South · AR
The Natural State
How to get an apostille in Arkansas
In Arkansas, apostilles are issued by the Arkansas Secretary of State — Authentications. Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a Arkansas apostille looks like.
- Capital
- Little Rock
- Governor (2026)
- Sarah Huckabee Sanders
- State flower
- Apple Blossom
- State bird
- Northern Mockingbird
Apostille signed by Arkansas Secretary of State — Authentications
Step-by-step: an apostille in Arkansas
- 01
Confirm the document is Arkansas-issued or notarized by an Arkansas notary.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the Arkansas Secretary of State authenticates the notary's commission, not your signature directly. Vital records and court documents skip this step (they are certified by the issuing office instead).
- 03
For vital records, order a certified copy from the Arkansas Department of Health (Vital Records).
- 04
Complete the authentication request and name the destination country.
- 05
Submit by mail or in person with the fee and a prepaid return envelope.
- 06
Receive your apostille or certificate of authentication.
Arkansas apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | Arkansas Secretary of State — Authentications |
|---|---|
| State fee | $10 per document |
| Processing time | Mail-in is typically 1–2 weeks; in-person service in Little Rock is faster. |
| Mailing / submission | Mail to the Arkansas Secretary of State, Business & Commercial Services, in Little Rock (verify the address online). Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage. |
Documents commonly apostilled in Arkansas
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates (certified copies from the state vital-records office)
- Divorce decrees and court orders (certified by the clerk of court)
- Powers of attorney and affidavits (signed before a notary)
- Single-status / no-record affidavits for marriage abroad
- Diplomas, transcripts, and degree certificates
- Corporate documents — articles of incorporation, good-standing certificates, board resolutions
- Commercial and export documents
Federal documents (such as an FBI background check) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not by Arkansas.
Specimen
What a Arkansas apostille looks like
A Arkansas apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the Arkansas Secretary of State — Authentications as the issuing authority. Below is an illustrative specimen — it is not a valid document and contains no real data.
See specimens for all states →- 1.Country United States of America
- 2.has been signed by [NAME OF SIGNER]
- 3.acting in the capacity of [CAPACITY — e.g. Notary Public]
- 4.bears the seal / stamp of [ISSUING OFFICIAL / SEAL]
- 5.at [CITY / PLACE]
- 6.the [DATE]
- 7.by Arkansas Secretary of State — Authentications
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
Arkansas apostille FAQ
- Does Arkansas issue apostilles by mail?
- Yes. The Secretary of State accepts mail-in authentication requests; include a prepaid return envelope so the finished document can be sent back to you.
- What is the difference between an apostille and an authentication in Arkansas?
- An apostille is used for Hague Convention countries; an authentication (certificate) is issued for countries that are not members of the Convention.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the Arkansas apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the Arkansas Secretary of State — Authentications via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.
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