Midwest · IA
The Hawkeye State
How to get an apostille in Iowa
In Iowa, apostilles are issued by the Iowa Secretary of State — Notary & Authentications. Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a Iowa apostille looks like.
- Capital
- Des Moines
- Governor (2026)
- Kim Reynolds
- State flower
- Wild Prairie Rose
- State bird
- American Goldfinch
Apostille signed by Iowa Secretary of State — Notary & Authentications
Step-by-step: an apostille in Iowa
- 01
Confirm the document is Iowa-issued or notarized by an Iowa notary public.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the Iowa 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, obtain a certified copy from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Vital Records).
- 04
Complete the authentication request and identify 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.
Iowa apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | Iowa Secretary of State — Notary & Authentications |
|---|---|
| State fee | $5 per document |
| Processing time | Mail-in is typically 1–2 weeks; in-person service is available in Des Moines. |
| Mailing / submission | Mail to the Iowa Secretary of State, Notary/Authentications, in Des Moines (verify the current address online). Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage. |
Documents commonly apostilled in Iowa
- 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 Iowa.
Specimen
What a Iowa apostille looks like
A Iowa apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the Iowa Secretary of State — Notary & 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 Iowa Secretary of State — Notary & Authentications
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
Iowa apostille FAQ
- Does Iowa issue apostilles by mail?
- Yes. The Iowa Secretary of State accepts mail-in authentication requests; include the fee, destination country, and a prepaid return envelope.
- How long does an Iowa apostille take?
- Mail-in processing is typically one to two weeks; in-person service in Des Moines is faster. Confirm current timelines on the official page.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the Iowa apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the Iowa Secretary of State — Notary & Authentications via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.
Need it done for you?
Rather not deal with the Iowa paperwork yourself?
This guide is free to use. If you’d like a service to prepare, notarize where needed, and submit your documents for you — including federal documents and translations — tell us what you need and we’ll point you to the right help.