South · KY
The Bluegrass State
How to get an apostille in Kentucky
In Kentucky, apostilles are issued by the Kentucky Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications. Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a Kentucky apostille looks like.
- Capital
- Frankfort
- Governor (2026)
- Andy Beshear
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- Goldenrod
- State bird
- Northern Cardinal
Apostille signed by Kentucky Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications
Step-by-step: an apostille in Kentucky
- 01
Confirm the document is Kentucky-issued or notarized by a Kentucky notary public.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the Kentucky 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 Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.
- 04
Complete the apostille/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.
Kentucky apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | Kentucky Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications |
|---|---|
| State fee | $5 per document (verify current fee) |
| Processing time | Mail-in is typically 1–2 weeks; in-person service is available in Frankfort. |
| Mailing / submission | Mail to the Kentucky Secretary of State, Apostilles/Authentications, in Frankfort (verify the current address online). Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage. |
Documents commonly apostilled in Kentucky
- 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 Kentucky.
Specimen
What a Kentucky apostille looks like
A Kentucky apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the Kentucky Secretary of State — Apostilles & 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 Kentucky Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
Kentucky apostille FAQ
- How do I get an apostille in Kentucky?
- Get your document notarized or certified, then submit it to the Kentucky Secretary of State's apostille office by mail or in person with the fee and destination country.
- Does Kentucky issue authentications for non-Hague countries?
- Yes. For countries not in the Hague Convention, Kentucky issues a certificate of authentication, which may then require consular legalization.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the Kentucky apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the Kentucky Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.
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