Where do I get an apostille in Maryland?

The Maryland Secretary of State's office in Annapolis issues apostilles and authentications, by mail or in person (an appointment may be required).

How long does a Maryland apostille take?

Mail-in requests can take a couple of weeks. Confirm current processing times and appointment requirements on the official page.

South · MD

The Old Line State

How to get an apostille in Maryland

In Maryland, apostilles are issued by the Maryland Secretary of State — Authentications & Apostilles. Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a Maryland apostille looks like.

Capital: Annapolis
Governor (2026): Wes Moore
State flower: Black-eyed Susan
State bird: Baltimore Oriole

Apostille signed by Maryland Secretary of State — Authentications & Apostilles

Draft — pending source verification. This page was drafted from the standard Maryland process and the official source linked below. Always confirm the current fee, address, and steps on the official page before you mail anything.

Step-by-step: an apostille in Maryland

01
Confirm the document is Maryland-issued or notarized by a Maryland notary public.
02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the Maryland 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 Maryland Department of Health (Division of 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.

Maryland apostille fees & processing time

Competent authority	Maryland Secretary of State — Authentications & Apostilles
State fee	$5 per document (verify current fee)
Processing time	Mail-in is typically 2–3 weeks; in-person service is available in Annapolis (appointment may be required).
Mailing / submission	Mail to the Maryland Secretary of State, Authentications, in Annapolis (verify the current address online). Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage. In-person service may require an appointment.

Source: Maryland Secretary of State — Authentications & Apostilles — https://sos.maryland.gov/Certifications/Pages/Certifications-Authentications.aspxDraft — verify fees, address, and steps against the official page before relying on them.

Documents commonly apostilled in Maryland

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 Maryland.

Specimen

What a Maryland apostille looks like

A Maryland apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the Maryland Secretary of State — Authentications & Apostilles 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 →

APOSTILLE

(Convention de La Haye du 5 octobre 1961)

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 Maryland Secretary of State — Authentications & Apostilles
8.No. 0000000
9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
10.Signature [SIGNATURE]

SPECIMEN — NOT A VALID DOCUMENT. Illustrative example only, showing the standard apostille layout for Maryland. Contains no real names, numbers, signatures, or government seal. Not legal advice.

Maryland apostille FAQ

Where do I get an apostille in Maryland?: The Maryland Secretary of State's office in Annapolis issues apostilles and authentications, by mail or in person (an appointment may be required).
How long does a Maryland apostille take?: Mail-in requests can take a couple of weeks. Confirm current processing times and appointment requirements on the official page.

Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the Maryland apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the Maryland Secretary of State — Authentications & Apostilles via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.

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