
South · MS
The Magnolia State
How to get an apostille in Mississippi
In Mississippi, apostilles are issued by the Mississippi Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications. Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a Mississippi apostille looks like.
- Capital
- Jackson
- Governor (2026)
- Tate Reeves
- State flower
- Magnolia
- State bird
- Northern Mockingbird
Apostille signed by Mississippi Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications
Step-by-step: an apostille in Mississippi
- 01
Confirm the document is Mississippi-issued or notarized by a Mississippi notary public.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the Mississippi 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 Mississippi State Department of Health (Vital Records).
- 04
Complete the apostille/certification 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.
Mississippi apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | Mississippi Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications |
|---|---|
| State fee | $5 per document (verify current fee) |
| Processing time | Mail-in is typically 1–2 weeks; in-person service is available in Jackson. |
| Mailing / submission | Mail to the Mississippi Secretary of State, Apostilles/Certifications, in Jackson (verify the current address online). Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage. |
Documents commonly apostilled in Mississippi
- 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 Mississippi.
Specimen
What a Mississippi apostille looks like
A Mississippi apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the Mississippi Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications 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 Mississippi Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
Mississippi apostille FAQ
- Where do I get an apostille in Mississippi?
- The Mississippi Secretary of State's office in Jackson issues apostilles and certifications, by mail or in person.
- How do I apostille a Mississippi birth certificate?
- Order a certified copy from the Mississippi State Department of Health, then submit it to the Secretary of State for the apostille.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the Mississippi apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the Mississippi Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.
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