Midwest · MO
The Show-Me State
How to get an apostille in Missouri
In Missouri, apostilles are issued by the Missouri Secretary of State — Commissions (Apostilles & Notary). Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a Missouri apostille looks like.
- Capital
- Jefferson City
- Governor (2026)
- Mike Kehoe
- State flower
- Hawthorn
- State bird
- Eastern Bluebird
Apostille signed by Missouri Secretary of State — Commissions (Apostilles & Notary)
Step-by-step: an apostille in Missouri
- 01
Confirm the document is Missouri-issued or notarized by a Missouri notary public.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the Missouri 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 Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (Bureau of Vital Records).
- 04
Complete the apostille 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.
Missouri apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | Missouri Secretary of State — Commissions (Apostilles & Notary) |
|---|---|
| State fee | $10 per document (verify current fee) |
| Processing time | Mail-in is typically 1–2 weeks; in-person service is available in Jefferson City and Kansas City/St. Louis offices. |
| Mailing / submission | Mail to the Missouri Secretary of State, Commissions Division, in Jefferson City (verify the current address online). Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage. |
Documents commonly apostilled in Missouri
- 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 Missouri.
Specimen
What a Missouri apostille looks like
A Missouri apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the Missouri Secretary of State — Commissions (Apostilles & Notary) 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 Missouri Secretary of State — Commissions (Apostilles & Notary)
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
Missouri apostille FAQ
- Where can I get an apostille in Missouri?
- The Missouri Secretary of State's Commissions Division handles apostilles, with service in Jefferson City and other offices plus a mail-in option.
- How much is a Missouri apostille?
- Missouri's per-document fee is commonly around $10. Confirm the current fee on the Secretary of State's page.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the Missouri apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the Missouri Secretary of State — Commissions (Apostilles & Notary) 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 Missouri 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.