Northeast · NH
The Granite State
How to get an apostille in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, apostilles are issued by the New Hampshire Department of State — Apostilles & Certifications. Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a New Hampshire apostille looks like.
- Capital
- Concord
- Governor (2026)
- Kelly Ayotte
- State flower
- Purple Lilac
- State bird
- Purple Finch
Apostille signed by New Hampshire Department of State — Apostilles & Certifications
Step-by-step: an apostille in New Hampshire
- 01
Confirm the document is New Hampshire-issued or notarized by a New Hampshire notary or justice of the peace.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the Department 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 New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration or the town/city clerk.
- 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.
New Hampshire apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | New Hampshire Department 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 Concord. |
| Mailing / submission | Mail to the New Hampshire Department of State, in Concord (verify the current address online). Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage. |
Documents commonly apostilled in New Hampshire
- 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 New Hampshire.
Specimen
What a New Hampshire apostille looks like
A New Hampshire apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the New Hampshire Department 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 New Hampshire Department of State — Apostilles & Certifications
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
New Hampshire apostille FAQ
- Who can notarize documents in New Hampshire for an apostille?
- New Hampshire recognizes both notaries public and justices of the peace; either may notarize a document before it is apostilled by the Department of State.
- How do I get a New Hampshire apostille?
- Get the document notarized or certified, then submit it to the Department of State in Concord with the fee and destination country.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the New Hampshire apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the New Hampshire Department of State — Apostilles & Certifications via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.
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