Why does New York need a county clerk certification first?

For notarized documents, the county clerk where the notary is commissioned must certify the notary's signature before the Department of State will issue the apostille. This is a step unique to New York's process.

Where do I get a New York City birth certificate apostilled?

NYC birth and death records are issued by the NYC Department of Health, not the state. Get the certified copy from NYC first, then submit it to the NYS Department of State for the apostille.

How fast is a New York apostille?

In-person service in New York City or Albany can be same-day; mail-in requests take longer, often a few weeks. Confirm current timelines on the official page.

Northeast · NY

The Empire State

How to get an apostille in New York

In New York, apostilles are issued by the New York Department of State — Apostille & Certification Unit. Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a New York apostille looks like.

Capital: Albany
Governor (2026): Kathy Hochul
State flower: Rose
State bird: Eastern Bluebird

Apostille signed by New York Department of State — Apostille & Certification Unit

Draft — pending source verification. This page was drafted from the standard New York 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 New York

01
Confirm the document is New York-issued or notarized by a New York notary public.
02
For notarized documents, the county clerk where the notary is qualified must first certify the notary's signature before the Department of State issues the apostille.
03
For vital records, obtain a certified copy — NYC birth/death records come from the NYC Department of Health; the rest of the state from the NYS Department of Health (and the NYC Marriage Bureau for NYC marriages).
04
Complete the apostille/certification request and identify the destination country.
05
Submit by mail or in person at the New York City or Albany office with the fee and a prepaid return envelope.
06
Receive your apostille or certificate of authentication.

New York apostille fees & processing time

Competent authority	New York Department of State — Apostille & Certification Unit
State fee	$10 per document
Processing time	Mail-in is typically 2–3+ weeks; in-person service is available in New York City and Albany (often same-day).
Mailing / submission	Mail to the New York Department of State, Apostille & Certification Unit, in Albany (verify the current address online). In-person counters operate in New York City and Albany. Include the $10-per-document fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage.

Source: New York Department of State — Apostille & Certification Unit — https://dos.ny.gov/apostille-or-certificate-authenticationDraft — verify fees, address, and steps against the official page before relying on them.

Documents commonly apostilled in New York

Birth, marriage, and death certificates (note NYC records come from NYC agencies, not the state)
Powers of attorney, affidavits, and single-status documents
Diplomas and transcripts from New York institutions
Corporate documents — articles, good-standing certificates, resolutions

Federal documents (such as an FBI background check) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not by New York.

Specimen

What a New York apostille looks like

A New York apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the New York Department of State — Apostille & Certification Unit 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 New York Department of State — Apostille & Certification Unit
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 New York. Contains no real names, numbers, signatures, or government seal. Not legal advice.

New York apostille FAQ

Why does New York need a county clerk certification first?: For notarized documents, the county clerk where the notary is commissioned must certify the notary's signature before the Department of State will issue the apostille. This is a step unique to New York's process.
Where do I get a New York City birth certificate apostilled?: NYC birth and death records are issued by the NYC Department of Health, not the state. Get the certified copy from NYC first, then submit it to the NYS Department of State for the apostille.
How fast is a New York apostille?: In-person service in New York City or Albany can be same-day; mail-in requests take longer, often a few weeks. Confirm current timelines on the official page.

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

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