South · NC
The Tar Heel State
How to get an apostille in North Carolina
In North Carolina, apostilles are issued by the North Carolina Secretary of State — Authentication Division (Apostilles). Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a North Carolina apostille looks like.
- Capital
- Raleigh
- Governor (2026)
- Josh Stein
- State flower
- Flowering Dogwood
- State bird
- Northern Cardinal
Apostille signed by North Carolina Secretary of State — Authentication Division (Apostilles)
Step-by-step: an apostille in North Carolina
- 01
Confirm the document is North Carolina-issued or notarized by a North Carolina notary public.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the North Carolina 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 North Carolina Vital Records office (Department of Health and Human Services) or the register of deeds.
- 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.
North Carolina apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | North Carolina Secretary of State — Authentication Division (Apostilles) |
|---|---|
| State fee | $10 per document (verify current fee) |
| Processing time | Mail-in is typically 1–3 weeks; in-person service is available in Raleigh. |
| Mailing / submission | Mail to the North Carolina Secretary of State, Authentication Division, in Raleigh (verify the current address online). Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage. |
Documents commonly apostilled in North Carolina
- 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 North Carolina.
Specimen
What a North Carolina apostille looks like
A North Carolina apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the North Carolina Secretary of State — Authentication Division (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 →- 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 North Carolina Secretary of State — Authentication Division (Apostilles)
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
North Carolina apostille FAQ
- Where do I get an apostille in North Carolina?
- The North Carolina Secretary of State's Authentication Division in Raleigh issues apostilles and authentications, by mail or in person.
- How do I apostille a North Carolina diploma?
- Have the diploma notarized (or get a notarized true copy), then submit it to the Authentication Division with the fee and destination country.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the North Carolina apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the North Carolina Secretary of State — Authentication Division (Apostilles) via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.
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