Midwest · ND
The Peace Garden State
How to get an apostille in North Dakota
In North Dakota, apostilles are issued by the North Dakota Secretary of State — Notary & Authentications (Apostilles). Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a North Dakota apostille looks like.
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- Kelly Armstrong
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Apostille signed by North Dakota Secretary of State — Notary & Authentications (Apostilles)
Step-by-step: an apostille in North Dakota
- 01
Confirm the document is North Dakota-issued or notarized by a North Dakota notary public.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the North Dakota 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 Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (Vital Records).
- 04
Complete the apostille/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 Dakota apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | North Dakota Secretary of State — Notary & Authentications (Apostilles) |
|---|---|
| State fee | $10 per document (verify current fee) |
| Processing time | Mail-in is typically 1–2 weeks; in-person service is available in Bismarck. |
| Mailing / submission | Mail to the North Dakota Secretary of State, in Bismarck (verify the current address online). Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage. |
Documents commonly apostilled in North Dakota
- 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 Dakota.
Specimen
What a North Dakota apostille looks like
A North Dakota apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the North Dakota Secretary of State — Notary & Authentications (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 Dakota Secretary of State — Notary & Authentications (Apostilles)
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
North Dakota apostille FAQ
- How do I get an apostille in North Dakota?
- Have your document notarized or certified, then submit it to the North Dakota Secretary of State in Bismarck with the fee and destination country.
- How long does a North Dakota apostille take?
- Mail-in processing is typically one to two weeks; in-person service in Bismarck is faster. Confirm current timelines online.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the North Dakota apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the North Dakota Secretary of State — Notary & Authentications (Apostilles) via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.
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