South · TN
The Volunteer State
How to get an apostille in Tennessee
In Tennessee, apostilles are issued by the Tennessee Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications. Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a Tennessee apostille looks like.
- Capital
- Nashville
- Governor (2026)
- Bill Lee
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- Iris
- State bird
- Northern Mockingbird
Apostille signed by Tennessee Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications
Step-by-step: an apostille in Tennessee
- 01
Confirm the document is Tennessee-issued or notarized by a Tennessee notary public.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the Tennessee 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 Tennessee Department of Health (Office of 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.
Tennessee apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | Tennessee Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications |
|---|---|
| State fee | $2 per document (verify current fee) |
| Processing time | Mail-in is typically 1–2 weeks; in-person service is available in Nashville. |
| Mailing / submission | Mail to the Tennessee Secretary of State, Apostilles/Authentications, in Nashville (verify the current address online). Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage. |
Documents commonly apostilled in Tennessee
- 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 Tennessee.
Specimen
What a Tennessee apostille looks like
A Tennessee apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the Tennessee Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications 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 Tennessee Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
Tennessee apostille FAQ
- Where do I get an apostille in Tennessee?
- The Tennessee Secretary of State's office in Nashville issues apostilles and authentications, by mail or in person.
- How much is a Tennessee apostille?
- Tennessee's per-document fee is historically low (around $2). Confirm the current fee on the Secretary of State's page.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the Tennessee apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the Tennessee Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.
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