Utah is one of the states that catches people out on a technicality: apostilles are issued by the Lieutenant Governor’s office rather than a Secretary of State, because Utah does not have a separate Secretary of State. Documents sent to a “Utah Secretary of State” have nowhere to land.
Beyond that quirk the process is standard. If your record was issued in Utah, or notarized by a Utah-commissioned notary, Utah is the authority that certifies it, wherever you live now.
We have people in Utah, so you can drop a document off and collect it, book a mobile notary who travels to you anywhere in the state, or mail it in. Utah sees a high volume of documents going abroad for missionary service, international study, and family history work, which brings its own patterns.
Utah vital records come from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records and Statistics, or from a local health department. What gets apostilled is a certified copy with the official seal, not a photocopy.
At a glance
Utah documents we apostille most often
| Document | Where it comes from | Notarization |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | UT Office of Vital Records | Not required |
| Marriage certificate | County clerk | Not required |
| Death certificate | UT Office of Vital Records | Not required |
| Divorce decree | District court clerk | Not required, needs court seal |
| Power of attorney | You | Required, Utah notary |
| Diploma or transcript | Your school | Usually required |
| Background check | Utah BCI | Not required, state-level check |
| Corporate records | UT Division of Corporations | Depends on the document |
Utah-specific things worth knowing
- There is no Utah Secretary of State. Apostilles come from the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Paperwork addressed otherwise causes delays.
- Utah moved to a universal certificate in July 2026, replacing the separate apostille and certificate of authentication formats. Most guidance published before then still describes the old two-format system.
- The notary must be Utah-commissioned for a Utah apostille on a private document.
- Marriage records come from the county clerk where the licence was issued, not from Vital Records.
- A Utah BCI background check is a state document and goes to Utah. An FBI check is federal and goes to the U.S. Department of State instead, which is a frequent mix-up.
- Missionary and study-abroad paperwork often runs to deadlines set by an institution rather than a government office. Tell us the date and we will confirm whether it is achievable.
How it works
Step 1
Get us the document
Drop it at our Utah office, book a mobile notary to come to you, or mail it in. We can also retrieve a certified copy.
Step 2
We check it first
We confirm the copy is certified and correctly sealed, and notarized where needed, before submitting.
Step 3
Lieutenant Governor apostille
We submit to the correct Utah office and pay the state fee, which is included in your price.
Step 4
Back to you
Collect at our office, shipped tracked and insured, or scanned and emailed as soon as it is issued.
Utah Apostille: common questions
Who issues apostilles in Utah?
The Lieutenant Governor’s office. Utah has no Secretary of State, so documents sent to one have nowhere to go. We submit to the right office as a matter of course.
Is a Utah BCI background check the same as an FBI check?
No, and this matters. A BCI check is a Utah state document and goes to Utah. An FBI check is federal and goes to the U.S. Department of State. Many destinations specifically require the FBI one, so check which you were asked for.
I live outside Utah but my document is from Utah. What do I do?
Mail it to us or have us retrieve a certified copy. Only the document needs to reach Utah, not you.
Can a mobile notary come to me?
Yes, anywhere in Utah. That is usually the simplest route for a power of attorney, since it has to be signed in front of the notary rather than beforehand.
How long does a Utah apostille take?
Typically four to seven business days once we have a correct document, plus shipping. See processing times.
Official sources
Requirements, fees and processing times are set by the authorities below and can change without notice. Verify anything time-critical directly with them.
Utah Authentications (Lieutenant Governor) · Utah authentications FAQ
Ready to get started?
Book online for an exact price, or drop your document at our Utah office.
Related: Arizona apostille · California apostille · FBI background check · Processing times