Wisconsin documents are apostilled by the Wisconsin Secretary of State in Madison. If your document was issued in Wisconsin, or notarized by a notary commissioned in Wisconsin, that is the only office that can certify it, wherever you live now.
Wisconsin apostilles come from the Secretary of State in Madison, $10 standard or $35 expedited. The office needs one original for each apostille, so three apostilles means three originals.
We handle Wisconsin orders by mail from anywhere in the country, and a mobile notary can come to you anywhere in Wisconsin when a document needs signing first. The state fee is already inside our price, along with the submission and return shipping.
At a glance
Wisconsin documents we apostille most often
| Document | Where it comes from | Notarization |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | The Wisconsin Vital Records Office, or the county register of deeds | Not required, certified copy |
| Marriage certificate | The register of deeds | Not required, certified copy |
| Death certificate | The Wisconsin Vital Records Office, or the county register of deeds | Not required, certified copy |
| Divorce decree | Clerk of the court that granted it | Not required, needs court seal |
| Power of attorney, affidavit | You | Required, Wisconsin notary |
| Diploma or transcript | Your school | Usually required |
| Company documents | WI Secretary of State | Certified copies, or notarized if company-issued |
| FBI check, IRS, USCIS | Federal agency | Federal, goes to the U.S. Dept. of State |
Not sure which you have? Send it through the free review and we will tell you before you pay. No usable copy? We can order a certified copy.
Wisconsin-specific things worth knowing
- One original per apostille. If two authorities each keep a copy, you need two certified originals.
- The county register of deeds issues certified vital records as well as the state.
- The notary must be commissioned in Wisconsin. A document notarized across a state line goes to that state instead.
- Federal documents never go to WI Secretary of State. An FBI background check, IRS letter or naturalization certificate is apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. See federal apostille.
How it works
Step 1
Send us the document
Post the original in, book a mobile notary who comes to you anywhere in Wisconsin, or have us retrieve a certified copy.
Step 2
We check it first
We confirm the copy is certified, correctly sealed, and notarized where needed, before any state fee is paid.
Step 3
Apostille from WI Secretary of State
We submit to Madison and pay the $10 state fee, which is already included in your price.
Step 4
Back to you
Shipped tracked and insured, or scanned and emailed as soon as it is issued.
Wisconsin Apostille: common questions
Who issues apostilles in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin Secretary of State, in Madison. Documents issued in Wisconsin, or notarized by a Wisconsin notary, go there.
How much does a Wisconsin apostille cost?
The state charges $10 ($35 expedited). Our price starts at $99 per document and already includes that fee, so there is nothing extra to pay the state. See pricing.
Does Wisconsin need a county certification first?
No. Wisconsin certifies its notaries and officials directly, so a correct document goes straight to the state.
My document is federal. Can Wisconsin apostille it?
No. An FBI background check, IRS letter, USCIS document or federal court record carries a federal signature, so it goes to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., whichever state you live in. See federal apostille.
I live outside Wisconsin. Can I still get a Wisconsin apostille?
Yes. The state that issued the document decides the office, not where you live. Post it to us from anywhere and we submit it in Madison.
How long does a Wisconsin apostille take?
It depends on the state’s current queue plus shipping. See processing times for what we are seeing now, and ask about rush if you have a deadline.
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.
Wisconsin Secretary of State, apostilles · CDC: Where to Write for Vital Records
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Book online for an exact price, including the Wisconsin state fee.
Related: Apostille by state · Illinois apostille · Minnesota apostille · Michigan apostille · Federal apostille