How to Get an Apostille in Idaho

Educational information, not legal advice. Fees, addresses and processing times reflect the Idaho Secretary of State and can change. Confirm current details on the official sos.idaho.gov page before you visit or mail anything.

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Do you need an appointment for an Idaho apostille?

Yes, Idaho handles apostilles and authentications by appointment only, which is the detail that catches people who assume they can walk in. You schedule an appointment online or by calling the Notary Division of the Secretary of State's office before you go. Appointment hours run in the morning and the afternoon, with a midday gap, so plan around that window. This is unusual: most states take walk-ins during business hours, while Idaho reserves counter time by appointment. If you cannot make an appointment work, the mail route is always open and does not require one. Booking ahead is the single biggest time-saver in Idaho.

Who issues apostilles in Idaho?

Apostilles in Idaho are issued by the Secretary of State through its Notary Division in Boise. The office authenticates the signature and seal of an Idaho notary or public official, issuing an apostille for Hague Convention countries and an authentication for the rest. It can only handle documents issued by Idaho officials or notarized by an Idaho notary, so a document notarized in another state has to go to that state instead. A private document such as a power of attorney or a school transcript must be notarized by an Idaho notary first, because the state authenticates that notary's commission rather than your own signature.

How much does an Idaho apostille cost?

An Idaho apostille costs $10 per document as the statutory fee, and helpfully a single document may include multiple pages under that one fee. Payment is by check or money order made payable to "Secretary of State," or by credit card. As everywhere, the $10 is the government charge only, and a private service adds its own handling on top, which is the larger part of any flat rate you see quoted. Because the fee is modest and flat, Idaho is inexpensive to do yourself once you have an appointment and a correctly notarized document. Since the fee can change, check the current figure before you submit.

How do you get an Idaho apostille, step by step?

You prepare the notarized or certified document, book an appointment, and submit it with the fee. The route below is the standard process.

1. Get the right document: a certified copy or a document notarized by an Idaho notary.
2. Complete the request form: the Idaho Apostille/Authentication Request Form, naming the destination country.
3. Book an appointment: schedule online or call the Notary Division; this is required for in-person service.
4. Submit with payment: $10 per document, plus a prepaid return envelope for mail.
5. Receive it: often same day at your appointment; a few business days by mail.

Can Idaho apostille an FBI background check?

No, Idaho cannot apostille an FBI background check, because it is a federal document authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Sending a federal report to Boise means it comes back unprocessed. The Idaho Secretary of State authenticates documents issued or notarized in Idaho, such as an Idaho birth certificate or a power of attorney notarized by an Idaho notary. Federal documents, and documents notarized in other states, go to their own authority instead.

By the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Idaho Secretary of State, Notary Division (Apostille & Authentication; Apostilles FAQ, sos.idaho.gov). Confirm the current fee and where to mail it before you proceed.