How to Get an Apostille in Iowa

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

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Who issues apostilles in Iowa?

Apostilles in Iowa are issued by the Secretary of State's Business Services office in Des Moines. The office authenticates the signature and seal of an Iowa notary or public official, issuing an apostille for Hague Convention countries and a certification for the rest. It handles Iowa documents only, so a document issued or notarized in another state must go to that state's authority. A private document such as a power of attorney, a diploma or a transcript must be notarized by an Iowa notary first, because the state authenticates that notary's active commission rather than your own signature. Vital records and court documents are certified by the issuing office instead of being notarized.

How much does an Iowa apostille cost?

An Iowa apostille costs $5 per document, one of the lowest fees in the country, and that single fee applies regardless of how many pages the document has. What sets Iowa apart on payment is that it accepts major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover, as well as checks, while a good number of states are check-or-money-order only. You should not mail cash. As everywhere, the $5 is the state charge alone, and a private service adds its own handling on top. Because fees can change, confirm the current one before sending payment.

How long does an Iowa apostille take?

An Iowa apostille at the counter in Des Moines is often completed the same day, and a mailed request is commonly processed in about two business days once it arrives, not counting transit in each direction. Walk-in orders are accepted during counter hours, roughly from the morning through mid-afternoon, so time your visit accordingly. Because Iowa is one of the faster states, most people do not need to expedite; a trackable outbound envelope and a prepaid return envelope keep the whole round trip predictable. Add the time to obtain a certified vital record first, since that comes from a separate office.

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

You prepare the notarized or certified document, complete the form, and submit it with the $5 fee. The route below is the standard process.

1. Get the right document: a certified copy or a document notarized by an Iowa notary.
2. Complete the request form: the Apostille or Certification Request Form; any handwriting must be block-printed.
3. Prepare payment and return postage: $5 per document by check or card, plus a prepaid return envelope.
4. Submit in person or by mail: walk in during counter hours or mail to the Lucas Building office.
5. Receive it: often same day at the counter; about two business days by mail.

Can Iowa apostille an FBI background check?

No, Iowa cannot apostille an FBI background check, because it is a federal document authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Mailing a federal report to Des Moines means it comes back unprocessed. The Iowa Secretary of State authenticates documents issued or notarized in Iowa, such as an Iowa birth certificate from the Department of Health and Human Services or a power of attorney notarized by an Iowa notary. Those belong to another office, be they federal or from a different state.

By the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services (Apostille or Certification Request Form, sos.iowa.gov). Before mailing, make sure the fee and address are still current.