How to Get an Apostille in Maryland
Educational information, not legal advice. Fees, addresses and processing times reflect the Maryland Secretary of State and can change. Confirm current details on the official sos.maryland.gov page before you mail anything.
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What is the extra circuit court step in Maryland?
In Maryland, a notarized document must be certified by the Clerk of the Circuit Court before the Secretary of State will apostille it, which is a step most states do not require. You take the notarized document to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the notary was commissioned; the county name is imprinted on the notary's seal, which tells you which courthouse to use. The clerk certifies the notary's signature, and only then does the document go to the Secretary of State in Annapolis for the apostille. Because of this chain, notarized documents are sometimes described as needing "triple certification." State-issued records, such as a vital record or a corporate good-standing certificate, skip the court step and go straight to the Secretary of State.
Who issues apostilles in Maryland?
Apostilles in Maryland are issued by the Secretary of State through the Certifications Desk in Annapolis. The office authenticates the signature and seal of a Maryland official or notary, issuing an apostille for Hague Convention countries and a certification for the rest. It handles Maryland documents only, so a document from another state goes to that state's authority. Common Maryland documents include birth and death certificates, marriage and divorce records, police records and corporate good-standing certificates. Vital records must be certified copies from the Maryland Center for Health Statistics or a county health department; hospital souvenir certificates and photocopies cannot be apostilled.
How much does a Maryland apostille cost?
A Maryland apostille costs $5 per document, one of the lower fees in the country, and the same $5 applies whether the document needs an apostille or a certification for a non-Hague country. Payment is by check or money order payable to the Maryland Secretary of State. Keep in mind that the circuit court step for notarized documents may carry its own separate certification fee at the courthouse, so a notarized document can cost a little more than a state-issued one overall. As always, the $5 is the Secretary of State's charge only, and a private service adds its own handling. Confirm the fee on the official page before submitting, since it changes periodically.
How long does a Maryland apostille take?
A Maryland apostille is same day when you walk in to the Annapolis office, with no appointment required, which makes an in-person visit worthwhile if you are nearby. A mailed request is commonly processed in a few business days once it arrives, not counting transit in each direction. For a notarized document, remember to build in the time for the circuit court certification first, since that happens at a separate office before the Secretary of State step. Include a prepaid return envelope so the finished document comes back promptly and securely.
| Maryland apostille | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Secretary of State, Certifications Desk |
| State fee | $5 per document (apostille or certification) |
| Notarized documents | Certified by the Clerk of the Circuit Court first |
| Walk-in | Annapolis office, same day, no appointment |
| Address | Office of the Secretary of State, Certifications Desk, 16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 |
| Federal documents | Go to the U.S. Department of State, not Maryland |
Can Maryland apostille an FBI background check?
No, Maryland cannot apostille an FBI background check, because it is a federal document authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The same is true of USCIS documents and consular reports of birth abroad. Sending a federal document to Annapolis means it comes back unprocessed. The Maryland Secretary of State authenticates documents issued or notarized in Maryland, such as a Maryland birth certificate or a power of attorney notarized by a Maryland notary and certified through the circuit court. Federal paperwork and other states' documents each have their own authority.
Maryland apostille: frequently asked questions
- Who issues apostilles in Maryland?
- The Maryland Secretary of State, through the Certifications Desk in Annapolis, for documents issued or notarized in Maryland.
- How much does a Maryland apostille cost?
- The state fee is $5 per document, whether an apostille or an authentication. Payment is by check or money order payable to the Maryland Secretary of State.
- What is the extra circuit court step in Maryland?
- A notarized document must first be certified by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the notary was commissioned, before the Secretary of State issues the apostille.
- How long does a Maryland apostille take?
- Walk-in service at the Annapolis office is same day, no appointment. Mailed requests are commonly processed in a few business days, not counting transit.
- Can Maryland apostille an FBI background check?
- No. Federal documents such as an FBI background check or USCIS records go to the U.S. Department of State, not the Maryland Secretary of State.
By the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Maryland Secretary of State, Certifications (sos.maryland.gov); Maryland People's Law Library. Confirm both the fee and the mailing address are current before you proceed.