How to Get an Apostille in Michigan
Educational information, not legal advice. Fees, addresses and processing times reflect the Michigan Department of State and can change. Confirm current details on the official michigan.gov/sos page before you mail anything.
Michigan apostille cost and time calculator
Enter how many documents you have and how you will submit them; the tool estimates the state fee and the usual processing window for that route.
How much does a Michigan apostille cost?
A Michigan apostille costs $1 per document, which is the lowest apostille fee in the United States; the same birth certificate that costs a dollar to apostille in Michigan runs $40 in Connecticut. Payment is by check or money order made payable to the State of Michigan, and you should not send cash. Because the state charge is so small, the real costs for most people are ordering the certified copy and paying for return shipping, since the Office of the Great Seal will not cover return postage. As always, any private service adds its own handling fee on top of the $1. Check today's fee before you send payment, because it is updated from time to time.
Who issues apostilles in Michigan?
Apostilles in Michigan are issued by the Department of State through the Office of the Great Seal in Lansing, a distinctively named office that plays the role the Secretary of State's division plays elsewhere. It authenticates the signature and seal of a Michigan notary or public official, issuing an apostille for Hague Convention countries and a certification for the rest. It handles Michigan documents only, so a document from another state goes to that state. Vital records must be certified copies from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services or a county clerk; a private document such as a power of attorney must be notarized by a Michigan notary, with all elements of the notarization in English.
How long does a Michigan apostille take?
A Michigan apostille is same day when handled in person at the Office of the Great Seal in Lansing, and appointments are available at select Secretary of State branch offices for in-person service closer to home. A mailed request is commonly processed in about two weeks once it arrives, since requests are handled in the order received, so allow more time during busy periods and add mail transit in each direction. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope or a completely filled-out prepaid air bill, because the office returns your document using the postage you provide rather than paying for it.
| Michigan apostille | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Department of State, Office of the Great Seal |
| State fee | $1 per document (lowest in the country) |
| In person | Lansing, same day; select branch offices by appointment |
| Mail processing | About 2 weeks from receipt |
| Mail address | Department of State, Office of the Great Seal, 7064 Crowner Blvd., Lansing, MI 48918-1750 |
| Foreign-language documents | Must include an English translation; notarization must be in English |
Can Michigan apostille an FBI background check?
No, Michigan 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 Lansing means it comes back unprocessed. The Office of the Great Seal authenticates documents issued or notarized in Michigan, such as a Michigan birth certificate from the Department of Health and Human Services or a power of attorney notarized by a Michigan notary. If a document is federal or from another state, it belongs to that authority instead.
Michigan apostille: frequently asked questions
- Who issues apostilles in Michigan?
- The Michigan Department of State, through the Office of the Great Seal in Lansing, for documents issued or notarized in Michigan.
- How much does a Michigan apostille cost?
- The state fee is $1 per document, the lowest in the country. Pay by check or money order payable to the State of Michigan; do not send cash.
- How long does a Michigan apostille take?
- In-person service at the Office of the Great Seal is same day, while mailed requests are commonly processed in about two weeks, not counting transit.
- Do foreign-language documents need a translation in Michigan?
- Yes. Documents in a foreign language must include a written English translation, and all elements of the notarization must be in English.
- Can Michigan apostille an FBI background check?
- No. The FBI background check is a federal document, so it bypasses the Michigan Office of the Great Seal and goes to the U.S. Department of State.
By the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal, Document Authentication and Apostille (michigan.gov/sos). Verify the latest fee and where to send it before relying on this page.