How to Get an Apostille in Montana

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

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Who issues apostilles in Montana?

Apostilles in Montana are issued by the Secretary of State through the Notary and Certifications Division in Helena. The office provides state certification for notarized or certified documents that will be used in a foreign country, issuing an apostille for Hague Convention countries and an authentication for the rest. It handles Montana documents only, so a document issued in another state goes to that state's authority. A private document such as a power of attorney must be notarized by a Montana notary first, while a document from a state department, such as a vital record or a certificate of good standing, must be an original or certified copy from that department; those state-issued records do not need prior notarization.

Can you request a Montana apostille online?

Yes, Montana offers an online portal where you can start the request and pay the fee, which is not something every state provides. You complete the request and payment online, then mail the original certified or notarized document to the Notary and Certifications Division so the office can attach the apostille. Paying online can save a step, but the physical original still has to reach Helena, so plan for mail time either way. If you prefer, you can skip the portal and send a paper Certification Request Form with a check or money order instead. Either path ends the same way, with the office authenticating the signature and returning your document.

How much does a Montana apostille cost?

A Montana apostille costs $10 per document, whether you pay through the online portal or by check or money order made payable to the Montana Secretary of State. As always, the $10 is the state charge only, and any private service adds its own handling fee on top. One practical note specific to Montana: a payment or a document submitted without the matching payment is held for processing for no more than 90 days from receipt, so send the correct fee with the document rather than expecting the office to hold an unpaid packet indefinitely. Since the fee can change, check the current figure before you submit.

How long does a Montana apostille take?

A Montana apostille is commonly processed within a few business days of the office receiving it, though the realistic total is dominated by mail transit given the state's size and rural geography. The Secretary of State strongly recommends a priority service with tracking when you send original documents, and asks you to include a pre-addressed stamped envelope or a prepaid shipping label for the return. Note the two different addresses: regular mail goes to the Helena P.O. Box, while FedEx and UPS shipments go to the 6th Avenue street address. Choosing the right one for your carrier avoids a delivery that bounces back.

Can Montana apostille an FBI background check?

No, Montana 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 Helena means it comes back unprocessed. The Montana Secretary of State authenticates documents issued or notarized in Montana, such as a Montana birth certificate or a power of attorney notarized by a Montana notary. Federal documents and those from other states each go back to their own authority.

By the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Montana Secretary of State, Apostilles & Authentications (sosmt.gov). Confirm the current fee and where to mail it before you proceed.