How to Get an Apostille in New Jersey

Educational information, not legal advice. Fees, addresses and processing times reflect the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services and can change. Confirm current details on the official DORES page before you mail anything.

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Who issues apostilles in New Jersey?

Apostilles in New Jersey are issued by the Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, known as DORES, not by a Secretary of State office. This surprises people who followed instructions written for other states, because most states route apostilles through the Secretary of State. In New Jersey the authority attests to the standing of New Jersey notaries public and certain public officials, including Superior Court judges, county clerks and the State Registrar of Vital Statistics. If a private document is involved, such as a power of attorney, DORES authenticates the notary's commission rather than your signature directly, so the paper must be notarized by a New Jersey notary first. The apostille that results is recognized in countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention, while non-member countries receive a certification instead.

How much does a New Jersey apostille cost?

A New Jersey apostille costs $25 per document as the state fee, with a reduced $5 per certificate for documents used in an adoption. If you attach a notarized English translation to a vital record, DORES issues two apostilles and charges two fees, so plan for that. Payment for the apostille itself is handled during the online order through the DORES portal. A notary's fee, when your document needs notarizing first, is separate and paid to the notary, not to the state. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the official page before submitting.

How long does a New Jersey apostille take?

A mailed New Jersey apostille commonly takes around 20 business days from the date DORES receives it, not counting mail time in each direction. If you need it faster, the in-person route at the Trenton counter is handled on an expedited basis, often the same or the next business day. Timeframes are not guaranteed and stretch during busy periods, so if a foreign deadline is looming, the in-person option or an overnight courier for both legs is the safer path. Order online first either way, because the printed confirmation sheet has to travel with your documents.

How do you get an apostille in New Jersey, step by step?

You order online, submit the original document with the confirmation sheet, and DORES returns it with the apostille attached. The route below is the standard process.

1. Check the document is New Jersey's: issued in New Jersey or notarized by a New Jersey notary. Out-of-state records go to their own state.
2. Notarize private documents first: a power of attorney or affidavit needs a New Jersey notary before DORES can authenticate it.
3. Order on the DORES portal: pay the fee and print the order confirmation cover sheet.
4. Submit originals: mail to the Trenton PO Box, or hand-deliver to the counter for expedited service, with a prepaid return envelope.
5. Receive it: DORES staples the apostille to the signature page; do not remove it once attached.

Can New Jersey apostille an FBI background check?

No, New Jersey cannot apostille an FBI background check, because that is a federal document authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. This is the mistake that costs people the most time: they mail a federal report to Trenton and it comes back unprocessed. DORES only authenticates documents bearing the signature of a New Jersey notary or an authorized New Jersey public official. A birth or marriage certificate issued in New Jersey does qualify, as does a New Jersey-notarized power of attorney, but anything federal goes to the federal office instead.

By the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (Apostilles and Certifications, nj.gov). Rates and addresses can move, so check the official source first.