What to Know About Getting an Apostille in North Carolina in 2026

In today’s globally connected world, jetting off overseas to live, work, study, conduct business, or fall in love has become more common than ever before. This means demand for apostilles is surging, and residents of North Carolina are no exception. However, obtaining an apostille for your NC documents involves navigating a minefield of local and international requirements that can make the process feel like one bureaucratic hurdle after another.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be as messy as it appears. Read on to discover all the important details, as well as a few handy tips to ensure your North Carolina apostille is ready to pave the way for your dream adventure abroad.

Introduction to Apostilles in North Carolina

Before diving into the specifics, it makes sense to clarify what an apostille is, why it matters, and when it’s needed for North Carolina residents in 2026.

What an Apostille Is and Why It Matters

An apostille is a powerful form of international certification that serves as official authentication of your domestically issued documents, enabling their use in countries outside the U.S. The reason it matters is that without an apostille to verify your North Carolina paperwork, you won’t be able to use it for its intended purpose on foreign soil.

The Hague Apostille Convention and International Use

Apostilles were created under the Hague Apostille Convention to eliminate the need for the drawn-out, costly, and complex legalization process. It achieves this by removing redundant bureaucratic layers and replacing them with a single standardized certification that can be used across member countries with ease. 

Who Needs a North Carolina Apostille in 2026

Submitting your local paperwork without an apostille for international recognition and acceptance will likely result in your documents being rejected as unusable. For this reason, a North Carolina apostille is essential whenever you need to present your NC documents abroad. Some of the most common reasons include:

• Global work opportunities 
• Studying abroad
• Foreign visas, residency, and immigration 
• International business and trade
• Overseas marriages and other personal and family matters
• International legal and court-related affairs 

Who Issues Apostilles in North Carolina

It is vital to understand which state authority has the power to issue apostilles. This will help you avoid coordination mishaps that can cause confusion and lead to avoidable delays, potentially undermining your plans abroad. Here’s an overview of everything you need to know.

The North Carolina Secretary of State’s Authentication Office

In North Carolina, there is solely one department that possesses the power to issue apostilles: the North Carolina Secretary of State – Authentication Office. Based in Raleigh, the state capital, the office handles all apostille requests statewide.

Apostille vs. Authentication: Key Differences

While apostilles and authentication share the ultimate goal of having locally issued documents accepted overseas, the two are distinct and used in separate international contexts. Below is a rundown of the key differences:

• Hague countries: An apostille is the only certification needed in Hague countries, which removes the need for authentication, making it redundant.
• Non-Hague countries: Apostilles have no meaning in non-member states, whereas authentication is the first step toward legalization, which is the pathway for international document acceptance outside of convention countries.

Jurisdiction: When to Apostille in NC vs. U.S. Department of State

The primary factor determining whether to apostille documents at the state or federal level is the issuing authority. If your paperwork is state-issued or notarized in NC, it’s apostilled in NC. On the other hand, federal documents must be filed via the U.S. Department of State.

Which Documents Can Be Apostilled in North Carolina

There’s a wide array of documents that can be apostilled in North Carolina, and having a solid grasp of which ones qualify will help you determine whether you need one. Here’s a rundown.

Public and Government-Issued Records

This applies to documents issued by government agencies at the state or local level. Common public and government records include:

• Marriage, birth, and death certificates
• Divorce decrees 
• State-issued certificates, court documents, and judgments

Notarized Personal Documents

Conversely, notarized personal documents are private rather than public. These include: 

• Power of attorney  
• Affidavits 
• Authorization letters

Academic and Corporate Documents

For academic and corporate documents, there is a swathe of paperwork that can be apostilled in the state of North Carolina, including:

• Articles of incorporation 
• Diplomas and transcripts 
• Certificates of good standing 
• Degree and enrollment confirmation letters 
• Business contracts and resolutions 

Documents That Do Not Require Notarization

While many NC documents do require an extra layer of authentication via notarization, that’s not true across the board. Here are the documents that don’t need it:

• Certified vital records 
• State-issued certificates 
• Court paperwork that contains an official seal 

Pre-Apostille Requirements for North Carolina Documents

Each state, including North Carolina, has its own requirements that must be met before the apostille process can proceed without issues. 

Document Language: When Translations Are Needed

Documents submitted for apostille must be in English or accompanied by an English translation if required by the destination country. Translation requirements vary by country, and translations typically do not require apostilles unless specifically requested by foreign authorities.

Notarization Rules and True Copy Affidavits

If your paperwork falls into the category of needing notarization, there are strict guidelines that must be followed. This includes:

• Notarization by an NC-commissioned notary public
• A complete and properly worded notarial certificate, including a signature and official seal

If a document cannot be notarized, a notarized true copy affidavit may be accepted for certain private documents, but it cannot replace certified copies of vital records or court-issued documents.

Certified Copies From Government Agencies

When dealing with certified copies, notarization is not needed, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t rules that can make or break your apostille request, such as:

• Photocopies are not accepted and will not be processed for an apostille
• Must include and clearly display all required elements, including a signature and official seal

Date and Eligibility Criteria for Documents

To ensure your apostille request doesn’t get held up or hit with a denial stamp, bear in mind the following date and eligibility criteria:

• Documents must be certified or issued after April 1, 2000
• The destination country is a part of the Hague Convention 
• Documents are undamaged and clearly legible

Step-by-Step Process to Get an Apostille in North Carolina

To help take the uncertainty and stress out of what can feel like a complicated procedural quagmire, here’s a straightforward guide to walk you through the steps:

• Step 1: Confirm your destination country’s requirements
• Step 2: Prepare and notarize your documents
• Step 3: Complete the apostille/authentication request
• Step 4: Submit to the NC Secretary of State
• Step 5: Include payment and return shipping details

How to Submit Your Apostille Request

There are three ways to submit your apostille request to the North Carolina Secretary of State: hand-delivering in person, mailing it, or outsourcing to a courier or third party.

Mail-In Submission Instructions

If the trek to the department’s head office in downtown Raleigh doesn’t make sense, then using mail-in is a great option. However, the downside of this method is a slower turnaround time and inherent risks that come with using the postal service.

In-Person Submission at Raleigh Office

When a trip to Raleigh isn’t a major obstacle, then dropping off your submission in person may be the best option. This provides a faster turnaround and confidence that your submission was delivered properly. However, long departmental wait times and travel do make it less convenient.

Using Couriers or Third-Party Representatives

Using a courier or authorized representative helps streamline submission and follow-up with the Authentication Office. This option is particularly useful for applicants submitting from outside North Carolina or working within strict timelines, as it reduces administrative friction and the risk of avoidable delays.

Processing Times, Fees, and Payment Methods

Being well-versed in the processing times, fees, and payment methods will go a long way toward avoiding problems that could derail your request. Here’s what you need to know:

Current North Carolina Apostille Fees

The cost for apostilling in North Carolina is $10 per document, and the department accepts money orders or checks as payment methods.

Estimated Processing Times in 2026

Turnaround times are largely dependent on the type of submission you opt to use. Walk-ins are typically processed within days, whereas mail-ins can take up to several weeks. Professional services can reduce delays by managing submission accuracy, delivery, and follow-ups.

Expedited Options and Peak Period Considerations

Office backlogs, holidays, and peak periods can delay processing times, and the office doesn’t offer expedited options to bypass this. At One Source Process, however, we draw on our deep industry knowledge to expedite the process and deliver your apostille on time, no matter how tight the deadline.

Apostille vs. Legalization for Non-Hague Countries

Apostilles and legalization achieve the same result: recognition and acceptance of your documents overseas. However, the right option depends on whether your destination country is a Hague member state.

When an Apostille Alone Isn’t Enough

An apostille applies only to Hague Convention countries. If your destination country is not a member, your documents must follow a different legalization pathway, which involves additional authentication steps beyond the apostille process.

Additional Embassy/Consulate Legalization Steps

The full legalization process is a much more complex undertaking involving multiple agencies. Here are the steps:

1. Request and receive state or federal authentication 
2. Submit to the destination country consulate or embassy 
3. Once reviewed and approved, receive legalization

How to Plan for Countries With Extra Requirements

For non-Hague countries, be sure to allow more time and flexibility in your travel arrangements, as the legalization process is much longer and more complicated.

Leave the Details to the Experts

Having a solid understanding of the current apostille procedure in North Carolina is the best way to avoid roadblocks that could derail your plans abroad. Our market-leading team can handle this delicate process from start to finish, ensuring nothing stands in your way and removing the headaches and risks.

FAQs

Can someone submit on my behalf?

Yes. This is often the quickest and most convenient method.

Do translations need an apostille?

Sometimes. Hague member countries reserve the right to have their own rules, so it’s best to check with your destination country beforehand.

How long is an apostille valid?

An apostille doesn’t expire, but the document it authenticates does. 

What if my document was issued outside NC?

It must be apostilled in the state it was issued.