How to Get an Apostille in Georgia: Complete 2026 Guide

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille (pronounced "ah-po-STEEL") is an internationally recognized certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document so foreign governments and institutions will accept it. It was established by the Hague Convention of 1961 and is accepted in more than 120 countries worldwide.

Think of an apostille as a passport for your documents. Without one, a birth certificate, diploma, or notarized affidavit issued in the United States may not be recognized overseas. With an apostille attached, foreign authorities know the document and any signatures on it are legitimate.

In Georgia, apostilles are issued by the Georgia Secretary of State's Notary Division — the only office authorized to authenticate Georgia-issued documents for international use.

Which Documents Need an Apostille?

Any public or notarized document that will be used in a Hague Convention country may need an apostille. Common documents include:

• Birth certificates — for foreign residency, citizenship applications, and international marriages
• Marriage certificates — required for spousal visas and legal name changes abroad
• Death certificates — for estate settlement and probate in foreign jurisdictions
• Diplomas and academic transcripts — required by many foreign universities and employers
• Powers of attorney — for authorizing someone to act on your behalf in another country
• Corporate documents — articles of incorporation, bylaws, board resolutions
• Background checks — FBI identity history summaries for immigration or foreign employment
• Notarized affidavits — sworn statements for foreign legal proceedings

If you're unsure whether your specific document needs an apostille, the safest approach is to ask the receiving institution abroad — they'll know exactly what they require.

Does Georgia Require Notarization Before an Apostille?

It depends on the document type:

• Government-issued vital records (birth, marriage, death certificates issued by Georgia) are already public documents and can be apostilled directly — no notarization needed.
• Private documents (powers of attorney, affidavits, diplomas, corporate docs) typically require notarization before the Secretary of State will apostille them. A commissioned Georgia notary must notarize the document first.
• FBI background checks have their own process — they must be authenticated at the federal level before state apostille in some cases.

Working with a professional apostille service provider (like Atlanta Notary Mobile) means you don't have to figure out each document's path yourself — we handle the notarization and submission in a single appointment.

Step-by-Step: How to Get an Apostille in Georgia

Step 1 — Determine What You Need

Confirm with the receiving institution abroad what they require. Sometimes they want a certified copy of the document apostilled; other times the original. Knowing this before you start prevents costly mistakes.

Step 2 — Notarize the Document (If Required)

For private documents, you'll need a Georgia-commissioned notary to notarize the document first. The notary's signature and seal must be current — expired notary commissions or seals will cause rejection. A mobile notary can come to your home, office, or hospital room to handle this step.

Step 3 — Submit to the Georgia Secretary of State

You can submit in person or by mail to the Georgia Secretary of State's Notary Division in Atlanta. You'll need to include:

• The original document (or certified copy)
• A completed apostille request form
• The filing fee ($3–$10 per document)
• A self-addressed return envelope (for mail submissions)

Step 4 — Wait for Processing

Standard Georgia Secretary of State processing takes 5–10 business days. Expedited options may be available during lower-volume periods. Plan ahead — if you have a visa appointment, closing date, or enrollment deadline, don't wait until the last minute.

Step 5 — Retrieve Your Apostilled Document

The Secretary of State will attach the apostille certificate to your document (via ribbon or staple) and return it to you. At that point, your document is ready for international use.

How Much Does an Apostille Cost in Georgia?

There are two components to the cost:

• Georgia Secretary of State fee: $3–$10 per document (paid directly to the state)
• Professional service fee (if using a service provider): typically $75 for the first document, $50 per additional document in the same session

If you're handling the submission yourself, you only pay the state fee. The trade-off is your time — the Secretary of State's office has limited walk-in hours, and mail submissions add extra days to the process.

Can I Get Multiple Documents Apostilled at Once?

Yes. The Georgia Secretary of State can process multiple documents in a single submission. If you're using a service provider, they can typically handle an entire package of documents — birth certificate, marriage certificate, power of attorney — in a single appointment, then submit them together.

What If My Document Was Issued in Another State?

Each apostille must come from the state that issued the document. If your birth certificate was issued in Florida, you'll need Florida's Secretary of State to apostille it, not Georgia's. A Georgia notary can still help notarize portions of the process, but the final apostille must match the document's origin.

How Atlanta Notary Mobile Can Help

Navigating the apostille process on your own takes time, knowledge, and a willingness to make multiple trips to government offices. Our apostille services in Atlanta handle every step:

• We come to your location to review and notarize documents
• We personally submit to the Georgia Secretary of State
• We retrieve the apostilled documents and return them to you

Whether you need one document or a full package, we've helped Atlanta-area residents and businesses navigate international document requirements for years.

Frequently Asked Questions