Louisiana Apostille Service
Louisiana apostilles are issued by the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commissions Division, in Baton Rouge. The state fee is $20 per document ($10 for adoption documents). Walk-in service runs Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
| Issuing office | Louisiana Secretary of State, Commissions Division |
|---|---|
| Where to send (USPS) | P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125 |
| Where to send (FedEx, UPS, DHL) | 8585 Archives Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70809 |
| State fee | $20 per document; $10 for adoption documents |
| In person | Walk-in, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| How to submit | In person, or by mail with a written request (authentication request form) and a prepaid return envelope |
| Our service fee | $195 per document, plus the state fee |
Fees checked October 2026 against the Louisiana Secretary of State.
Apostille Request Form
How long does an apostille take in Louisiana?
Walk-in requests are handled Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Louisiana Secretary of State does not publish a turnaround for mailed requests, so allow extra time and include a prepaid courier envelope for the return.
Allow extra time for shipping in both directions. A missing certification or the wrong type of copy sends a document back and restarts the clock, so we check yours before it is submitted.
An FBI background check is federal, not a Louisiana document. It goes to the U.S. Department of State, where regular processing takes 7 to 8 weeks. We offer an expedited FBI apostille in 10 business days.
How much does a Louisiana apostille cost?
The state fee is $20 per document, charged by the Louisiana Secretary of State, reduced to $10 per document for adoption-related documents. Our service fee is $195 per document, which covers document review, submission to the state and return of your originals. Processing time is 10 business days, depending on state delays. Shipping and translation are quoted separately.
How to get an apostille in Louisiana: step by step
- Get a certified copy from the Louisiana Department of Vital Records or the clerk of court, or have your document notarized by a Louisiana notary (printed name and notary ID number under the signature).
- Write a request naming the destination country and a daytime phone number (the state’s authentication request form covers this).
- Mail it with the fee and a prepaid return envelope to the Commissions Division, or walk it in to 8585 Archives Ave., Baton Rouge.
What to watch for with Louisiana documents
- Vital records and clerk of court documents do not need notarizing, but photocopies are not accepted.
- Notarized documents must show the notary’s printed name and notary ID number, or they are returned.
- The state will not pay for return shipping; include a prepaid envelope or label.
- Louisiana does not handle FBI background checks; those are federal.
Personal documents
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Death Certificate
- Divorce decrees and judgment
- Naturalization Certificate
- Adoption dossier
- Copy of passport
- Copy of drivers license
- Deeds and wills
- Single status affidavit
- Car or automobile title
- Travel authorization
- State police record
- FBI background record
- No Record Of Marriage
- Apostille Agreement
Corporate documents
- Certificates of incorporation
- Certificates of good standing
- Certificates of origin
- Trademarks/patents
- Business power of attorney
- FDA certificates
- Invoices and free sale certificates
- Department of the Treasury (Form 6166)
- Foreign government certificate CFG
Academic documents
- University/college diploma or transcripts
- High School diplomas or transcripts
- Attendance Certificates
Along with the request form, you’ll need to mail in your original document or certified copy. Make sure to include a self-addressed and stamped return envelope so they can mail your document back once it’s been apostilled. Apostille authentication recommends using tracked mail both ways to ensure safe delivery.
This apostilled document can then be presented along with your original document to authorities overseas as proof that it is valid and came from a genuine source.
How we help with your Louisiana apostille
You can file an Louisiana apostille yourself with the Louisiana Secretary of State. Many people use us because a rejected document costs more time than the fee.
- We check your document first. Send a photo or scan. We confirm it is the right version, signed by the right official, before anything is submitted.
- We fix what is missing. If your document needs notarizing, a new certified copy, or a county or court certification, we arrange it.
- We submit and collect. We send your documents to the Louisiana Secretary of State in Baton Rouge and return the apostilled originals by tracked courier, in the US or abroad.
- We handle the federal side too. FBI background checks and other federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State, not the state. We do both.
- You can talk to a person. Call (971) 514-3743 or request a video consultation.
Our fee: $195 per document, plus the Louisiana state fee ($20 per document). 100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.
You can also mail your documents to us from anywhere, or visit our offices in Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Vancouver, Herndon and Houston.
Do you need a translation?
An apostille confirms the signature on your document. It does not translate it. If the country you are sending it to does not use English, the receiving office will usually ask for a certified translation as well.
We provide certified translation, so your Louisiana document can be apostilled and translated in one order. Each translation comes with a signed certificate of accuracy.
Order matters. Some countries want the translation done after the apostille so the apostille page is translated too; others have their own translator requirements. Tell us the country and we will confirm the correct order before you pay. Contact us for a translation quote.
Related apostille services
Louisiana apostille FAQ
How much does a Louisiana apostille cost?
The state fee is $20 per document ($10 for adoption documents), charged by the Louisiana Secretary of State. Our service fee is $195 per document, plus the state fee.
How long does a Louisiana apostille take?
Walk-in requests are handled Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The state does not publish a turnaround for mailed requests, so allow extra time for processing and shipping.
Where do I get a Louisiana apostille?
Louisiana apostilles are issued by the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commissions Division, at 8585 Archives Ave., Baton Rouge.
Can Louisiana apostille my FBI background check?
No. FBI background checks are federal and are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. We handle that for $195 with regular processing in 7 to 8 weeks, or $390 expedited in 10 business days.
Do I need an apostille or an authentication?
Countries in the Hague Apostille Convention accept an apostille. Other countries need a certificate of authentication followed by embassy legalization. Tell us the country and we will confirm which applies.
Can you apostille a Louisiana document if I live outside Louisiana?
Yes. Mail us the document from anywhere in the world and we return it by tracked courier.
Source: Louisiana Secretary of State. Last checked October 2026.