Tacoma Apostille Service in Washington
Apostille Request Form
Tacoma’s apostille work has two big sources: Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the Port of Tacoma. Military families heading to assignments in Germany, Italy, Japan and Korea often need apostilled birth and marriage certificates for host-country residence, schooling or a local marriage; service members who married abroad need U.S. documents recognized there.
Exporters around the port need company documents, certificates of origin and invoices accepted by foreign customs and buyers. University of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran and UW Tacoma graduates need diplomas for work abroad. We review each document, file it with the Secretary of State in Olympia, about 30 minutes south of Tacoma, and ship it back.
Who Apostilles Tacoma Documents?
Documents issued in Washington are apostilled by the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations Division, Apostille and Certificate Program, at 801 Capitol Way South in Olympia. The state fee is $15 per document; standard processing takes about 7 to 10 business days, and same-day service is available in person for an extra fee. The document must carry the signature of a Washington official or a Washington notary with a complete notarial certificate. FBI background checks are federal and go to the U.S. Department of State.
Military records issued by a federal agency, like FBI checks, are federal documents and go to the U.S. Department of State.
Pierce County Offices Tacoma Residents Use
Pierce County Auditor (marriage records)
Marriage licenses issued in Pierce County are recorded by the Pierce County Auditor, which provides certified copies. The Washington State Department of Health also issues marriage certificates.
Pierce County Superior Court Clerk (divorce and court records)
Certified divorce decrees, adoption orders and name changes come from the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk in Tacoma. Ask for a certified copy.
Birth and death certificates
Order certified copies from the Washington State Department of Health or Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. The Department of Health can also forward a new certificate to the Secretary of State for an apostille when you order it.
Documents We Apostille for Tacoma Clients
- Military families: birth and marriage certificates, divorce decrees and powers of attorney for overseas assignments.
- Export: certificates of origin, commercial invoices and company documents for Port of Tacoma shippers.
- Academic: University of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran University and UW Tacoma diplomas and transcripts.
- Federal: FBI background checks.
How Our Tacoma Apostille Service Works
Tacoma clients mail documents. Military families on short notice should call first; we prioritize orders tied to a report date.
- Call (360) 998-7302 or use the form above. We confirm the document and destination country first.
- Send or bring the document to our Vancouver office: 201 NE Park Plaza, Suite 221, Vancouver, WA 98684.
- We file it with the Washington Secretary of State in Olympia ($15 state fee per apostille).
- We return it to you or ship it abroad, with tracking.
Countries that need legalization instead
For non-Hague countries such as the UAE, Qatar, Vietnam and Egypt, the document needs embassy legalization after state certification. We quote that process before starting.
Tacoma Apostille Cost and Timing
Tacoma orders follow our standard Washington pricing.
- Washington apostille: $195 for the first document and $65 for each additional document, plus the $15 state fee per apostille.
- Timing: about 10 business days, depending on state processing.
- FBI background check apostille: $195 regular (5+ weeks) or $390 expedited (about 10 business days).
- Certified translation: $65 per document, usually 1 to 2 business days.
Tacoma Apostille FAQ
We are PCSing to Germany. Which documents need an apostille?
Usually birth certificates for children and your marriage certificate, especially if a spouse will work or a child will attend a local school. Check your orders and the host-country requirements; we can help confirm.
Where do I get a Pierce County marriage certificate?
From the Pierce County Auditor or the Washington State Department of Health.
Can you apostille export documents for a Tacoma shipper?
Yes, once they are signed before a Washington notary. Some countries also need embassy legalization.
Do I have to go to Olympia myself?
No. We file with the Secretary of State for you.
How long does it take?
About 10 business days for Washington documents, plus shipping.
Start Your Tacoma Apostille
Call (360) 998-7302 or use the request form above. Tell us what the Tacoma document is and which country it is going to, and we will confirm the right version before you send it. More detail is on our Washington apostille service page.