Wisconsin Apostille Service
Wisconsin apostilles are issued by two offices in Madison: the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and the Secretary of State. Both charge $10 per document, or $35 expedited. DFI takes 3 to 7 business days; the Secretary of State takes 7 to 20 days.
| Issuing office | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and the Wisconsin Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Where to send | DFI: PO Box 7838, Madison, WI 53707-7838. Secretary of State: PO Box 7848, Madison, WI 53707-7848 |
| State fee | $10 per document; $35 expedited |
| Mail processing | 3 to 7 business days at DFI; 7 to 20 days at the Secretary of State |
| In person | Walk-ins accepted at the Secretary of State; expedited requests are generally same day |
| How to submit | Online order, mail or in person |
| Our service fee | $195 per document, plus the state fee |
Fees checked October 2026 against the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and the Wisconsin Secretary of State.
Apostille Request Form
How long does an apostille take in Wisconsin?
Mail requests: 3 to 7 business days at DFI; 7 to 20 days at the Secretary of State. In-person requests: walk-ins accepted at the Secretary of State; expedited requests are generally same day.
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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin apostille cost?
The state fee is $10 per document; $35 expedited, charged by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and the Wisconsin Secretary of State. 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 Wisconsin: step by step
- Choose the office. DFI issues apostilles for Hague Convention countries only. The Secretary of State also issues authentications for other countries.
- Get a certified vital record from a Register of Deeds or the Department of Health Services, or a document with a complete Wisconsin notarial certificate.
- Order online, by mail or in person.
What to watch for with Wisconsin documents
- Vital records cannot be notarized.
- Expedited service takes 1 to 2 business days at DFI and 2 to 4 at the Secretary of State.
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 Wisconsin apostille
You can file a Wisconsin apostille yourself with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and the Wisconsin Secretary of State in Madison 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 Wisconsin state fee ($10 per document; $35 expedited). 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 Wisconsin 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
Wisconsin apostille FAQ
How much does a Wisconsin apostille cost?
The state fee is $10 per document; $35 expedited, charged by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and the Wisconsin Secretary of State. Our service fee is $195 per document, plus the state fee.
How long does a Wisconsin apostille take?
Mail requests: 3 to 7 business days at DFI; 7 to 20 days at the Secretary of State. In-person requests: walk-ins accepted at the Secretary of State; expedited requests are generally same day.
Where do I get a Wisconsin apostille?
Wisconsin apostilles are issued by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and the Wisconsin Secretary of State in Madison.
Can Wisconsin 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 an authentication followed by embassy legalization. Tell us the country and we will confirm which applies.
Can you apostille a Wisconsin document if I live outside Wisconsin?
Yes. Mail us the document from anywhere in the world and we return it by tracked courier.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and the Wisconsin Secretary of State. Last checked October 2026.