Certified Translation Services in Grand Rapids, MI
Apostille Authentications prepares certified translations for people in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from $65 per page, and most are ready in 1 to 2 business days. Each one comes with a signed certificate of accuracy. We work remotely from the Portland, Oregon area: you upload your document through the quote form and the translation comes back electronically or by mail. We can also have the translator’s statement notarized and help with a Michigan apostille.
Upload your document below as a PDF, JPEG, PNG or Word file, or call (971) 514-3743 for a quote.
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Michigan apostilles from Grand Rapids: the 28th Street counter
Apostilles and certificates of authority in Michigan come from the Department of State’s Office of the Great Seal. Grand Rapids is one of the few cities outside Lansing where the Department of State accepts authentication requests in person. Its FAQ lists the Grand Rapids location as 3665 28th Street SE, Centerpointe Mall 6-B.
The Department of State says in-person authentication is by appointment only, on Mondays or Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. The fee is $1 per document and there is no expedited option. If you would rather mail the request, it goes to Lansing with the Authentication Request Form, and the state gives a turnaround of 1 to 2 weeks.
| Fee | $1 per document, by check or money order payable to the State of Michigan |
|---|---|
| Grand Rapids counter | 3665 28th Street SE, Centerpointe Mall 6-B, by appointment |
| Mail address | Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal, 7064 Crowner Drive, Lansing, MI 48918 |
| Mail turnaround | 1 to 2 weeks, plus a self-addressed stamped return envelope |
What the Great Seal office expects of a translated document
The state’s guidance says documents in foreign text presented for authentication must have all elements of the notarization in English and need a written English translation. A notarized document must show the notary’s name, signature, date of notarization, commission expiration date and county of commission.
When a translation has to be notarized for Michigan, for example for a Michigan apostille, we hire a notary commissioned in Michigan to notarize the translator’s statement. Vital records are handled differently: the state authenticates certified copies issued by the Michigan State Registrar or a county clerk, not photocopies.
Kent County records and the courts in downtown Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is the seat of Kent County. The Kent County Clerk’s office keeps birth, death and marriage records for the county and issues certified copies. A certified copy from the county clerk is one of the record types the Office of the Great Seal accepts for authentication.
Two trial courts share the Kent County Courthouse at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW.
- 61st District Court. 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Handles criminal, traffic, general civil, small claims and landlord-tenant cases, and publishes ADA and language access information.
- 17th Circuit Court. Kent County’s circuit court, listed by the county among its courts.
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan. Gerald R. Ford Federal Building, 110 Michigan St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
USCIS filings prepared in Grand Rapids
Federal regulation 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) requires any document containing foreign language submitted to USCIS to be accompanied by a full English translation that the translator has certified as complete and accurate, together with the translator’s certification of competence to translate from that language into English.
Our certificate of accuracy is written to those two points. USCIS decides what it accepts in each case, so we cannot promise an outcome.
Transcripts for Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University, which has a campus in downtown Grand Rapids, tells international applicants that official transcripts not in English must be accompanied by an official English translation. It also states that it does not accept transfer credit evaluations conducted by other institutions or private credential evaluation services, so check with admissions before paying for an evaluation.
Language figures for the city
Census Bureau QuickFacts reports that 16.4 percent of Grand Rapids residents age 5 and older speak a language other than English at home, and that 11.1 percent of residents were born outside the United States (2020 to 2024 estimates). The city’s population estimate for July 1, 2025 is 201,183.
Our most requested languages are Spanish, Russian, Hindi, Urdu, Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic and Czech. We work in 100 languages in total, so ask about any language you do not see listed.
Ordering from Grand Rapids
There is no office to visit. The whole order is handled online and by phone at (971) 514-3743, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Upload. Send a PDF, JPEG, PNG or Word file through the quote form.
- Confirm. We reply with the price, from $65 per page, and the timing, usually 1 to 2 business days.
- Receive. The certified translation arrives electronically or by mail, with the signed certificate of accuracy.
- Add on. Tell us if you need the translator’s statement notarized or help with the apostille.
Related services for Grand Rapids
- Michigan document translation services: the statewide rules for courts, notaries, vital records and driver licensing
- Michigan apostille service
- All document translation services
Grand Rapids translation questions
Apostille Authentications provides certified translations to Grand Rapids residents remotely. You upload the document through the quote form and receive the translation with a signed certificate of accuracy electronically or by mail.
Our certified translations start at $65 per page. Most are ready in 1 to 2 business days.
The Michigan Department of State lists a Grand Rapids location at 3665 28th Street SE, Centerpointe Mall 6-B, for document authentication. It says in-person service is by appointment only on Mondays or Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The Michigan Department of State charges $1 per document and offers no expedited service. Mailed requests go to the Office of the Great Seal in Lansing and take 1 to 2 weeks according to the state.
The federal rule, 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), asks for a full English translation certified by the translator as complete and accurate, plus a statement of the translator’s competence. It does not mention notarization.
GVSU states that official transcripts not in English must be accompanied by an official English translation. It also says it does not accept credit evaluations from private credential evaluation services.
Sources
The local details on this page come from these official sources.
- Michigan Department of State: document authentication and apostille
- Michigan Department of State: document authentication FAQ
- 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), eCFR
- 61st District Court, address
- Kent County Clerk, vital records
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
- GVSU international undergraduate admissions requirements
- Census QuickFacts, Grand Rapids
Get your Grand Rapids translation started
Upload your document for a quote, or call (971) 514-3743 and tell us where the translation is going. We confirm the level of certification you need before any work begins.