Document authentication costs depend mainly on one question: is the destination country part of the Hague Apostille Convention? If it is, you pay one state or federal apostille fee, usually $10 to $20 per document. If it is not, you pay for U.S. authentication and then embassy legalization, which adds embassy fees and more steps. This guide breaks down both routes, the government fees, our 2026 service fees and the other costs to plan for.
The Two Routes and What Each Costs
Apostille (Hague Convention countries)
One certificate from the state that issued the document, or from the U.S. Department of State for federal documents. This is the cheapest and fastest route. As of October 2026 there are 130 contracting parties; see our list of apostille countries.
Authentication and embassy legalization (other countries)
The document is first authenticated by the state and, for many countries, by the U.S. Department of State. The destination country’s embassy or consulate then legalizes it. Each step has its own fee and processing time, and embassy fees vary widely by country and document type. See apostille vs authentication for the difference.
| Apostille | Authentication and legalization | |
|---|---|---|
| Government steps | 1 | 2 to 3 |
| Government fees | One state or federal fee | State and/or federal fee plus embassy fee |
| Typical timeline | Same day to several weeks | Several weeks or longer |
Government Fees
| Office | Fee per document |
|---|---|
| U.S. Department of State (federal documents, FBI checks) | $20, Form DS-4194 |
| Oregon Secretary of State | $10 |
| Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth | $10 |
| Washington Secretary of State | $15 |
| Texas Secretary of State | $15 |
| California Secretary of State | $20 |
| Foreign embassy or consulate legalization | Set by each embassy |
State fees are taken from each state’s official page; see our apostille cost guide for sources and details. Fees change, so confirm the current amount before filing.
Our Service Fees in 2026
| Service | Our fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| State apostille | From $195; additional documents $65 each, plus the state fee | Depends on the state; same-day available for Oregon, Washington, Texas and Virginia documents |
| Federal apostille (U.S. Department of State) | From $195; additional documents $65 each, plus the $20 federal fee | 5+ weeks |
| Expedited FBI apostille | $390 | About 10 business days |
| Embassy legalization | Quoted by country | Depends on the embassy |
| Certified translation | $65 per page | Quoted per order |
See our pricing page for packages, including FBI fingerprinting.
Other Costs to Plan For
- Certified copies. Vital records offices charge for certified birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates.
- Notarization. Private documents such as powers of attorney and affidavits must be notarized first.
- FBI background check. $18 when requested directly from the FBI, plus fingerprinting if needed.
- Translations. Many countries require a certified translation of the document and sometimes of the apostille. See whether to translate before or after the apostille.
- Shipping. Tracked domestic and international return shipping.
- Re-filing. A rejected document has to be fixed and filed again, which costs both fees and time. Our list of common apostille mistakes shows how to avoid this.
Document Authentication Cost FAQ
How much does document authentication cost?
For Hague countries, usually a $10 to $20 government fee per document, plus a service fee if you use one. For other countries, add U.S. authentication and the embassy’s legalization fee.
What is the difference between an apostille and authentication?
An apostille is a single certificate for Hague Convention countries. Authentication is used for other countries and is followed by embassy legalization.
Why is embassy legalization quoted separately?
Every embassy sets its own fees, rules and appointment process, so we confirm the current requirements for your country before quoting.
Is the government fee included in your service fee?
No. Our service fee is shown separately, and government fees are added at cost.
Get an exact quote
Contact us with your documents and destination country, and we will confirm the route and total cost before you send anything.
Related guides: Complete Guide to Getting Documents Apostilled: Requirements, Process & Timeline · Apostille Service Costs: A Complete Guide to Authentication Fees and Expenses in 2024