Pennsylvania Apostille: Fees, Processing Time & How to Order (2026)
Pennsylvania apostilles are issued by the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions for $15 per document. Mail orders take about 5–10 business days; counter service by appointment is available — appointment only, same-visit processing in harrisburg.. Documents headed to a non-Hague country need authentication and embassy legalization instead of an apostille.
| Government fee | $15 per document |
|---|---|
| Competent authority | Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions |
| Mail processing | 5–10 business days |
| Counter option | counter service by appointment — Appointment only, same-visit processing in Harrisburg. |
| County pre-certification | Not required |
| Payment | check, money order |
| Official page | Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions → |
Check your exact Pennsylvania steps
Prefilled for this page. Open the full Pathway Checker →
Step-by-step: order a Pennsylvania apostille by mail
- Get the right certified copy. Pennsylvania vital records come from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records.
- Prepare a cover sheet. Include a signed cover sheet naming the destination country, payment payable to the authority above, and a prepaid return envelope. Confirm exact requirements on the official page linked in sources.
- Add payment. Pay $15 per document by check or money order, payable to the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions.
- Include a return envelope. Add a prepaid, trackable return envelope so your apostille comes back safely.
- Mail it to the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions and keep your tracking number. Mail turnaround is about 5–10 business days.
Walk-in / same-day option
Appointment only, same-visit processing in Harrisburg. Bring the certified document, a completed cover sheet, and payment. Counter rules change often, so confirm hours on the official page before you drive in.
Which documents can Pennsylvania apostille?
These are state-issued documents. Each guide covers the exact copy type and steps for that document in Pennsylvania.
| Birth certificate | A certified copy of a birth record, apostilled by the issuing state for use abroad. |
| Diploma / degree certificate | A diploma, typically notarized, apostilled for work or teaching abroad. |
| Marriage certificate | A certified marriage record apostilled by the state that recorded it. |
| Power of attorney | A notarized power of attorney apostilled for property or banking acts abroad. |
| Single status affidavit | A sworn affidavit of no marriage record, apostilled — a near-universal foreign-marriage requirement. |
| Notarized document | Any notarized document (consent letters, copies, statements) apostilled by the state. |
| Academic transcript | A sealed or notarized transcript apostilled for foreign admission or credential evaluation. |
| Death certificate | A certified death record apostilled for foreign probate, insurance, or repatriation. |
| State police / background check | A state criminal-history record apostilled when an FBI check is not demanded. |
| Corporate documents | Articles, good-standing certificates, and resolutions apostilled for foreign business use. |
| Divorce decree / judgment | A court-certified divorce judgment apostilled for remarriage or status proof abroad. |
| Adoption documents / home study | Court-certified or notarized adoption paperwork apostilled for intercountry adoption. |
| Certified translation + affidavit | A translator's notarized affidavit apostilled to accompany a translated document. |
Federal documents are different
Some documents never go to Pennsylvania. FBI background checks, IRS letters (like Form 6166), and naturalization certificates are federal — they go only to the U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications, at $20 per document. If you hold one of these, start at the federal channel guide instead.
Going to a non-Hague country?
If your destination is not a Hague Apostille Convention member, an apostille is not enough. You need the Pennsylvania authority's certification, then US Department of State authentication, then embassy legalization. Use the Country Checker to see your destination's chain, or read apostille vs. authentication.
Common rejection reasons in Pennsylvania
- Submitting a photocopy or a hospital souvenir certificate instead of a certified copy.
- Wrong or missing payment — Pennsylvania expects check or money order payable to the authority.
- No return envelope, or an untracked one, which stalls the whole order.
Frequently asked questions
＋How much does an apostille cost in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions charges $15 per document. That is the government fee only — you pay separately for the certified copy and return shipping. Federal documents cost $20 at the US Department of State instead.
＋How long does a Pennsylvania apostille take?
Mail processing runs about 5–10 business days. You can also use counter service by appointment — Appointment only, same-visit processing in Harrisburg..
＋Can I get a Pennsylvania apostille in person?
Yes. Appointment only, same-visit processing in Harrisburg. Bring the certified document, payment, and a completed cover sheet.
＋Does an old birth certificate still work for a Pennsylvania apostille?
Age is usually fine as long as it is a current certified copy with the registrar's seal. Pennsylvania vital records come from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records.
＋Do notarized documents need extra steps in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania apostilles notarized documents directly — there is no county-clerk pre-certification step.
Neighboring states
Sources
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor
Last verified: July 13, 2026 against the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions and the HCCH status table(official page). See how we verify and how often on ourmethodology page.
This is informational, not legal advice. The receiving authority sets the final requirements — confirm with them and the office named above before you send anything.