A good apostille service in Oregon knows which office issues your apostille, gets the notarization right the first time, and tells you the full price up front. This guide shows what to check before you hand over your documents.
What an apostille is
An apostille is a certificate that lets a public document from one country be accepted in another country that belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention. In Oregon, the Secretary of State issues apostilles for Oregon documents, such as vital records, court records and documents notarized by an Oregon notary.
Federal documents, such as an FBI background check, are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State instead. See our FBI apostille service.
What a good apostille service should do
- Send each document to the right office. Oregon documents go to the Secretary of State in Salem. Federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State. Documents from another state go to that state.
- Check the notarization before submitting. An incomplete notarial certificate is a common reason a document comes back.
- Know the extra steps for non-Hague countries. These also need embassy or consulate legalization.
- Handle translations in the right order. Some countries want the translation apostilled too. See translate before or after the apostille.
- Quote the full price. The state fee, notary fee, courier and service fee should all be listed.
- Tell you how you will get your documents back, by pick-up, mail or courier, and how to track them.
Warning signs
A price that leaves out the state fee, no address you could visit, or a promised turnaround the state doesn’t control are all reasons to slow down. We cover these red flags, what to do if a service took your money and didn’t finish, and what every state really charges in apostille scams and cheap online offers.
Oregon apostille basics
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuing office | Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division, 255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151, Salem, OR 97310 |
| State fee | $10 per document |
| Walk-in hours | Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm |
| Typical turnaround | 1 to 5 business days when Pac Signing hand-delivers it in Salem |
| In Portland? | No. Documents are authenticated only in Salem |
More detail is in our Oregon apostille quick reference guide. For diplomas, see how to apostille a diploma in Oregon.
How Pac Signing handles apostilles
We notarize what needs notarizing, check each document, hand-deliver Oregon documents to the Secretary of State in Salem, send other documents to the right office, and return them to you. Our offices are in Hillsboro, Beaverton, Lake Oswego and Vancouver, WA. Request an apostille quote or call (971) 394-4152.
FAQ
Can I get an apostille in Portland?
No. The Oregon Secretary of State authenticates documents only at its office in Salem, by mail or in person. A service can take or send your documents there for you.
How much does an Oregon apostille cost?
The state fee is $10 per document. Notarization, courier and service fees are extra, so ask for the total.
Who apostilles an FBI background check?
The U.S. Department of State, not the Oregon Secretary of State. An FBI check is a federal document.
Do I need an apostille or embassy legalization?
An apostille is enough for countries in the Hague Apostille Convention. Other countries also need legalization at their embassy or consulate.
Sources: Oregon Secretary of State and U.S. Department of State.