ALASKA · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Alaska
In Alaska, apostilles are not issued by a Secretary of State — the state has none. The sole authority is the Office of the Lieutenant Governor's Authentications Department in Juneau, which apostilles documents for Hague Convention countries and issues a Certificate of Authority for countries outside the Convention. Because service is centralized in Juneau and largely handled by mail, most Alaskans send originals in and wait on postal turnaround. Translation HelpDesk pairs your Alaska apostille with certified translation at $0.05/word (most civil documents run $15-25), backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge and a free 250-word sample.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Alaska — Authentications Department (Juneau). Alaska has no Secretary of State; the Lieutenant Governor is the sole authority that issues apostilles and, for non-Hague countries, Certificates of Authority.
HOW IT WORKS IN ALASKA
Getting an Apostille in Alaska
First, make sure your document qualifies: it must be notarized by an Alaska-commissioned notary public, or be an original record signed by an Alaska state official (for example, a birth or marriage record from the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics). Mail the original documents to the Office of the Lt. Governor, Authentications Department, P.O. Box 110015, Juneau, AK 99811 — write "Authentications" on the envelope to speed handling — and include your contact information, the return address, the destination country, and the $5.00-per-certificate fee. You can pre-screen documents before mailing by emailing scans of only the notarized pages to apostille@alaska.gov, and you can reach the office by phone at (907) 465-4081. The office confirms whether you need an apostille (Hague countries) or a Certificate of Authority (non-Hague countries), which is why naming the destination country is required.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
Sequence matters: apostille the original English document first, then have the certified translation done — and translate both the document and the apostille certificate together so the receiving country can read the seal it is relying on. The most common Alaska mistake is translating first and mailing the translation to Juneau, but the Lt. Governor authenticates the notary's or state official's signature on the original record, not a translation, so a translated copy gets rejected. For foreign documents coming into the U.S., reverse it: get the apostille in the origin country, then order certified English translation of the document and its apostille here.
Translation HelpDesk provides the certified English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)) that USCIS accepts, and can advise on whether you need the apostille before or after translation for your specific document and destination.
FEES & TIMING
Cost & Turnaround
Apostille fee: Alaska's state apostille fee is $5.00 per certificate (confirm the current amount and accepted payment methods with the Lt. Governor's office before mailing). That is separate from translation: Translation HelpDesk charges $0.05/word, with most civil documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates landing around $15-25 each.
Typical processing: The Lt. Governor's office aims to process and return orders the same day or within about 2-3 business days of receipt, plus mailing time each way — so build in postal transit from and back to Alaska. Translation HelpDesk delivers most certified translations in 24-48 hours, so translation is rarely the bottleneck.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Alaska — is there a Secretary of State?
No. Alaska does not have a Secretary of State. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor's Authentications Department in Juneau is the only office that issues apostilles and Certificates of Authority in the state.
Should I translate my document before or after the apostille?
Apostille the original English document first, then translate. Have the certified translation cover both the document and the apostille certificate. Sending a translated copy to Juneau for apostille is the top reason Alaska requests get bounced, because the Lt. Governor authenticates the signature on the original record, not a translation.
What is the difference between an apostille and a Certificate of Authority?
An apostille is used for countries in the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. Countries not in the Convention require a Certificate of Authority instead. Alaska's Lt. Governor issues whichever your destination country needs, which is why you must name the country when you apply.
How much does an Alaska apostille and certified translation cost?
The state charges $5.00 per certificate (verify the current fee before mailing). Certified translation from Translation HelpDesk is $0.05/word, with most civil documents around $15-25. We also offer a free 250-word sample.
How long does the whole process take?
The Lt. Governor's office typically returns orders the same day to a few business days after receipt, plus round-trip mailing time to Juneau. Our certified translations are usually ready in 24-48 hours, so plan mainly around Alaska's postal transit.
Do I need an apostille for USCIS or U.S. immigration?
No. USCIS and most U.S. agencies only require a certified English translation, not an apostille — apostilles are for using documents abroad. If you are filing in the U.S., you can skip the Juneau step and just order certified translation, backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge.