ARIZONA · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Arizona
In Arizona, apostilles and authentications are issued only by the Arizona Secretary of State's Business Services Division, at the Phoenix office in the State Capitol Executive Tower or the Tucson office downtown. Translation HelpDesk provides the certified translation that goes with your apostilled Arizona document — birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, powers of attorney, background checks and more — at $0.05/word (most civil documents run $15-25), backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge. The state itself does not translate; it only certifies the notary or the custodian's signature, so your translation has to be handled separately and in the correct order. We serve all of Arizona from our Chihuahua, Mexico nearshore team, with a free 250-word sample and 24-48 hour turnaround.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Arizona Secretary of State, Business Services Division — Apostille/Authentication Department (offices in Phoenix and Tucson).
HOW IT WORKS IN ARIZONA
Getting an Apostille in Arizona
Only the Arizona Secretary of State issues apostilles (for Hague Convention countries) and certificates of authentication (for non-Hague countries) — no county or courthouse can do it. Your document must first be either notarized by an Arizona notary public or be a certified/certified-recorded original from an Arizona custodian, such as a state-issued birth or marriage certificate; documents recorded in another state must be certified by that state first. You then submit the original document plus the Secretary of State's Apostille/Authentication Request form, by mail to the Apostille Department at 1700 W. Washington Street, 7th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85007, or in person at either the Phoenix office or the Tucson office at 400 W. Congress Street, Suite 221. The standard state filing fee is about $3 per document, with a walk-in expedite fee (recently around $25) and a limit of six documents per visit — always confirm the current fee before you go. Note that Arizona does not issue electronic apostilles.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
Certified translation and the apostille are two separate steps, and the order matters. For most Hague countries the safe sequence is to apostille the original English document first, then have the apostilled packet (including the apostille certificate itself) translated, so nothing on the final document is left in a language the receiving office can't read. Some countries instead require a sworn or certified translation before the apostille. The most common Arizona mistake is translating too early and leaving the apostille page untranslated, or assuming the Secretary of State will accept or attach a translation — it will not. Ask the receiving foreign office exactly what it needs, then send us the document and we translate it in the right order.
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: The Arizona state apostille filing fee is roughly $3 per document, plus a walk-in expedite fee (recently about $25, per visit, up to six documents) — verify the current amounts with the Secretary of State before submitting. Our certified translation is separate: $0.05 per word, with most single civil documents (birth, marriage, death certificates) landing in the $15-25 range.
Typical processing: Arizona Secretary of State: mail requests typically 10-20 business days (plus mailing time each way); in-person walk-ins in Phoenix or Tucson are usually same-day. Our certified translation: 24-48 hours.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Arizona?
The Arizona Secretary of State, Business Services Division, is the only authority that issues apostilles and certificates of authentication in Arizona. You can submit by mail to the Phoenix Apostille Department or walk in at the Phoenix (State Capitol Executive Tower) or Tucson office. No county recorder or court can issue an apostille.
Should I translate my document before or after the Arizona apostille?
For most Hague Convention countries, apostille the original English document first, then have the full apostilled packet translated so the apostille certificate itself is also in the target language. Some countries require a certified translation before the apostille. Confirm with the receiving foreign office, then we translate in the correct order.
Does the Arizona Secretary of State translate my document or accept a translation?
No. The Secretary of State only certifies the Arizona notary's or custodian's signature — it does not translate documents or attach translations. The certified translation is a separate step you arrange with us, which is why the order of operations matters.
How much does an Arizona apostille cost, and how long does it take?
The state filing fee is about $3 per document, with a walk-in expedite fee (recently around $25) and a six-document-per-visit limit — always verify the current fee. Mail requests generally take 10-20 business days; in-person visits are usually same-day. Our certified translation is $0.05/word (most civil documents $15-25) in 24-48 hours.
My birth certificate is from another state but I live in Arizona — can Arizona apostille it?
No. Arizona can only apostille documents certified by an Arizona custodian or notarized by an Arizona notary. A birth certificate from another state must be certified and apostilled by that state's Secretary of State. We can translate documents from any state regardless of where the apostille is issued.
Can you translate documents that already have an Arizona apostille attached?
Yes. Send us the complete apostilled packet and we produce a certified translation that includes the apostille certificate, formatted for the receiving country. If you haven't apostilled yet, message us first so we help you get the order right and avoid re-doing the translation.