DELAWARE · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Delaware
In Delaware there is only one place that issues apostilles and authentications: the Division of Corporations at the Delaware Department of State in Dover — county clerks and the DMV do not provide this. Translation HelpDesk pairs that state step with USCIS-ready certified translation at $0.05 per word (most civil documents run $15-25), so your birth certificate, marriage certificate, or diploma is both accurately translated and legally recognized abroad. We deliver in 24-48 hours from our Chihuahua, Mexico nearshore team, include a free 250-word sample so you can check quality before committing, and back every job with our USCIS Rejection Pledge. Founded by Victor Luján in 2018, we handle Delaware and all-50-states document work for immigration, dual citizenship, and overseas filings.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Delaware Division of Corporations, under the Delaware Department of State (Office of the Secretary of State) — John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal Street, Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901. This is the only office that issues apostilles and authentications in Delaware; no county clerk or DMV office does it.
HOW IT WORKS IN DELAWARE
Getting an Apostille in Delaware
In Delaware, apostilles and authentications are issued only by the Division of Corporations under the Department of State, located in the John G. Townsend Building at 401 Federal Street, Suite 4, in Dover. The office can apostille or authenticate any document that has been notarized by a commissioned Delaware notary, or that bears the signature of a Delaware public official (for example, the State Registrar on a Delaware-issued birth, marriage, or death certificate). You submit by mail or in person by appointment (call 302-739-3077); documents notarized remotely or electronically are not accepted, and when multiple documents are submitted each one must be certified separately rather than under a single cover sheet. Request an apostille if your document is going to a Hague Convention country, or an authentication if the destination is not a Hague member — in which case it may then need further certification by the U.S. Department of State.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
Certified translation and the apostille are two separate steps, and the order matters. As a general rule, apostille the original public document first, then translate everything — including the apostille certificate itself — because the receiving country's officials read the seal in their own language. The most common mistake we fix is translating too early: people translate the birth certificate, staple the apostille to the translation, or have a notarized translation apostilled instead of the original, and the consulate rejects it. Delaware itself notes that when a foreign-language document is submitted with an English version, both must be notarized, so we prepare the translator's certification correctly for whichever path your destination country requires.
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: Delaware's Division of Corporations charges a discounted $30.00 for personal (non-commercial) documents presented simultaneously, and $30.00 per document for commercial/non-personal use, with expedited processing available for an added fee. State fees change, so verify the current amount with the Division before filing. Translation HelpDesk's certified translation is a separate cost — $0.05 per word, with most civil documents (birth, marriage, death certificates) running about $15-25.
Typical processing: The Delaware Division of Corporations typically processes apostille and authentication requests the same business day they are received, whether by mail or by in-person appointment (add mailing time on each end for mailed requests). Translation HelpDesk returns your certified translation in 24-48 hours, so the translation step rarely holds up your filing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Delaware?
Only the Division of Corporations, under the Delaware Department of State (Secretary of State), in Dover. No county, city, or DMV office in Delaware can issue an apostille or authentication.
Should I translate my document before or after getting the apostille?
In most cases, apostille the original document first, then have it translated — including the apostille certificate — since the receiving country reads the seal in its own language. The exact order can vary by destination country, so tell us where the document is going and we'll confirm the correct sequence before you file.
Can Delaware apostille a document that was notarized online?
No. Delaware will not accept documents notarized remotely or electronically for apostille. You need a traditional in-person Delaware notary, or a document that already bears a Delaware public official's signature (such as a state-issued vital record).
How does the certified translation fit with Delaware's rules?
When a translation must be apostilled, the translator's certification is typically notarized by a Delaware notary so the notarized translation can itself be apostilled; Delaware also notes that a foreign-language document submitted with its English version requires both to be notarized. We prepare a signed certificate of accuracy and format it so it holds up for USCIS and for the state.
What does the whole process cost and how long does it take?
The Division of Corporations charges roughly $30 for personal (non-commercial) documents presented together — confirm the current fee before filing — and typically processes requests the same business day. Our certified translation is $0.05 per word (usually $15-25 for a standard civil document), delivered in 24-48 hours, with a free 250-word sample and our USCIS Rejection Pledge.