GEORGIA · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Georgia
In Georgia, apostilles are handled differently than in most states: for Hague Convention countries they are issued by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) in Atlanta, not the Secretary of State. Translation HelpDesk pairs your certified translation with that apostille step so your documents are accepted abroad or by USCIS the first time. We deliver certified translations at $0.05/word (most civil documents like birth, marriage, and death certificates run $15-25) in 24-48 hours, backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge. Message us by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com for a free 250-word sample before you commit.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Georgia is one of the few states where the Secretary of State does NOT issue apostilles for most documents. For countries in the Hague Apostille Convention, apostilles are issued by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA), Notary Division, at 1875 Century Blvd., Ste. 100, Atlanta, GA 30345. Only for non-Hague countries does the Georgia Secretary of State's Authentications Division issue a "Great Seal" authentication instead.
HOW IT WORKS IN GEORGIA
Getting an Apostille in Georgia
To apostille a Georgia document, first make sure it qualifies: it must be a Georgia-issued vital record (born/married in Georgia), a certified court document, or a document notarized by a Georgia notary with proper English notarial wording. Then submit the original to the GSCCCA's Notary Division in Atlanta, either in person (typically processed in under 20 minutes) or by mail with a cover letter naming the destination country, your contact information, and a prepaid return envelope. The GSCCCA can only apostille a notary signature that originates in Georgia, and it recommends obtaining fresh certified copies for older records. If your destination country is NOT part of the Hague Convention, you instead route the notarized document to the Georgia Secretary of State's Authentications Division for a Great Seal authentication, which usually then needs further legalization at the destination country's consulate.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
Order matters and depends on direction. For a Georgia document going abroad (for example, a Georgia birth certificate for use in Mexico or Spain), get the apostille from the GSCCCA FIRST, then have Translation HelpDesk translate the document AND the apostille certificate into the target language, so nothing on the packet is left untranslated. For a foreign document coming INTO the US (for example, a Mexican birth certificate for USCIS), the apostille is done in the origin country and you only need a certified English translation here, no US apostille. The most common mistake is translating before the apostille and then forgetting to translate the apostille page, or expecting Translation HelpDesk's certified translation to itself be apostilled in Georgia, which would require the translator's affidavit to be sworn before a Georgia notary.
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 GSCCCA fee for an apostille is about $3.00 per document (in person, by mail, or online) — please verify the current fee before sending payment. Certified translation from Translation HelpDesk is separate, at $0.05/word, with most civil documents (birth, marriage, death certificates) totaling $15-25 each. Third-party "apostille service" companies bundle these and often charge $100-$150 or more per document.
Typical processing: GSCCCA apostilles: in person typically under 20 minutes, or normally 1-2 business days for mail-in (plus mailing time). Translation HelpDesk certified translations: 24-48 hours.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Georgia — the Secretary of State?
For countries in the Hague Apostille Convention, no. Georgia routes apostilles through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA), Notary Division, at 1875 Century Blvd., Ste. 100, Atlanta, GA 30345. The Georgia Secretary of State's Authentications Division only issues a 'Great Seal' authentication for documents going to countries that are NOT part of the Hague Convention, which typically then require consulate legalization.
Should I translate my document before or after the apostille?
It depends on direction. For a Georgia document going abroad, get the GSCCCA apostille first, then have both the document and the apostille certificate translated into the destination language. For a foreign document coming into the US (such as for USCIS), the apostille is obtained in the origin country and you only need a certified English translation in the US — no second US apostille.
How much does an apostille cost in Georgia?
The GSCCCA charges roughly $3.00 per document, but please verify the current fee before paying. That is separate from certified translation. Translation HelpDesk translates most civil documents (birth, marriage, death certificates) for $15-25 each at $0.05/word.
Can Translation HelpDesk's certified translation be apostilled in Georgia?
For USCIS and most US uses, you do not apostille the translation — a certified translation is enough. If a destination country specifically requires the translation itself to be apostilled, Georgia's GSCCCA can only apostille a translator's affidavit that was sworn before a Georgia notary, so that added notarization step must happen locally in Georgia. Message us by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com and we'll help you confirm what your specific case needs.
How long does the whole process take?
A GSCCCA apostille is typically done in under 20 minutes in person or within 1-2 business days by mail. Translation HelpDesk returns your certified translation in 24-48 hours, so most people complete both steps within a week, plus any mailing time.
What if my document is older or from another state?
The GSCCCA can only apostille documents tied to a Georgia notary or Georgia-issued record, and it recommends obtaining fresh certified copies for older records (it generally cannot apostille records predating 2000). If your document originates in another state, you must apostille it in that state, not Georgia. We can still handle the certified translation regardless of which state issues the apostille.