ILLINOIS · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Illinois
If you need an Illinois document apostilled for use abroad, the apostille comes from the Illinois Secretary of State's Index Department (Springfield and Chicago), and the certified translation comes from us. Translation HelpDesk delivers USCIS- and consulate-ready certified translations at $0.05/word — most civil documents like birth, marriage, and death certificates run $15-25 — in 24-48 hours, with a free 250-word sample and our USCIS Rejection Pledge. We are a nearshore team in Chihuahua, Mexico serving all 50 states, founded by Victor Luján in 2018. Message us by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com and we'll tell you exactly whether to translate before or after your Illinois apostille.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department — it issues an Apostille for documents going to countries in the Hague Apostille Convention, and a Certificate of Authority for documents going to non-Hague countries.
HOW IT WORKS IN ILLINOIS
Getting an Apostille in Illinois
In Illinois, apostilles and authentications are handled by the Secretary of State's Index Department. First, your document must be a certified copy from the issuing government official (for example, a county clerk certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage record) or be notarized by an Illinois Notary Public. Then complete the Application for Authentication (Form I-213) and submit the original/certified document with the $2-per-document state fee, paid by check or money order to the Illinois Secretary of State, plus a self-addressed stamped return envelope. You can walk in to the Springfield office (which handles all Index Department services) or the Chicago office (which handles only authentication of documents for foreign use), or mail your request to the Index Department in Springfield. Confirm the current address, hours, and fee on ilsos.gov before you go, since state offices update these periodically.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
Get the apostille order right: the Illinois Secretary of State authenticates the signature of a government official or notary on your document — it does NOT certify a translation. So apostille the original English document first, then have both the document AND the apostille certificate translated, because most foreign authorities want the apostille page translated too. The most common mistake we see is translating first and asking Illinois to apostille the Spanish version — the state will not apostille a bare translation. If your destination needs the translation itself authenticated, we provide a notarized translator's certification, and it is the notary's signature that the Secretary of State then apostilles.
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: Illinois state apostille fee: $2 per document, payable to the Illinois Secretary of State (verify the current fee on ilsos.gov). Our certified translation is separate: $0.05/word, with typical civil documents (birth, marriage, death certificates) running about $15-25 each.
Typical processing: Illinois Secretary of State: in person at Springfield or Chicago, usually same day (processed while you wait, first-come, first-served); by mail to Springfield, about 7-14 business days of state processing plus mailing time each way. Add 24-48 hours for our certified translation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Illinois?
The Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department. It issues an Apostille for countries in the Hague Apostille Convention and a Certificate of Authority for countries that are not. You can be served in person at the Springfield office (all Index Department services) or the Chicago office (foreign-use authentication only), or by mail to Springfield.
How much does an Illinois apostille cost, and is translation included?
The Illinois Secretary of State charges $2 per document for the apostille itself — confirm the current fee on ilsos.gov before submitting. Certified translation is a separate service. Ours is $0.05 per word, and a typical civil document such as a birth or marriage certificate is about $15-25.
Should I translate before or after getting the Illinois apostille?
Almost always after. Have the Illinois Secretary of State apostille your original English document first, then send us both the document and the apostille certificate to translate. Foreign authorities usually want the apostille page translated too, so translating last avoids paying twice.
Will Illinois apostille my translated document?
No — the Secretary of State authenticates the signature of a government official or an Illinois notary, not a translation. If you need the translation itself authenticated, we attach a notarized translator's certification, and the notary's signature is what gets apostilled.
How long does the whole process take?
At the Illinois Secretary of State, in-person requests are typically processed the same day on a first-come, first-served basis, while mail requests to Springfield generally take about 7-14 business days plus shipping. Our certified translation adds just 24-48 hours.
Do I need an apostille for USCIS?
Usually not. USCIS wants a certified English translation of your foreign document, not an apostille — apostilles are for U.S. documents going to a foreign government. If you're filing with USCIS, our certified translation is backed by a USCIS Rejection Pledge, and you can start with a free 250-word sample.