INDIANA · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Indiana
If you have an Indiana document headed abroad — or a foreign document you need to use in Indiana — you likely need two separate things: a certified translation and an apostille, and the order matters. In Indiana, apostilles and authentications are issued by the Secretary of State's Business Services Division in Indianapolis, and only documents originally issued in Indiana qualify. Translation HelpDesk provides the certified English (or foreign-language) translation that pairs with your apostille — $0.05/word, most civil documents just $15–25, delivered in 24–48 hours from our nearshore team in Chihuahua, Mexico serving all of the USA. We back USCIS-bound work with our Rejection Pledge, and you can request a free 250-word sample before you commit.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Indiana Secretary of State — Business Services Division, Authentications Unit (Indianapolis).
HOW IT WORKS IN INDIANA
Getting an Apostille in Indiana
In Indiana, apostilles and authentications are handled exclusively by the Secretary of State's Business Services Division (Authentications Unit) at 302 W. Washington Street, Room E-018, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Indiana follows the Model Apostille Standards, so it no longer distinguishes between an "apostille" (for Hague Convention countries) and an "authentication/certification" (for non-Hague countries) — both use one modern certificate with the state seal in blue ink. Only documents issued in Indiana are eligible; documents from other states must be apostilled in their home state, and federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State. Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates and divorce decrees do not need notarization, but virtually every other document (including diplomas, powers of attorney, affidavits, and translations) must first be notarized by an Indiana notary. You can submit by mail or in person, along with the state's Request for Apostille/Authentication form.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
Order of operations is where most people go wrong. For an Indiana-issued public record (like a birth certificate) headed to a foreign country, apostille the original state-issued document FIRST, then have the apostilled document — including the apostille certificate itself — translated. Indiana will not apostille a translation on its own unless the translator's certification is notarized before an Indiana notary; the Secretary of State authenticates the notary's act, not the translation's accuracy. A frequent, costly mistake is trying to apostille a translation or a photocopy of a vital record — the office only apostilles the original, properly issued document. For USCIS filings, note you usually do NOT need an apostille at all; USCIS simply requires a certified English translation, which is exactly what we provide.
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: Indiana's state apostille/authentication fee is very low — around $2.00 per authentication, with birth/death certificates, adoption documents, and student transcripts/diplomas issued free — but always confirm the current fee with the Secretary of State before mailing. That state fee is separate from translation: our certified translation runs $0.05 per word, with most one-page civil documents landing at just $15–25.
Typical processing: Indiana's Secretary of State typically processes apostilles in 1–2 business days from the date of receipt by mail; documents received by noon are generally mailed the next business day. In person, staff can process documents while you wait (up to about 10 with an appointment, fewer without). Our certified translations are delivered in 24–48 hours, so translation is rarely the bottleneck.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Indiana?
The Indiana Secretary of State's Business Services Division (Authentications Unit) in Indianapolis issues all apostilles and authentications for Indiana-issued documents. The office is at 302 W. Washington Street, Room E-018, Indianapolis, IN 46204, and accepts both mail and in-person requests. Only documents originally issued in Indiana are eligible; out-of-state and federal documents must be authenticated elsewhere.
Should I translate my document before or after getting the apostille?
For an Indiana public record going abroad, get the apostille on the original first, then translate the document together with the apostille certificate. If the destination country instead wants the translation itself apostilled, the translator's certification must be notarized by an Indiana notary before the Secretary of State can authenticate it. When in doubt, check with the receiving authority abroad — requirements vary by country.
How much does an apostille cost in Indiana?
Indiana charges roughly $2.00 per authentication, and it waives the fee entirely for items like birth and death certificates, adoption documents, and student transcripts or diplomas. Because fees can change, verify the current amount with the Secretary of State before submitting. This is separate from our certified translation, which is $0.05/word — typically $15–25 for a standard one-page civil document.
Do I need an apostille for USCIS?
Usually not. USCIS accepts foreign-language documents with a certified English translation and generally does not require an apostille for immigration filings. We provide the certified translation USCIS expects, backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge. You'd typically need an apostille only when an Indiana document is being sent to a foreign government.
How long does the whole process take?
Indiana's Secretary of State typically issues apostilles in 1–2 business days after receiving your documents by mail, or while you wait for in-person appointments. Our certified translations are delivered in 24–48 hours. You can also request a free 250-word sample first, or reach us by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com to plan the sequence for your specific country.