MAINE · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Maine
Maine apostilles come from a single office: the Secretary of State's Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions in Augusta, at $10 per certification with a roughly 10-15 business-day turnaround. If your Maine document is bound for a Hague Convention country it receives an apostille; if the destination country is not a member, it receives an authentication (certification) instead. Translation HelpDesk pairs that authentication with USCIS-ready certified translation at $0.05/word — most civil documents run $15-25 — so your birth certificate, diploma, or court record is both authenticated by the state and accurately translated for the receiving country. Every order includes a free 250-word sample, 24-48 hour turnaround, and our USCIS Rejection Pledge.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Maine Secretary of State — Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions (Augusta).
HOW IT WORKS IN MAINE
Getting an Apostille in Maine
In Maine there is no county-clerk option — apostilles and authentications are issued only by the Secretary of State's Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions in Augusta. You download the state's Apostille/Authentication request form, attach your notarized document (or a vital record) plus the per-certification fee, and mail it to Secretary of State, 101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0101, or send it by courier to 6 E. Chestnut Street, Augusta, ME 04330. Requests involving more than five documents require an appointment first, so call 207-624-7752 before sending them. The single most common rejection is a missing notarial statement, so confirm your notary added a proper jurat or acknowledgment before mailing.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
Place the apostille on the Maine-issued original first — a birth or marriage record from Maine DHHS, or your notarized document — and then have Translation HelpDesk produce the certified translation, including a translation of the apostille certificate itself if the destination country requires it. The common mistake is translating first and then apostilling the translation, which leaves the Secretary of State authenticating the wrong signature. The apostille belongs on the original public document, not on the translated copy; the certified translation is layered on afterward.
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: Maine charges $10 per certification (apostille or authentication), payable to the Secretary of State in U.S. funds. Verify the current fee on the Secretary of State's website before mailing payment, since state fees can change.
Typical processing: About 10-15 business days through the Augusta office; the state does not advertise a separate in-person same-day service, so add mailing time in both directions when planning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Maine?
The Maine Secretary of State's Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions in Augusta is the sole issuer. Maine towns, municipal clerks, and notaries cannot issue apostilles themselves — every request is processed by that one state office.
How much does a Maine apostille cost and how long does it take?
The state fee is $10 per certification, and processing runs about 10-15 business days by mail. Always confirm the current fee on the Secretary of State's website before sending payment, and budget extra time for shipping in both directions.
Should I translate my document before or after the apostille?
Apostille the Maine-issued original first, then have the certified translation done — and have it cover the apostille certificate too if the destination country asks for that. Translating first and apostilling the translated copy is the most common ordering mistake and often forces you to start over.
Do I need an apostille for USCIS?
Usually no. USCIS wants a certified English translation of your foreign-language document, not an apostille — apostilles are for U.S. documents going abroad. If you are instead sending a Maine document to another country, that is when the Augusta apostille applies.
Why do Maine apostille requests get rejected?
The number-one reason is a missing notarial statement — the notary's jurat or acknowledgment must appear on or be attached to the document. Vital records must first be obtained from Maine DHHS. Confirm both before mailing to avoid a costly round trip.