MICHIGAN · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Michigan
If you need a document apostilled in Michigan, there is exactly one issuing authority: the Office of the Great Seal, a division of the Michigan Secretary of State in Lansing. They authenticate the signature of a Michigan notary or state official so your record is recognized abroad, but they do not translate anything. That is where we come in: certified translation at $0.05/word (most civil documents run $15-25), a free 250-word sample, and 24-48 hour turnaround, so your Michigan birth certificate, marriage record, diploma, or power of attorney and its apostille arrive in the destination language ready to accept.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal (a division of the Michigan Secretary of State), in Lansing.
HOW IT WORKS IN MICHIGAN
Getting an Apostille in Michigan
In Michigan, apostilles and authentications are issued only by the Office of the Great Seal, a division of the Secretary of State in Lansing. You can submit by mail to the Office of the Great Seal at 7064 Crowner Blvd., Lansing, MI 48918-1750, including your original document with original signatures (notarized where required), a cover letter naming the destination country, and a check or money order payable to the State of Michigan; you can also go in person by appointment only, currently on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (schedule online or call 888-767-6424). Michigan issues an Apostille for countries in the Hague Apostille Convention and a Certificate of Authority for non-Hague countries, which often also require an added U.S. Department of State step. Note that the Office of the Great Seal only authenticates the signature of a Michigan notary or Michigan official, so the underlying document must originate from or be notarized in Michigan.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
Sequence matters: for a Michigan document going abroad, get the apostille on the original English document FIRST, then have both the document and the apostille certificate translated by a certified translator into the destination country's language. The most common mistake is translating first and asking the Office of the Great Seal to apostille the loose translation; Michigan will not apostille a translation unless the translator's signature has been notarized in Michigan, and even then most consulates want the apostille on the original. We translate the document and the apostille together so nothing is rejected at the receiving end.
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: Michigan's state apostille fee is $1 per document (one of the lowest in the U.S.), but confirm the current fee with the Office of the Great Seal before submitting, since fees can change. Our certified translation is billed separately at $0.05/word, with most civil documents (birth, marriage, single-page records) running about $15-25 each.
Typical processing: Michigan apostille: official mail turnaround is about 1-2 weeks after the Office of the Great Seal receives your package (plus mailing time); in-person by appointment is typically same-visit. Our certified translation: 24-48 hours.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Michigan?
The Office of the Great Seal, a division of the Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State), located in Lansing. It is the only authority in Michigan that can issue an apostille or a Certificate of Authority. You can submit by mail to 7064 Crowner Blvd., Lansing, MI 48918-1750, or in person by appointment on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Should I translate my document before or after getting the Michigan apostille?
For a Michigan document going to another country, apostille the original English document first, then translate both the document and the apostille certificate. The apostille authenticates the Michigan official's signature, so it must go on the original. Translating first and apostilling the translation is the most common reason documents get rejected abroad.
How much does a Michigan apostille cost and how long does it take?
Michigan's state fee is $1 per document, which is one of the lowest in the country, but always confirm the current fee with the Office of the Great Seal before mailing. The state's official mail turnaround is about 1-2 weeks after they receive your package, plus mailing time; in-person appointments are typically handled the same visit. Our certified translation is separate and runs 24-48 hours.
Do I need an apostille for a document I'm submitting to USCIS?
No. USCIS does not require apostilles for immigration filings; it requires a certified English translation of any non-English document. Apostilles are for use in foreign countries, not for U.S. federal agencies. If you have a foreign birth or marriage certificate for a green card or citizenship case, you need a certified translation, not a Michigan apostille.
Can the Office of the Great Seal apostille a document from another state or a foreign country?
No. Michigan can only authenticate the signature of a Michigan notary or Michigan official. A document notarized or issued in another state must be apostilled by that state, and a foreign document must be apostilled in its country of origin. We then provide the certified English translation of the foreign document and its apostille for use in the U.S.
Do I need to translate the apostille itself?
Usually yes. Most receiving countries want the apostille certificate translated along with the underlying document, since the apostille is in English. We translate the document and the apostille together as one certified package so the destination office does not bounce it for a missing translation.
Does Translation HelpDesk file the apostille for me?
We are a certified translation company, not a Michigan filing agent, so you or a courier service submit to the Office of the Great Seal. Our job is the certified translation before or after the apostille, at $0.05/word with a USCIS Rejection Pledge and a free 250-word sample so you can see the quality first. Message us by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com to start.