MISSOURI · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Missouri
Yes — in Missouri, apostilles and authentications are handled by the Secretary of State's Notaries & Commissions Unit in Jefferson City, and Translation HelpDesk provides the certified translation that almost always travels with them. Missouri issues every birth, marriage, and court record in English only, so any document headed to a Spanish-, Portuguese-, or other-language authority abroad needs a certified translation to match. We charge $0.05 per word (most civil documents run $15–25), deliver in 24–48 hours, and back every order with our USCIS Rejection Pledge. Send a photo 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 Missouri Secretary of State — Notaries & Commissions Unit (Commissions Division), 600 West Main, Room 322, Jefferson City, MO 65101; commissions@sos.mo.gov, (573) 751-2783.
HOW IT WORKS IN MISSOURI
Getting an Apostille in Missouri
In Missouri, apostilles and authentications are issued by the Secretary of State's Notaries & Commissions Unit in Jefferson City (600 West Main, Room 322). You submit the original notarized or certified document with a cover letter listing your contact information and the destination country; the office verifies the Missouri notary or issuing official's signature and attaches an apostille (for Hague Convention countries) or an authentication certificate (for non-Hague countries, which then goes on to the U.S. Department of State and the destination country's embassy). Requests are accepted as walk-ins Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–3:30 PM or by mail, and Missouri only authenticates documents issued or notarized within Missouri. Standard processing is roughly 2 business days once the office receives your documents, not counting mail transit.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
For most overseas uses, translate AFTER the apostille is attached, because the destination country needs the apostille certificate itself rendered into the target language along with the underlying document. The most common mistake we see is translating a birth or marriage certificate first, then having to pay again once the Missouri apostille is added and has to be translated too. If your receiving authority instead wants the translation itself apostilled, we produce the certified translation, you have it notarized by a Missouri notary, and then it goes to the Notaries & Commissions Unit — message us and we'll confirm the right order for your country.
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: Missouri's Secretary of State is commonly cited at about $10 per document for an apostille or authentication (check, money order, or credit card with a possible small convenience fee) — confirm the current fee with the Notaries & Commissions Unit before submitting. Translation HelpDesk's certified translation is billed separately at $0.05/word, typically $15–25 for a standard civil document such as a birth or marriage certificate.
Typical processing: About 2 business days for the Missouri Secretary of State to process the apostille once received (excluding mail transit); walk-in submission in Jefferson City is fastest. Translation HelpDesk returns the certified translation in 24–48 hours.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Missouri?
The Missouri Secretary of State's Notaries & Commissions Unit (Commissions Division) in Jefferson City issues both apostilles (for countries in the Hague Apostille Convention) and authentication certificates (for non-Hague countries). It is located at 600 West Main, Room 322, Jefferson City, MO 65101, and accepts documents in person or by mail. Missouri only authenticates documents issued or notarized inside Missouri.
Should I translate my document before or after the apostille?
In most cases, after. The destination country usually needs both the underlying document and the Missouri apostille certificate translated, so getting the apostille first means the translation is complete and you don't pay twice. The main exception is when your receiving authority wants the certified translation itself notarized and apostilled — ask us and we'll confirm the correct order for your specific country.
How much does a Missouri apostille cost?
The Secretary of State is commonly cited at about $10 per document for an apostille or authentication, payable by check, money order, or credit card (a small convenience fee may apply to cards). Fees can change, so confirm the current amount with the Notaries & Commissions Unit before mailing. Translation HelpDesk's certified translation is separate, at $0.05 per word — typically $15–25 for a standard civil document.
How long does the whole process take?
The Missouri Secretary of State typically processes an apostille in about 2 business days once it receives your documents, not counting mail transit each way. Translation HelpDesk returns your certified translation in 24–48 hours, so the translation step won't be your bottleneck. Walk-in submission at the Jefferson City office is the fastest route if you're local.
Do I need a certified translation for USCIS or an immigration filing?
Yes. USCIS requires a certified English translation of any foreign-language document, and foreign authorities require a translation into their language of your English Missouri records. Our certified translations meet USCIS formatting standards and are backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge. If your document is for USCIS, you generally do not need an apostille — apostilles are for use abroad, not for U.S. immigration filings.
Can you translate the apostille certificate itself?
Yes. Once the Missouri Secretary of State attaches the apostille, we translate both your original document and the apostille as one certified package, which is what most foreign authorities expect. Send us a clear photo or scan of the fully apostilled document by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com and we'll quote it at $0.05 per word.
My document was issued in another state — can Missouri apostille it?
No. Missouri, like every state, only authenticates signatures on documents issued or notarized within its own borders. A document from another state must be apostilled by that state's competent authority. We can still handle the certified translation regardless of which state issues the apostille.