NORTH CAROLINA · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in North Carolina
Yes — you can get a North Carolina document apostilled, and Translation HelpDesk handles the certified translation that pairs with it. Apostilles in NC are issued only by the Secretary of State's Authentication Office in Raleigh for $10 per document, and any record going abroad (or any foreign record coming into the US for USCIS) typically needs a certified translation to be accepted. We translate NC birth certificates, marriage records, single-status letters, diplomas, and powers of attorney at $0.05/word — most one-page civil documents run about $15–25 — delivered in 24–48 hours and backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge. Request a free 250-word sample before you commit.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the North Carolina Secretary of State, Authentication Office (Authentications Division) — 2 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 (mailing: PO Box 29622, Raleigh, NC 27626-0622; phone 919-814-5400). This is the only office in the state that issues apostilles and authentications.
HOW IT WORKS IN NORTH CAROLINA
Getting an Apostille in North Carolina
In North Carolina, apostilles and authentications are issued solely by the Secretary of State's Authentication Office in downtown Raleigh (2 South Salisbury Street; mailing PO Box 29622, Raleigh, NC 27626-0622; 919-814-5400) — counties, notaries, and courts cannot issue them, they can only notarize or certify the underlying record. Your document must be an original NC-issued record or first notarized by a North Carolina notary public (vital records certified by a Register of Deeds or Clerk of Superior Court are accepted without added notarization; NC school transcripts and diplomas must be NC-notarized). Submit the document with a cover letter, the $10-per-document fee by check or money order payable to the North Carolina Secretary of State, and a prepaid return envelope — in person, by USPS, or by courier (FedEx/UPS/DHL to the Salisbury Street address). If your final destination is a non-Hague country, the office issues an authentication instead of an apostille, which you then take to the US Department of State.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
Certified translation and the apostille are two separate steps, and the correct order depends on the receiving country. The most common mistake is translating a document and getting the translation itself apostilled without checking — many countries want the original English NC record apostilled first with a certified translation attached afterward, while others require a notarized translator's affidavit that is then apostilled. The NC office only authenticates the underlying document or a notary's signature; it never verifies translation accuracy, so confirm the sequence with your consulate or recipient before paying for anything.
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: North Carolina charges $10 per document for an apostille or authentication (adoption duplicate originals are $5 when requested at the same time) — confirm the current fee directly with the Secretary of State, since state fees can change. That state fee is separate from certified translation, which we price at $0.05/word, so a typical one-page civil document (birth, marriage, single-status) runs about $15–25.
Typical processing: The NC Authentication Office often processes in-person, walk-in requests the same day; mailed requests are typically returned in about 5 business days plus shipping time, and documented emergencies may qualify for expedited handling. Translation HelpDesk delivers the certified translation in 24–48 hours, so the translation is rarely the bottleneck. Verify current Secretary of State timelines at sosnc.gov or 919-814-5400 before relying on a date.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in North Carolina?
Only the North Carolina Secretary of State's Authentication Office, at 2 South Salisbury Street in Raleigh (mailing: PO Box 29622, Raleigh, NC 27626-0622; phone 919-814-5400). Counties, notaries, and courts cannot issue apostilles — they can only notarize or certify the underlying document first.
Should I translate my document before or after the apostille?
It depends on the destination country. A common path is to apostille the original NC record first, then attach a certified translation; other countries instead require a notarized translator's affidavit that is itself apostilled. Ask your consulate or the receiving institution which sequence they want, then send us the final document.
Does the North Carolina Secretary of State check my translation?
No. The Authentication Office only authenticates the NC document or the signature of a North Carolina notary — it does not verify translation accuracy. That is exactly why you need a properly certified translation with a signed certificate of accuracy, which is included with every Translation HelpDesk order.
My foreign document already has an apostille from another country — do I still need a translation?
Usually yes. If a foreign-issued record (with its own apostille) is going to USCIS or another US agency, it must be accompanied by a certified English translation — often of both the document and the apostille wording. We translate the full package and stand behind it with our USCIS Rejection Pledge.
How much does the whole process cost and how long does it take?
North Carolina charges $10 per document for the apostille (confirm the current fee with the Secretary of State). Certified translation is separate, priced at $0.05/word — about $15–25 for a one-page civil record. We deliver translations in 24–48 hours; the SOS often processes in-person walk-ins the same day and mailed requests in roughly a week plus shipping.
Can you help if I'm not physically in North Carolina?
Yes. Translation HelpDesk is a Chihuahua, Mexico-based nearshore team (founded by Victor Luján, serving US clients since 2018) that works with all 50 states. Order online or message us by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com — you handle the physical apostille with the NC Secretary of State, and we handle the certified translation.