NORTH DAKOTA · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in North Dakota
In North Dakota, apostilles and certifications are issued only by the North Dakota Office of the Secretary of State in Bismarck — there is no standalone "apostille office," and county recorders or clerks cannot issue them. The state fee is $10 per authentication plus a $5 record search fee per unique notary signature, and requests are usually processed within about 3 business days once received. Because the apostille only authenticates the North Dakota signature or seal — never the content or language of your document — a certified translation is almost always a separate step. Translation HelpDesk provides USCIS- and consulate-ready certified translations at $0.05 per word (most civil documents $15-25) so your North Dakota apostille packet is accepted the first time.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the North Dakota Office of the Secretary of State (Notary & Apostille Division), Bismarck.
HOW IT WORKS IN NORTH DAKOTA
Getting an Apostille in North Dakota
Mail or bring your document to the North Dakota Office of the Secretary of State at 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept 108, Bismarck, ND 58505-0500, with a cover letter naming the destination country and the $10-per-document fee. The document must either be a certified copy from a North Dakota agency or be notarized by a North Dakota notary public — the Secretary of State verifies the notary's or official's signature and seal, not the document's content, and issues an apostille for Hague Convention countries or a certification for all others. For birth, death, and marriage records, order a fresh certified copy from North Dakota Vital Records (Health and Human Services) and note in the order comments that you need an apostille and for which country. The Secretary of State strongly recommends emailing documents for pre-review to sosaccnot@nd.gov before you send the originals, so any defect is caught before payment.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
For most North Dakota documents the safe order is apostille first, then translate: the Secretary of State attaches the apostille to the original English record, and your certified translation should cover both the document and the apostille certificate so the receiving country can read the seal. The most common mistake is translating a birth certificate before the apostille exists, which leaves the final packet missing a translation of the apostille itself. The exception is when your destination country requires the translator's affidavit to be apostilled — then the translator must sign before a North Dakota notary so the Secretary of State can authenticate that signature; tell us the country and we prepare the translation the correct way.
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 Dakota charges $10 per apostille/certification plus a $5 record search fee per unique notary signature — confirm the current amounts with the Secretary of State before sending payment, since state fees change. Certified translation from Translation HelpDesk is $0.05 per word, with most civil documents (birth, marriage, and death certificates) running $15-25 each; get a free 250-word sample first.
Typical processing: North Dakota Secretary of State: usually about 3 business days once received (allow 3-5 during busy periods), plus mailing time each way; in-person submission in Bismarck is fastest. Translation HelpDesk certified translation: 24-48 hours.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in North Dakota?
The North Dakota Office of the Secretary of State in Bismarck is the only authority that issues apostilles and certifications for documents originating in North Dakota. County recorders, clerks of court, and notaries cannot issue an apostille themselves — they only create the underlying certified copy or notarization that the Secretary of State then authenticates.
Should I translate my document before or after the North Dakota apostille?
In most cases, apostille first and translate second. The North Dakota Secretary of State attaches the apostille to your original English document, so your certified translation should render both the document and the apostille certificate. The one exception is when the destination country wants the translator's sworn affidavit itself apostilled — then the translator signs before a North Dakota notary and that notarized affidavit is authenticated by the Secretary of State. When in doubt, tell us the country and we'll match its rule.
How much does a North Dakota apostille cost?
The state fee is $10 per authentication, plus a $5 record search fee for each unique notary signature being authenticated. Fees can change, so verify the current amount on the Secretary of State's website before mailing payment. Our certified translation is separate and priced at $0.05 per word, most civil documents landing at $15-25.
How do I apostille a North Dakota birth or marriage certificate?
Order a current certified copy from North Dakota Vital Records within the Department of Health and Human Services — not an older copy sitting in a drawer — and in the order comments state that you need an apostille and name the destination country. Vital records should bear the state seal and a hand signature. The certified copy is then authenticated by the Secretary of State; no separate notarization is needed for a properly sealed vital record.
Can I request a North Dakota apostille by mail?
Yes. You can submit in person or by mail to the Secretary of State at 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept 108, Bismarck, ND 58505-0500, including a cover letter with the destination country and the fee. The office recommends emailing your documents for pre-review to sosaccnot@nd.gov first so requirements are confirmed before you send the originals.
Does the North Dakota Secretary of State translate my document, and will USCIS accept an apostille instead of a translation?
No on both counts. The Secretary of State only certifies the signature and seal — it never translates content, and an apostille is not a translation. An apostille is for using a North Dakota document abroad; for USCIS inside the United States you generally need a certified English translation, not an apostille. Translation HelpDesk provides certified translations that meet USCIS requirements, backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge.