OREGON · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Oregon
If you need an apostille or authentication in Oregon, there is exactly one issuing authority: the Oregon Secretary of State's Corporation Division / Notary Public Program in Salem, and the fee is $10 per document. Whether your birth certificate, diploma, power of attorney, or corporate paperwork is headed to Mexico, Spain, Germany, or anywhere else, the state authenticates the Oregon notary's signature on the original — and most destinations also require a certified translation. Translation HelpDesk delivers USCIS- and consulate-ready certified translations at $0.05/word (most civil documents $15–25) in 24–48 hours, backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge and a free 250-word sample. We are a Chihuahua, Mexico nearshore team led by founder Victor Luján, serving all 50 states since 2018.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division (Notary Public Program) in Salem, Oregon.
HOW IT WORKS IN OREGON
Getting an Apostille in Oregon
In Oregon, apostilles and authentications are issued only by the Secretary of State's Corporation Division / Notary Public Program in Salem — not by counties or courts. You submit the original document bearing a complete Oregon notarial certificate, or a document signed by an Oregon public official, along with the Request for Apostille/Authentication form and the $10-per-document fee. Requests are handled in person at 255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151, Salem, OR 97310 (walk-in hours 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday) or by mail with a self-addressed prepaid return envelope; FedEx or UPS is recommended over USPS Express/Priority, which is not delivered directly to the office. The state confirms whether your document needs an apostille (for Hague Convention countries) or a fuller authentication chain (for non-Hague countries), so tell them the destination country up front.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
Sequence matters. Oregon apostillizes the Oregon notary's or public official's signature on the ORIGINAL document, so get the apostille first and translate afterward — then have Translation HelpDesk provide a certified English or foreign-language translation of both the document and the apostille certificate itself. The most common mistake is translating first and asking Salem to apostille the English translation; Oregon will only apostille the notarized original, not a loose translation. The second mistake is forgetting that the Oregon apostille is issued in English, so a receiving country that speaks another language will want that certificate translated too.
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: Oregon's state apostille fee is $10 per document (verified with the Secretary of State; confirm the current fee before submitting). Certified translation from Translation HelpDesk is separate: $0.05 per word, typically $15–25 for a standard one-page civil document such as a birth or marriage certificate.
Typical processing: In-person at the Salem office: usually same day. By mail: about one week during normal periods, up to three weeks or more during peak season. Translation HelpDesk certified translations: 24–48 hours.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Oregon?
The Oregon Secretary of State's Corporation Division, through its Notary Public Program in Salem. Oregon counties, courts, and the Governor's office do not issue apostilles — everything routes through the Salem office at 255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151.
How much does an Oregon apostille cost?
Oregon charges $10 per apostille or authentication, and you need a separate apostille for each notarized document (one request form can list several documents). Certified translation is billed separately — Translation HelpDesk charges $0.05 per word, typically $15–25 for a standard civil document. Always confirm the current state fee before mailing.
How long does an Oregon apostille take?
In-person requests in Salem are usually processed the same day. Mailed requests generally take about a week during normal periods but can stretch to three weeks or more during peak season, so FedEx or UPS is recommended for time-sensitive documents.
Should I translate my document before or after the Oregon apostille?
After. Oregon apostillizes the notary's signature on the original, so get the apostille first, then have both the original document and the apostille certificate translated. Sending an English apostille to a non-English-speaking country usually means the apostille itself must be translated too.
My document is coming from another country into Oregon — do I still need a translation?
Yes. A foreign document should be apostilled in its country of origin, then Translation HelpDesk provides a certified English translation of both the document and its apostille — exactly what USCIS, Oregon courts, and universities expect. Our USCIS Rejection Pledge covers immigration filings.
Can Oregon apostille a document that isn't notarized?
Only if it was signed by an Oregon public official (for example a state-issued vital record or a court clerk). Anything else must first carry a complete Oregon notarial certificate; photocopies are not accepted. When in doubt, contact the Salem office before submitting.