PENNSYLVANIA · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania apostilles and authentications are issued by the Department of State's Bureau of Notaries, Commissions and Legislation in Harrisburg, for a $15-per-document state fee. If your birth certificate, marriage certificate, diploma, or notarized document is going to another country, you'll usually need both an apostille and a certified translation — and the order you do them in matters. Translation HelpDesk provides USCIS- and consulate-ready certified translations at $0.05 per word (most civil documents run $15–$25), with a free 250-word sample and 24–48 hour turnaround. Every job is backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge, and we'll help you decide whether to translate before or after your Pennsylvania apostille.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Pennsylvania Department of State — Bureau of Notaries, Commissions and Legislation (also styled the Office of Notaries, Commissions & Legislation), North Office Building, Room 201, 401 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Phone 717-787-5280; ra-certifications@pa.gov.
HOW IT WORKS IN PENNSYLVANIA
Getting an Apostille in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania apostilles and authentications are issued by the Department of State's Bureau of Notaries, Commissions and Legislation in Harrisburg (North Office Building, Room 201, 401 North Street), and the state fee is $15 per document (not per page), payable by check or money order to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." You can walk in and be processed while you wait (8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday; arrive by 4 p.m.), mail your request, or drop it in the Department's blue drop box in front of the Keystone Building. Send original, sealed documents only — no photocopies. Note that some records need prep first: diplomas, transcripts, and PA criminal-record checks must be notarized by a Pennsylvania notary, vital records must be current certified copies, and county documents must be signed by the clerk in charge of that county office (not a deputy).
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
A Pennsylvania apostille authenticates the signature and seal of the PA/U.S. official on your English-language document, so for records heading abroad (Mexico, Spain, and other Hague countries) the standard order is: get the apostille first, then have Translation HelpDesk produce a certified translation of both the underlying document and the apostille. The most common mistake is translating first and expecting Harrisburg to apostille the translation — the Bureau only apostilles PA-issued or PA-notarized documents, not a translator's page. If instead you hold a foreign-issued record, it should be apostilled in its home country, and we supply the certified English translation you'll need for USCIS or a Pennsylvania court.
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: Pennsylvania charges $15 per document for the apostille or authentication itself (not per page) — confirm the current fee with the Department of State before mailing. Certified translation from Translation HelpDesk is separate: $0.05 per word, with most civil documents (birth, marriage, and death certificates) running about $15–$25 each.
Typical processing: Apostille: same-day for walk-ins in Harrisburg; about 5–7 business days via the drop box; roughly 2–3 weeks by mail (none of which includes return postage). Certified translation: 24–48 hours.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Department of State's Bureau of Notaries, Commissions and Legislation, located in the North Office Building, Room 201, 401 North Street, Harrisburg. It issues apostilles for documents going to Hague Convention countries and authentications/certifications for non-Hague countries. The state fee is $15 per document.
Should I translate my document before or after the Pennsylvania apostille?
For a Pennsylvania or U.S. document going abroad, get the apostille first, then translate both the document and the apostille together. Pennsylvania only apostilles records signed by a PA public official or notarized by a PA notary, so a standalone translation can't be apostilled by the state. Translating afterward ensures the receiving country gets a complete, fully translated packet.
Does USCIS require an apostille on my translated documents?
Usually no. USCIS accepts a certified English translation of a foreign document and does not require an apostille for immigration filings. Apostilles are typically needed when a Pennsylvania document is sent to a foreign government, or when a foreign civil registry or court specifically asks for one — always check your exact requirement.
How long does a Pennsylvania apostille take?
Walk-in requests at the Harrisburg office are processed while you wait (arrive by 4 p.m.). The blue drop box outside the Keystone Building runs about 5–7 business days, and mail requests take roughly two to three weeks — none of which includes return-mail time. Our certified translations are completed in 24–48 hours.
My birth certificate is in Spanish and I need it for a Pennsylvania court or USCIS — do I need an apostille?
Any apostille would be issued by the country that produced the record, not by Pennsylvania. What U.S. courts and USCIS require is a certified English translation, which Translation HelpDesk provides at $0.05 per word (most certificates $15–$25) with a free 250-word sample and our USCIS Rejection Pledge.
What do I need to prepare before requesting an apostille in PA?
Bring original, sealed documents — no photocopies. Diplomas, transcripts, and PA criminal-record checks must first be notarized by a Pennsylvania notary; vital records should be current certified copies; and county-issued documents must be signed by the clerk in charge of that county office, not a deputy. Payment is $15 per document by check or money order payable to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."