VERMONT · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Vermont
In Vermont, apostilles and authentications are not issued at the town or county level; they come from the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA), a division of the Secretary of State. To get one you send the original notarized document or certified Vermont record with the VSARA-35 request form to VSARA in Middlesex/Montpelier, either by mail or in person. Whether your document needs a certified translation depends on direction of travel: a Vermont record going abroad is usually apostilled first and translated after, while a foreign document used in the U.S. is apostilled in its home country and then translated into English. Translation HelpDesk provides USCIS-ready certified translations at $0.05/word (most civil documents $15-25) in 24-48 hours, with a free 250-word sample and a USCIS Rejection Pledge.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA), a division of the Office of the Vermont Secretary of State, which issues apostilles and certificates of authentication on the Secretary of State's behalf.
HOW IT WORKS IN VERMONT
Getting an Apostille in Vermont
In Vermont, apostilles and authentications are handled by the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA) under the Secretary of State, not by a county clerk. You submit the original notarized document or certified Vermont public record (for example, a Vermont birth or marriage certificate or a court record) along with a completed VSARA-35 Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request form and the fee. Requests are accepted in person or by mail at VSARA, 1078 U.S. Route 2, Middlesex (mailing: Montpelier, VT 05633-7701); note that VSARA does not accept credit or debit cards, so payment is by check or money order payable to the "VT Secretary of State." VSARA authenticates the official's signature and seal, not the content or any translation, so make sure the underlying document is properly notarized or state-certified before you submit it.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
The Vermont apostille validates the notary or issuing official's signature and seal, never the accuracy of a translation, so sequence matters. For a Vermont document going to a non-English-speaking country, get the VSARA apostille first, then have the document and the apostille certificate itself translated by a certified translator, since most receiving countries want the apostille translated too. The most common mistake is translating first and expecting VSARA to apostille the translation, or notarizing a loose translation and assuming the apostille then "certifies" it.
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: Vermont's apostille/authentication fee is modest (recently about $10 per document); confirm the current amount with VSARA before submitting, and note that payment is by check or money order to the "VT Secretary of State" only (no credit or debit cards). Separately, Translation HelpDesk certified translation is $0.05/word, with most civil documents $15-25.
Typical processing: In person at VSARA, apostilles are typically same-day; by mail, generally about 3-5 business days plus mailing time. Translation HelpDesk certified translations are delivered in 24-48 hours.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Vermont?
The Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA), part of the Office of the Secretary of State, issues apostilles and certificates of authentication. Vermont town clerks and county offices do not issue them, though they may provide the certified copy or notarization you need first.
Should I translate my document before or after getting the Vermont apostille?
For a Vermont-issued document going to another country, get the apostille from VSARA first, then translate both the document and the apostille certificate. For a foreign document you plan to use in the U.S., it is apostilled in the country that issued it, and then you order a certified English translation. In both cases the translation is a separate step from the apostille.
Does the Vermont apostille certify that my translation is accurate?
No. The apostille only authenticates the signature and seal of the notary or public official on the document. It says nothing about the accuracy of any translation. That is why you still need a certified translation with a signed statement of accuracy for USCIS, courts, or foreign authorities.
How do I submit an apostille request to VSARA?
Submit the original notarized document or certified Vermont record with a completed VSARA-35 request form and the fee, either in person or by mail to VSARA at 1078 U.S. Route 2, Middlesex (mailing address Montpelier, VT 05633-7701). VSARA does not take credit or debit cards; pay by check or money order made out to the VT Secretary of State. Confirm the current fee and hours before sending.
How much does a certified translation cost and how fast is it?
Translation HelpDesk charges $0.05 per word, with most civil documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates running about $15-25 each, delivered in 24-48 hours. You can request a free 250-word sample first, and every translation is backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge. Reach us by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com.