Apostille My Document
APOSTILLE MY DOCUMENT Official Guide & Forms
Official Form

Illinois Apostille Request Form (I-213)

Download the official Application for Authentication or Apostille (Form I-213) for Illinois. Learn how to pay the $2.00 fee and ensure your birth certificate has the required embossed seal.

Amelia Rivera
Verified by Amelia Rivera
Updated January 2026

Quick Facts

Form ID
I-213
Office
IL Secretary of State, Index Dept
Fee
$2.00 per document
Payment
Check/Money Order to "Secretary of State"
Mail to
Index Department, 111 E. Monroe, Springfield, IL 62756
Walk-In (Chicago)
17 N. State St., Suite 1030, Chicago, IL 60602

Embossed Seal Requirement

Check Your Seal!

Illinois requires all certified copies (Birth, Death, Marriage) to have a raised, embossed seal from the County Clerk or Local Registrar.

If your document has a flat, colored, or digital seal, it will likely be rejected. Rub your thumb over the seal—you must feel the bump.

Fill Out Form I-213 (Step-by-Step)

Section 1 — Applicant Info

Provide your name, address, and daytime phone number.

Section 2 — Document Country

Clearly write the name of the country where the document will be used. Illinois creates the certificate specifically for that country.

Section 3 — Fee Calculation

The fee is incredibly straightforward:

$2.00 × Number of Documents

Example: 5 birth certificates = $10.00.

Payable to: "Secretary of State".

Mailing Checklist

Include these items:

  1. Form I-213 — Completed
  2. Your Document(s) — With embossed seals
  3. Payment — Check/Money Order ($2 per doc)
  4. Return Envelope — Self-addressed with postage

Common Rejection Reasons (Illinois-Specific)

  • No Embossed Seal — Sending a document with a flat/ink signature only.
  • Wrong Notary — Notary failed to include their expiration date or full jurat.
  • Missing Country — Failing to list the destination country on the form.

Where to Mail

Illinois Secretary of State
Index Department
111 E. Monroe
Springfield, IL 62756

Illinois Document Guides

Make sure your document is eligible before paying the $2 fee.

→ IL Birth Certificate Guide → IL Marriage Certificate Guide → IL Death Certificate Guide → FBI Background Check (Federal)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an apostille in Chicago?

Yes, the office at 17 N. State St., Suite 1030 offers walk-in service.

How do I get an embossed seal?

You must order a certified copy from the County Clerk where the event occurred. Most computer-generated copies from the state health department are acceptable, but County Clerk copies are preferred for legal certainty.

Source: Illinois Secretary of State — Index Department

Last checked: January 2026

We're a private service and not affiliated with the IL Secretary of State. Requirements can change—verify if your case is time-sensitive.