Illinois Birth Certificate Apostille
Illinois birth certificates used abroad must be certified government copies. Most requests use certified copies from Illinois Department of Public Health or a county clerk office, then Illinois Secretary of State authentication.
Key rule: Use a certified copy issued by IDPH or the county clerk. Hospital souvenir documents and plain scans are not accepted for apostille.
At a Glance - Illinois 2026 Rules
| Apostille Authority | Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department |
|---|---|
| State Authentication Fee | $2 per Apostille or Certificate of Authority |
| Mail Processing Time | 7 to 14 business days (mail requests) |
| Walk-In Processing | Typically processed while you wait on a first-come, first-served basis (subject to daily volume). |
| Eligible Record Type | Certified Illinois birth certificate issued by IDPH or county clerk |
| Not Accepted | Hospital keepsakes, uncertified copies, plain scans/photocopies |
| Mail Submission Address | Illinois Secretary of State Index Department 69 W. Washington St., Suite 1240 Chicago, IL 60602 |
| In-Person Offices | Secretary of State, Index Department 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway Springfield, IL 62723 Secretary of State, Index Department 69 W. Washington St., Suite 1240 Chicago, IL 60602 |
| Typical Uses | Dual citizenship, visa, marriage abroad, residency, foreign registration |
Document Paths (Choose First)
Path A: IDPH Certified Birth Record
State-issued certified copy from Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records.
- Obtain certified copy from IDPH or county clerk where event occurred.
- Submit original certified copy to Illinois Secretary of State Index Department.
- Include completed request form, one check or money order, and return envelope.
Path B: County-Issued Certified Birth Record
Certified copy issued at county level where birth was recorded.
- Use county-certified record with official signature/seal.
- No notarization needed for valid certified birth records.
- Submit directly to Illinois Secretary of State for apostille.
Accepted vs. Not Accepted Documents
Accepted
- - Certified Illinois birth certificate issued by IDPH Division of Vital Records.
- - Certified birth certificate issued by county clerk where the event occurred.
- - Recent certified copy with official signature and seal.
Not Accepted
- - Hospital souvenir or commemorative birth certificates.
- - Photocopies, scans, or printouts without certification.
- - Birth certificates issued by another state.
Requirements Checklist
MUST HAVE
- Original certified Illinois birth certificate (IDPH or county certified).
- Illinois Application for Authentication request form completed.
- One check or money order payable to "Illinois Secretary of State" ($2 per document).
- Self-addressed stamped envelope or prepaid shipping label for return.
HIGH-RISK MISTAKES
- Submitting hospital birth souvenir instead of legal certified record.
- Sending multiple checks instead of one total payment check/money order.
- Missing return envelope/postage information, delaying return shipment.
- Sending out-of-state certificate to Illinois SOS.
Common Rejections (And How to Avoid Them)
Hospital souvenir copy
Use a legal certified birth certificate from IDPH or county clerk. Souvenir documents are not authentication-ready.
Wrong record format for destination
Some authorities require long-form or recently issued copies. Confirm format rules before submitting to Illinois SOS.
Incomplete SOS packet
Common delays come from missing payment totals, incomplete request details, or no return shipping instructions.
Apostille vs certificate mismatch
If destination is not Hague, use Certificate of Authority path and verify final consular legalization steps.
Step-by-Step: Illinois Birth Certificate Apostille
Get a certified Illinois birth certificate
Order from IDPH Division of Vital Records or county clerk where the birth was recorded. Use a certified legal copy only.
Verify the certificate is apostille-ready
Check that the document is certified and bears official government signature/seal. Do not notarize a copy of a certified vital record.
Prepare the Illinois authentication packet
Complete the Illinois request form, attach one check/money order for total fees, and include return envelope or prepaid shipping label.
Submit to Index Department
Mail to Chicago Index Department or submit in person in Springfield/Chicago.
Receive apostilled record
Mail requests generally process in 7 to 14 business days; in-person requests are often completed while you wait.
Fees and Processing Timing
| Service Item | Current Rule |
|---|---|
| Illinois SOS apostille/authentication fee | $2 per document |
| Birth certificate issuance fee (IDPH/county) | Varies by issuing office (separate from apostille fee) |
| Mail processing time | 7 to 14 business days (state processing estimate) |
| Walk-in processing | Typically same visit on a first-come, first-served basis |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to notarize an Illinois birth certificate before apostille?▼
No. Certified Illinois vital records are government records and are submitted as certified copies.
What is the Illinois apostille fee?▼
Illinois Secretary of State charges $2 per Apostille or Certificate of Authority.
How long does Illinois mail processing take?▼
The Illinois SOS apostille page currently states 7 to 14 business days for mail requests.
Can I submit in person?▼
Yes. Springfield and Chicago Index Department offices accept in-person submissions.
Can Illinois apostille a birth certificate from another state?▼
No. Out-of-state records must be apostilled by the issuing state authority.
Are hospital birth records accepted?▼
No. Use only certified government-issued birth records.
Can someone else submit for me?▼
Yes, as long as the packet is complete and the record is valid for authentication.
What if destination country is not Hague?▼
Use Certificate of Authority path. Additional legalization steps may be required by destination consulate.
Official Sources Used For This Page
Below are the official government and convention sources used to prepare and verify this page.
Core Illinois Authentication Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State - Apostilles and Certifications
- Illinois Application for Authentication/Apostille (Form I-213 PDF)
- Illinois Secretary of State - Index Department (addresses and contact)
- Illinois SOS Index Fees (includes $2 Apostille/Certificate fee)
- Hague Apostille Convention Status Table
Illinois Vital Records Sources
Expert Verified
Amelia Rivera
Senior Apostille Specialist
Last verification update: February 17, 2026
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