Illinois Passport Copy Apostille
A complete guide to apostilling a photocopy of your passport for international use. Illinois uses the "True Copy" certification method with mandatory County Clerk authentication.
At a Glance — 2026 Snapshot
| Processing Time | 7–10 business days (mail) or same day (walk-in) |
| State Fee | $2.00 |
| ⚠️ Critical Step | "True Copy" affidavit + County Clerk authentication REQUIRED |
| Notary Required? | ✅ Yes — YOU sign affidavit in front of Illinois notary |
| Original Passport Needed? | Only for notarization (notary must see it) |
| Top Rejection Reason | ❌ Trying to apostille plain photocopy without "true copy" affidavit |
Bottom line: You can't apostille a simple photocopy. You must create a "true copy" affidavit, get it notarized, County Clerk authenticated, then state apostilled.
📋 What is a "True Copy" Affidavit?
This is a sworn statement YOU sign (under oath) confirming that a photocopy is a true and accurate reproduction of your original passport.
Why is this necessary?
- Original passports can't be apostilled (they're property of issuing government)
- Plain photocopies have no legal standing
- The affidavit creates a notarizable document that can enter the apostille chain
Requirements Checklist
You MUST Have
- ✓ Original passport (to show notary)
- ✓ Photocopy of passport (data pages)
- ✓ "True copy" affidavit (see sample below)
- ✓ Notarization by Illinois notary
- ✓ County Clerk authentication
- ✓ Form I-213 completed
- ✓ $2.00 fee to "Secretary of State"
You CANNOT Use
- ✗ Original passport for apostille (it's gov't property)
- ✗ Plain photocopy without affidavit
- ✗ Out-of-state notarization
- ✗ Notarized copy without County Clerk step
- ✗ Expired passport (most countries require valid)
Step-by-Step Process
Make a High-Quality Photocopy
Photocopy the data/bio pages of your passport (the pages with your photo, name, passport number). Make sure the copy is clear and legible.
💡 Tip: Copy both sides if your passport has information on both. Some countries require all visa pages too—check requirements.
Draft a "True Copy" Affidavit
Create a short sworn statement (see sample below). This document states that the attached photocopy is a true and accurate copy of your passport.
Do NOT sign it yet! You must sign in front of the notary.
Get It Notarized
Bring to an Illinois notary public:
- Your original passport (notary must verify it)
- The photocopy
- The unsigned affidavit
- Valid photo ID
The notary will watch you sign the affidavit, verify your identity, and attach their seal.
⚠️ Important: Notary must be commissioned in Illinois. Fee typically $10-$25.
County Clerk Authentication
Take your notarized affidavit (with photocopy attached) to the County Clerk in the county where the notary is commissioned.
The Clerk will:
- Verify the notary's commission
- Attach an authentication certificate
- Add embossed seal
Fee: $2-$10 per document.
Submit to Illinois Secretary of State
Mail or hand-deliver to the Illinois SOS Index Department:
- Notarized affidavit + County Clerk authentication
- Completed Form I-213
- $2.00 fee (check/money order to "Secretary of State")
- Return envelope with postage
Mailing Address:
Illinois Secretary of StateIndex Department
111 E. Monroe St.
Springfield, IL 62756
Walk-In Option:
- Springfield: 111 E. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62756
- Chicago: 17 N. State St., Suite 1030, Chicago, IL 60602
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM CST
Sample "True Copy" Affidavit
Affidavit of True Copy
I, [Your Full Name], being duly sworn, depose and state:
1. I am the holder of passport number [Passport Number], issued by [Country].
2. The attached photocopy is a true, accurate, and complete reproduction of the data/bio pages of my original passport.
3. I have personally compared the photocopy to the original passport and confirm that the photocopy is an exact copy with no alterations or omissions.
4. I make this affidavit for the purpose of obtaining an apostille for international use.
Under penalty of perjury, I declare that the foregoing is true and correct.
Signature
Date
Space below for notary seal and signature:
📥 Download Template: Our wizard provides a pre-filled affidavit template customized for your specific passport and destination country.
Complete Cost Breakdown & Timeline
| Step | Fee | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Photocopy | $0.10–$0.50 | Same day |
| 2. Notarization | $10–$25 | Same day |
| 3. County Clerk Authentication | $2–$10 | 1-3 days |
| 4. State Apostille | $2.00 | 7-10 business days |
| Total (approximate) | $14–$37 | 8-14 business days |
Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid
Trying to Apostille a Plain Photocopy
The #1 mistake! You must attach the photocopy to a "true copy" affidavit—the affidavit is what gets notarized and apostilled.
Not Bringing Original Passport to Notary
The notary must see your original passport to verify the photocopy is accurate. Don't leave it at home!
Skipping the County Clerk Step
Even after notarization, you still need County Clerk authentication before state apostille!
Using an Expired Passport
Most countries require your passport to be valid. Check destination requirements before starting this process.
Poor Quality Photocopy
Make sure the copy is clear and legible. Blurry or faded copies may be rejected by the receiving country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send my original passport for apostille?
No. Passports are property of the issuing government and cannot be apostilled. You must use the "true copy" affidavit method with a photocopy.
Which passport pages do I need to copy?
At minimum, the data/bio pages (with your photo, name, passport number). Some countries require all pages including visas and stamps. Check with your receiving institution.
My passport is from another country. Can I still use Illinois?
Yes! You can apostille a photocopy of any passport in Illinois, as long as YOU (the affiant) are present in Illinois to sign the affidavit in front of an Illinois notary.
How long is this apostille valid?
The apostille doesn't expire, but many countries require documents to be recent (3-6 months). Also, if your passport expires or is renewed, you'll need a new apostilled copy.
Expert Verified
Amelia Rivera
Senior Apostille Specialist
8+ years experience • Last verified: December 1, 2025