Illinois Power of Attorney Apostille
A complete guide to apostilling your Power of Attorney document for international use. Illinois requires a critical 3-step process.
At a Glance — 2026 Snapshot
| Processing Time | 7–10 business days (mail) or same day (walk-in) |
| State Fee | $2.00 |
| ⚠️ Critical Step | County Clerk authentication REQUIRED before state apostille |
| Notary Required? | ✅ Yes — Illinois notary commissioned in your county |
| Walk-In Locations | Chicago & Springfield |
| Top Rejection Reason | ❌ Missing County Clerk authentication |
Bottom line: Illinois POAs require THREE steps: (1) Illinois notary, (2) County Clerk authentication, (3) State apostille. Skip step 2 = rejection!
🚨 Illinois's Unique 3-Step Requirement
You CANNOT skip the County Clerk step! This is mandatory in Illinois.
Notarization: Sign POA in front of Illinois notary public
County Clerk Authentication: Clerk adds authentication certificate + embossed seal
State Apostille: Illinois Secretary of State issues apostille
⚡ Common Mistake: Many people send their notarized POA directly to the Secretary of State, skipping the County Clerk. This results in REJECTION and wasted time.
Requirements Checklist
You MUST Have
- ✓ POA notarized by Illinois notary
- ✓ County Clerk authentication certificate attached
- ✓ Embossed County Clerk seal clearly visible
- ✓ Form I-213 (Application for Apostille)
- ✓ $2.00 fee (check/money order to "Secretary of State")
You CANNOT Use
- ✗ POA notarized in another state
- ✗ Notarized POA without County Clerk authentication
- ✗ Photocopies (even if notarized)
- ✗ Faded or missing embossed seal
- ✗ Electronic/digital notarization (Illinois requires ink)
Step-by-Step Process
Draft or Obtain Your Power of Attorney
Create your POA document using a template, attorney, or online service. Common types include General POA, Special POA, or Durable POA. Do NOT sign it yet!
💡 Tip: Many countries require specific language or formatting. Check with the receiving country's consulate before drafting your POA.
Get It Notarized by an Illinois Notary
Bring the unsigned POA and a valid photo ID to an Illinois notary public. Sign the document in their presence. The notary will:
- Verify your identity
- Watch you sign the POA
- Complete their notarial certificate
- Affix their official seal/stamp
⚠️ Important: The notary must be commissioned in Illinois. Out-of-state notaries cannot be authenticated by Illinois County Clerks.
County Clerk Authentication
Take or mail your notarized POA to the County Clerk's office in the county where the notary is commissioned. The Clerk will:
- Verify the notary's commission/signature
- Attach an authentication certificate
- Add an embossed County Clerk seal
Fee: Typically $2-$10 per document (varies by county).
📍 Find Your County Clerk: Search "[Your County] Illinois County Clerk authentication" or call the Clerk's office for instructions.
Submit to Illinois Secretary of State
Once you have the County Clerk authentication, submit your POA to the Illinois Secretary of State Index Department along with:
- Completed Form I-213
- $2.00 fee (check or money order payable to "Secretary of State")
- Self-addressed return envelope with postage (if mailing)
Mailing Address:
Illinois Secretary of StateIndex Department
111 E. Monroe St.
Springfield, IL 62756
Walk-In Locations:
- 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
Types of Power of Attorney
General POA
Grants broad powers to manage your affairs (financial, real estate, business). Ends if you become incapacitated.
Special/Limited POA
Grants authority for a specific task (e.g., sell a property, manage one bank account). Most common for international use.
Durable POA
Remains valid even if you become incapacitated. Often used for healthcare or long-term financial planning.
Complete Cost Breakdown & Timeline
| Step | Fee | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Notarization | $10–$25 | Same day |
| 2. County Clerk Authentication | $2–$10 | 1-3 days |
| 3. State Apostille (Mail) | $2.00 | 7-10 business days |
| 3. State Apostille (Walk-In) | $2.00 | Same day |
| Total (approximate) | $14–$37 | 8-14 days (mail) / 2-4 days (walk-in) |
Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping the County Clerk Step
This is the #1 rejection reason. The state will NOT accept a POA without County Clerk authentication.
Using an Out-of-State Notary
Illinois County Clerks can only authenticate Illinois notaries. Get it notarized in Illinois!
Going to the Wrong County Clerk
You must go to the County Clerk in the county where the notary is commissioned, not where you live.
Wrong Payee on Check
The $2 fee must be payable to "Secretary of State" exactly, not "IL SOS" or other variations.
Missing Form I-213
You must include the completed Application for Apostille form. Download it from the Illinois SOS website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to draft a POA?
No, but it's recommended for complex situations. Many online services offer POA templates. Just ensure it meets the legal requirements of both Illinois and the receiving country.
Can I apostille a POA that was notarized years ago?
Yes, as long as it was notarized by an Illinois notary. However, some countries require recent documents (within 3-6 months). Check with the receiving country first.
How long is the apostille valid?
The apostille itself doesn't expire. However, the receiving country or institution may have specific recency requirements for the underlying POA document.
What if the notary is no longer commissioned?
As long as they were commissioned at the time of notarization, it's valid. The County Clerk verifies historical records. If there's an issue, you may need to get the POA re-notarized.
Expert Verified
Amelia Rivera
Senior Apostille Specialist
8+ years experience • Last verified: December 1, 2025