Maryland Apostille
Starting at $180 per document
Start Maryland Apostille Order →Not Every Document Needs an Apostille.
Sometimes you need a certified translation. Sometimes you need a notarization first. Sometimes you need a federal authentication instead of a state apostille. We'll review your documents for free before you spend money on the wrong service.
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Start Your Apostille Order
Choose the service for your document. Janet reviews your request and confirms the requirements, price and payment instructions before processing. Upload documents where requested; Maryland requests currently use email or WhatsApp for scans. Originals may still be required.
DC Apostille
$180 per document + optional $20 U.S. shipping
Start DC Apostille Order →Federal Apostille
$200 per document
Start Federal Apostille Order →Out-of-State Apostille
Starting at $200 per document
Start Out-of-State Apostille Order →Maryland Apostille Update · October 14, 2026
Maryland SOS Is Now By Appointment Only
Beginning October 1, 2026, in-person service at the Maryland Secretary of State’s Certification Desk requires an appointment. Certification Desk hours are 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Monday–Friday, excluding state holidays. Do not rely on walk-in acceptance.
Plan ahead, especially if you have a travel or filing deadline. Appointment availability and document readiness affect your timeline. Same-day or urgent completion is not guaranteed, and requests without a confirmed appointment may be turned away.
Maryland Mobile Notary Express can review your documents and help coordinate courier submission or a mail-in option. Contact us before mailing documents or making travel plans so we can discuss the available submission route and estimated timing.
Mail-in service remains an alternative. The SOS currently lists approximately 3–4 days of processing for FedEx, UPS, and USPS Priority Mail submissions, and 7–14 business days for regular mail. These are agency estimates, not a guaranteed end-to-end delivery time; allow additional time for shipping and document preparation.
Possible construction changes: The SOS warns that construction may begin around mid-October and may temporarily shift service to mail-in only. Confirm current availability before planning an in-person submission.
Planning to submit directly? Schedule an appointment with Maryland SOS. See the official SOS updates or call the Certification Desk at 410-974-5521.
1,000+
Document Reviews
99%
State Apostille Accuracy
By Appointment
Maryland SOS In-Person Submissions
11 Business Days
Estimated Federal Processing
If you live in Maryland, DC or VA, visit our Locations Served page to find Apostille Services and mobile notary support near you.
Overview
Getting Your Documents Accepted Abroad
Need help getting your documents accepted for use abroad? I provide Apostille Services for a wide range of state, federal, and personal documents — and help you understand which process is correct for your destination country.
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is an official certificate that allows your documents to be recognized in another country. It verifies the authenticity of the signature, seal, or stamp on a public document for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
If your destination country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, your documents may require authentication and embassy or consular legalization instead. That's why the first step is determining the correct process before submitting your documents.
Choose Your Service
Which Apostille Service Do You Need?
The correct process depends on who issued your document and the country where it will be used. Every country has its own requirements. Choose the closest match below, or send your documents for a free review if you're not sure.
State Issued
State Apostille
For documents issued by Maryland, DC, Virginia, or another state or local government office.
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Diplomas and school records
- Divorce decrees and business records
Featured Service
U.S. Federal Agency
Federal Apostille
For documents issued by a U.S. federal agency and processed through the U.S. Department of State.
- FBI background checks
- FBI Identity History Summary reports
- Social Security and VA letters
- Federal court and agency records
Personally Prepared
Personal Documents
For documents prepared by an individual or business that may need notarization before apostille.
- Powers of attorney and affidavits
- Consent and authorization letters
- Passport and driver license copies
Federal Apostille Services
Federal Documents Follow a Different Process
If your document was issued by a U.S. federal agency, it does not go to the Maryland Secretary of State. Federal apostille and authentication requests are processed through the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC.
Need an Apostille in Maryland or an Apostille FBI Background Check? Maryland Mobile Notary Express is based in Glen Burnie, close to the Annapolis apostille office, with convenient mobile pickup and delivery available for qualifying orders.
FBI Background Checks
FBI Background Reports
Federal Court Records
Social Security Letters
VA Benefit Letters
Why Clients Use My Apostille Service
I help save you time, money, and worry by reviewing your documents first, guiding you through the correct process, and helping you avoid unnecessary delays or trips.
- Mobile pickup and delivery available for qualifying apostille orders.
- Free review of your documentation before you submit anything.
- Bilingual service in English and Spanish.
- No need to travel to DC for many federal apostille requests — courier service is available.
- Updated process guidance so you know the right steps before you start.
- Personalized document guidance for state, federal, and personal documents.
- Fewer mistakes and delays by catching issues before submission.
- Convenient support from start to finish with clear communication throughout the process.
Not sure which apostille process applies?
Send a photo or scan first. I can review the document, confirm whether it is state, federal, DC-issued, or personal, and help you avoid paying for the wrong process.
Common Reasons
Why Clients Need Apostille Services
Dual Citizenship
Marriage Abroad
Visas & Immigration
Study Abroad Programs
International Employment
Business Filings
Foreign Property Matters
Overseas Legal Use
Not Sure Which Type of Document You Have?
Many clients know they need Apostille Services but aren't sure whether their document is state-issued, federally issued, or a personal document. I help identify the document type, review the destination country, and guide you through the next steps clearly and efficiently.
Save the trip, the guesswork, and the stress.
Whether your document needs a Maryland apostille, DC apostille, federal apostille, certified translation, or notarization before apostille, I can help you choose the correct path before you spend time or money on the wrong step.
You may not need our most expensive service.
If all you need is a notarization, we’ll tell you.
If your document only needs a translation, we’ll tell you.
If another state can process it faster, we’ll tell you.
Our goal is to get your documents accepted—not sell you services you don’t need.
FAQ
Apostille Services — Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about apostilles, document requirements, or the process? Here are answers to some of the most common questions we receive.
Do I need an appointment for a Maryland apostille? ▾
Yes. Beginning October 1, 2026, the Maryland Secretary of State’s Certification Desk provides in-person service by appointment only, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Monday–Friday, excluding state holidays. Contact us to coordinate your apostille service, or use the official SOS appointment link above if you plan to submit directly. Confirm availability before traveling because construction may temporarily change in-person service.
Can you help with an urgent Maryland apostille? ▾
Send a readable scan or photo and your deadline first. We can review document readiness and discuss appointment-based courier submission or a mail-in option. Same-day service and completion by a specific deadline are not guaranteed. An urgent request does not guarantee walk-in acceptance or an appointment.
How long does a Maryland apostille take now? ▾
Timing depends on appointment availability, the submission route, and whether the documents need notarization or Circuit Court certification first. The SOS currently lists approximately 3–4 days of processing for FedEx, UPS, and USPS Priority Mail submissions, and 7–14 business days for regular mail. Shipping time is additional. These estimates can change, especially if construction affects service. Contact us for an estimate specific to your documents and deadline.
What if I'm in another state or country? ▾
No problem. I can review your documents remotely to make sure everything is correct. After review, we will confirm whether an original must be mailed or whether a digital document can be used, then coordinate the correct process.
How do I get an apostille for my FBI Background Check? ▾
An FBI Identity History Summary is a federal report processed through the U.S. Department of State for apostille or authentication. A fingerprint card used to request the report is a different document; send it for review rather than assuming it follows the same route.
Learn more about Federal Apostille Services →
Learn more about Federal Apostille Services →
Can I send a copy of my birth certificate? ▾
A regular photocopy is not sufficient. Use an official certified birth record from the issuing authority. Send a scan for review first; acceptance depends on the issuing official and the receiving country’s requirements.
How do I get my Maryland marriage certificate? ▾
Contact the clerk's office in the county where you were married and order a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
My Maryland divorce paper is signed by a judge — can I use it for an apostille? ▾
Request a certified copy from the Circuit Court that issued the decree. We will review its certification, authorized signature and seal before submission. A judge-signed document alone may not include the needed certification.
I'm planning to get married abroad and need a single status letter. Can you help? ▾
Yes! The single status affidavit is one of several documents typically required for marrying abroad. There are two types: a court-issued letter (which can take a few months to obtain) and a single status affidavit. Contact us to discuss which option is right for your timeline and destination country.
Can I apostille my diploma? ▾
Ask the receiving institution whether it needs an original diploma or a certified copy. We can coordinate the school certification, notarization and Maryland authentication steps appropriate to your document.
How do I apostille my school transcripts? ▾
Request official records from the school. If supplied in a sealed envelope, keep it sealed for the notary. Maryland processing may require notarization and Circuit Court certification first. Translation and separate apostille requirements depend on the receiving agency; contact us before ordering extra services.
Can you translate my driving record or driver's license? ▾
Yes! Contact us with the destination country and language and we can arrange a certified translation of your driving record or driver's license — commonly needed for international driver's license applications.
How do I apostille my driver's license? ▾
A notary visit is required for this service. Call us for details and to schedule an appointment.
I want to apply for dual citizenship for my child but I'm not sure where to start. Can you help? ▾
Yes. The first step is deciding where the application will be filed. If applying in the United States, it is generally easier to process through the destination country's embassy or consulate here. If applying overseas, the documents will need to be apostilled and translated. Call us with the country and we can walk you through the options and timelines.
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Single Status Affidavit
Order your Single Status Affidavit with Maryland notarization for $120 per affidavit. Choose the affidavit language and enter your requested appointment date, time and full signing address in the order form. Janet will confirm appointment availability and send payment instructions.
Affidavit & Maryland Notary
$120 per affidavit
Language choice and Maryland notarization included.
Optional Apostille & U.S. Shipping
+$200 per affidavit
Shipping included to a U.S. address only. Enter the country of use in the order form.
Optional Rush Service
+$50 per order
Affidavit plus apostille with U.S. shipping: $320. With rush: $370.
Identification: upload a clear scan of your government-issued photo ID in the order form. Bring your original ID to the signing. Janet will review your request and send payment instructions after confirming the details.
Delivery: send your U.S. delivery address by email or WhatsApp. For an international address, send your prepaid shipping label to janetnotarymd@gmail.com or WhatsApp 410-210-9773. International postage is not included.
Need Help with Apostille Services?
Contact Maryland Mobile Notary Express for Apostille Services in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. I'll help determine whether your document is state, federal, or personal — and whether it may also need certified translation or legalization support.