Wisconsin apostille services.
Get Wisconsin documents apostilled for use abroad — birth certificates, powers of attorney, diplomas, and corporate records — with each routed to the right authority: the Wisconsin Secretary of State (or DFI) for state records, or the U.S. Department of State for federal ones like FBI background checks. In person at our two San Diego offices, or by secure, tracked mail from anywhere in Wisconsin.
Get your apostille quote
Tell us about your document — we'll confirm the process, price, and estimated completion time.
Apostille in Wisconsin, handled end to end.
An apostille authenticates the seal and signature on a Wisconsin document so it's accepted abroad under the Hague Apostille Convention. Wisconsin is unusual in having two authorities that issue apostilles — the Secretary of State and the Department of Financial Institutions — both in Madison.
For a Hague-country apostille, either office works; but for a non-Hague country, only the Secretary of State can authenticate the document. Routing it to the right office, with a properly certified record, is what keeps a filing on track.
We prepare, submit, and track your Wisconsin apostille from start to finish — sending it to the correct authority for your destination — in person at our two San Diego offices or by secure, tracked mail from anywhere in Wisconsin.
One partner for every Wisconsin document
State or federal, we route each document to the right authority the first time — and handle the county certification, notarization, or translation it needs along the way.
Wisconsin requirements
What Wisconsin documents need first.
Every document type has its own rule in Wisconsin. Getting it right the first time is what avoids a rejection and a second wait.
Two authorities — and only one covers non-Hague countries
Wisconsin apostilles are issued by both the Secretary of State and the Department of Financial Institutions, so for a Hague Convention country either office works. But for a non-Hague country, only the Secretary of State can issue the authentication. We route your document to the right office for its destination.
Vital records can't be notarized — county or state
A Wisconsin birth, death, or marriage record must be an official certified copy from a county Register of Deeds, a County Clerk of Courts, or the state Vital Records office — county copies are accepted. It may not be notarized, and a hospital “souvenir” copy or photocopy is rejected. We obtain the correct certified copy for you.
Notarized documents go straight to the state
A power of attorney or affidavit notarized by a Wisconsin notary goes directly to the issuing office — there's no county pre-certification step — as long as the notarial certificate is complete, with the venue, statement, date, seal, and commission expiration. We notarize your document correctly for you.
Corporate records — the Certificate of Status
Wisconsin's proof of good standing is the Certificate of Status from the Department of Financial Institutions, which can also apostille it. We obtain the certificate and apostille it together, in one order.
Documents we apostille in Wisconsin
From vital records to corporate filings — routed to the correct authority. Don't see yours? We almost certainly handle it.
Related: Certified translation · Certificate of Good Standing · Mobile notary · FBI apostille
From anywhere in Wisconsin to done.
Walk in at either San Diego office, or use our secure mail-in service from anywhere in Wisconsin.
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Tell us your Wisconsin document
Share the document and its destination country. We confirm whether it needs the Wisconsin Secretary of State (or DFI) or the U.S. Department of State, and give you a flat price.
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Send it or let us obtain it
Mail your Wisconsin document with our prepaid, tracked label — or we obtain the certified copy from the issuing agency for you.
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We authenticate it
We submit it to the correct authority — the Wisconsin Secretary of State (or DFI) for state documents, or the U.S. Department of State for federal ones — and track it through.
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Delivered ready to use
Your apostilled Wisconsin document returns by tracked, insured mail, with a digital scan for your records.
Serving all of Wisconsin
Use our secure, tracked mail-in service from anywhere in Wisconsin — with a free prepaid FedEx label, both ways.
Or walk in — two San Diego offices
Wisconsin apostille questions, answered.
How much does an apostille cost in Wisconsin?+
It depends on the document and how fast you need it. In Wisconsin, a document may route through the Secretary of State or the Department of Financial Institutions depending on its type — we confirm which. You get a flat, all-in quote before any work begins, with no hidden fees.
Who issues apostilles in Wisconsin?+
Wisconsin has two competent authorities — the Secretary of State and the Department of Financial Institutions — and either can issue a Hague-country apostille. For a non-Hague country, only the Secretary of State can authenticate the document. We route yours to the correct office for its destination.
How long does a Wisconsin apostille take?+
A walk-in at the Secretary of State's Madison office can be same-day; standard mail runs roughly one to three weeks, and expedited service is faster. We confirm the current turnaround and route your document the fastest way for your deadline.
Do Wisconsin birth certificates need anything special?+
A Wisconsin birth, death, or marriage record must be an official certified copy from a county Register of Deeds, a County Clerk of Courts, or the state Vital Records office. It cannot be notarized, and a hospital 'souvenir' copy or photocopy is rejected. We obtain the correct copy for you.
Is my FBI background check apostilled in Wisconsin?+
No. FBI background checks are federal, so they're apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC — not by Wisconsin — even if you live in Wisconsin. We handle that federal route in the same order.
Can I get a Wisconsin apostille from San Diego?+
Yes. We serve all of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, and beyond — by secure, tracked mail, and you're welcome at either of our two San Diego walk-in offices.
Apostille in other states
We handle apostilles from all 50 states and D.C. — here are our in-depth state guides.
Get your Wisconsin apostille started.
Tell us your document and destination country — a specialist replies within one business day with a flat quote and a realistic timeline.