The time it takes to obtain an apostille in the United States varies drastically depending on whether the document is state or federal, and the submission method (mail or in-person). As of July 2026, these are the estimated times:

1. State Documents

Most documents (birth, marriage, diplomas, notarized) are processed at the state level.

• In person (Walk-in): This is the fastest option. Many states offer same-day or 24-hour service if presented personally at the Secretary of State's office.

  • States with fast service: California, Florida, New York, Maryland, Kentucky, Georgia, and North Carolina.

• By mail: Standard times range from 3 days to 5 weeks, depending on the state's workload.

  • Fast (3-5 business days): Ohio, Arizona, Florida, New York.

  • Medium (1-3 weeks): California (3-5 weeks by mail), North Carolina.

  • Slow (4-5 weeks or more): Texas (~25 business days), New Jersey (12-20 business days).

2. Federal Documents

Documents such as FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, or IRS documents are processed exclusively in Washington D.C. by the Department of State.

• By mail: Standard processing currently takes 2 to 4 weeks once received, plus shipping time (estimated total 6 to 8 weeks). No official expedited mail service exists.

• In person (Drop-off): This is the most efficient option. By delivering the document to the Washington D.C. office (Monday to Thursday morning), the processing time is approximately 7 to 9 business days.

• Emergency appointments: Only available for life-or-death situations with proven international travel within less than 2 weeks; these are processed the same day.

Strategy Summary

To minimize times, the general rule is to avoid mail whenever possible. If the document is state-level, submit it in person at the respective state capital to get it in 24 hours. If it is federal, use the drop-off service in Washington D.C. to reduce the time from months to one week.