The cost to apostille US documents for international use has a wide range — from $5 for a state apostille fee to $300+ when you factor in professional service fees, FBI processing, and certified translation. This guide breaks down every cost so you can budget accurately before starting your residency process.
| State apostille fee | $5–$30 per document (state-dependent) |
| Federal apostille fee | $20 per document (US Department of State) |
| Certified copy of birth certificate | $10–$25 (state vital records) |
| FBI background check | $18 FBI fee + ~$17.50 channeler fee (expedited) + $20 DOS apostille |
| Certified Spanish translation | $75–$150 per document |
| Professional apostille service | $50–$150 per document (above state/federal fees) |
State Apostille Fees
Every Secretary of State sets its own apostille fee. These are the government fees only — they don’t include the certified copy or any professional service fees.
| State | Apostille Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| California | $20/document | 2–3 weeks by mail |
| New York | $10/document | 1–2 weeks |
| Texas | $15/document | 5–10 business days |
| Florida | $10/document | 5–10 business days |
| Illinois | $2/document | 1–2 weeks |
| Georgia | $10/document | 5–10 business days |
| Nevada | $20/document | 1 week |
| Colorado | $10/document | 1–2 weeks |
See processing times for all 50 states: How Long Does an Apostille Take? State-by-State Guide
Federal Documents: US Department of State
Federal documents (FBI background checks, IRS letters, federal court documents, CRBA birth certificates) are apostilled by the US Department of State — not a state SOS.
- Fee: $20 per document
- Processing time: 3–5 business days by mail
- Submit to: US Department of State, Office of Authentications, Washington DC
FBI Background Check: Full Cost Breakdown
The FBI background check is typically the most expensive single document in a residency application due to the number of steps involved:
| Step | Cost |
|---|---|
| FBI processing fee (direct channel) | $18 |
| Expedited channeler fee (e.g. Identogo) — optional but recommended | $17.25–$25 |
| US Department of State apostille | $20 |
| Certified Spanish translation | $75–$150 |
| Total (expedited) | ~$130–$210 |
Professional Apostille Service Fees
If you use a professional apostille service (to avoid the coordination hassle of managing multiple offices across different states), add $50–$150 per document on top of government fees.
These services handle the logistics: obtaining certified copies, coordinating with state offices, and submitting for apostille — often with faster turnaround than going direct due to established relationships with state offices.
Whether it’s worth the extra cost depends on your situation. If all your documents are from the same state and you’re comfortable with the process, DIY is straightforward. If you have documents from multiple states (born in California, married in Texas, divorced in New York), professional coordination saves significant time and reduces errors.
Certified Translation Costs
Every apostilled document submitted to Latin American immigration authorities must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator. This cost is separate from the apostille fees:
- Standard certified translation: $75–$120 per document
- Sworn translator (some countries require this): $100–$150 per document
- Turnaround: 3–7 business days typical; rush 24–48 hours for additional fee
Total Budget by Application Type
| Application | Documents | Estimated Total (incl. translation) |
|---|---|---|
| Single applicant (Paraguay, Colombia, Panama) | Birth cert + FBI check | $250–$420 |
| Couple, no prior marriages | 2x birth cert + 2x FBI + 1x marriage cert | $550–$900 |
| Single applicant, previously divorced | Birth cert + FBI check + divorce cert | $350–$600 |
| Using professional apostille service (add) | Per document service fee | +$150–$450 |
Need apostilles completed fast?
ApostilleUSA — Remote apostille service covering all 50 states. State documents in 1–3 weeks, FBI/federal 5–7 business days expedited. No in-person visits required.
Related: Processing Times · Apostille vs Notarization · Full Checklist · MLL Apostille Service · What Is an Apostille?
