Do it yourself

In the state of Delaware, apostilles on documents issued by a Delaware Government Officer (state vital records registrars, judge or county clerk) or acknowledged by a notary public, are provided by the Division of Corporations office in Dover.

Documents submitted for apostille must comply with the following guidelines:

  • Birth, death and marriage certificates need the signature of the State RegistrarKaryl Thomas Rattay, M.D. at the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.
  • Notarized documents need to include a properly executed jurat certificate with notary stamp, signature and date and proof of notary appointment.
  • Documents written in another language need to be translated into English before an apostille can be issued.
  • In order to receive the apostille, the document must be a regular 8.5 by 11 inch paper, printed in black ink, with 1 inch margins on the sides and 2 inches at the bottom.
  • Academic diplomas, transcripts or records need to be notarized by the school registrar before being submitted for apostille.
  • If you intend to use your document in a country that is part of The Hague Convention, you require an apostille.  Otherwise, you need authentication and embassy/consular legalization afterwards.

For new copies of vital records please contact:

New Castle County
University Plaza-Chopin Building
Phone (302) 283-7130

Kent County
Jesse S. Cooper Building
Phone (302) 744-4549

Sussex County
Adams State Service Center
Phone (302) 856-5495

Apostille Delaware contacts:

Visit in person or mail documents to:
Delaware Secretary of State
Division of Corporations
John G Townsend Building
401 Federal Street
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302)739-3073

Website: http://corp.delaware.gov/apost_info.shtml
Email:  corp@delaware.gov

Price and processing time:
Price is $30 per apostille for regular service. For expedited services price range is from $50 to $1,000.
Processing time is same-day counter service or 14 days for mailed orders.