Verified by state sources — Updated January 8, 2026
$2.00
Same-day (walk-in)
Springfield, IL
If your marriage certificate was issued in Illinois and you need to use it abroad, you must obtain an apostille from the Illinois Secretary of State (Department of Index — Apostille Section) in Springfield. The Illinois Secretary of State is the sole competent authority in Illinois that issues apostilles for Illinois public documents under the Hague Convention. (Illinois SOS Apostille Section)
This guide — updated November 2025 and valid through 2026 — provides the exact 2-step flow (County Clerk → Secretary of State), the $2 fee, walk-in same-day service details, mail processing, and a rejection-proof checklist verified by official Illinois state sources.
| Competent Authority | Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Index — Apostille Section, Springfield |
| Fee (2025) | $2.00 per apostille |
| Walk-in Address | Michael J. Howlett Building, Room 213 501 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62756 |
| Mailing Address | Illinois Secretary of State Department of Index, Apostille Section 111 E. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62756 |
| Processing Time | Same-day or next-day (walk-in); 5-10 business days (mail) |
| Vital Records Source | County Clerk in the county where marriage occurred (e.g., Cook County Clerk for Chicago) |
The apostille process varies by state and document type. Get your exact roadmap — tailored to your situation — in under 2 minutes. No guesswork, no expensive middlemen.
Get Personalized Instructions100% free • Takes less than 2 minutes • Save hundreds on service fees
Contact the County Clerk in the county where the marriage license was issued. Request a certified copy with raised seal (not a photocopy). For Cook County (Chicago): Cook County Clerk Marriage Certificates
If the destination is a Hague Convention member, the Illinois SOS issues an apostille. For non-Hague countries, they issue a Certificate of Authentication (used for subsequent consular legalization).
Download and fill the Illinois Apostille/Authentication Request Form. Include your contact info, destination country, and specify how you want the documents returned.
Download IL SOS FormMake a check or money order payable to "Illinois Secretary of State" for $2.00 per apostille. Walk-in customers can pay cash, check, or money order. Credit cards are NOT accepted.
If mailing, include a self-addressed stamped envelope or prepaid shipping label (FedEx/UPS). For walk-in, no return envelope needed.
Walk-in: Michael J. Howlett Building, Room 213, 501 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62756 (same-day or next-day)
Mail: Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Index, Apostille Section, 111 E. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62756 (5-10 business days)
Maria married in Cook County (Chicago) and needs to join her Italian husband in Rome. She orders a certified marriage certificate from the Cook County Clerk, then submits it to the IL SOS for apostille ($2). After receiving the apostille, she translates the certificate into Italian and submits both to the Italian Consulate in Chicago for her spouse visa application.
Carlos and Ana married in DuPage County, IL, and moved to Madrid. Spain's Civil Registry requires an apostilled marriage certificate to register their U.S. marriage. They obtain a certified copy from DuPage County Clerk, mail it to Springfield IL SOS with the $2 fee and return envelope, receive the apostille in 7 business days, then submit it to the Spanish Registro Civil along with a sworn translation.
Ewa changed her surname after marriage in Illinois and needs to update her Polish passport. The Polish Consulate requires an apostilled marriage certificate to process the name change. She drives to Springfield, submits her certified Cook County certificate at the Howlett Building walk-in counter with $2 cash, and receives the apostille the same day.
This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Always verify current fees, forms, and addresses on the official Illinois Secretary of State website.
Last Updated: January 8, 2026 | Valid for: 2025–2026
Reviewed by: Amelia Rivera, Compliance Editor — Apostille Pro USA
Sources Verified: Illinois SOS official website, Cook County Clerk, Hague Convention member list