New York apostilles are issued by the New York Department of State for $10 per document. Many documents need county clerk certification first. AI Fingerprinting handles requests by mail.
Last reviewed: . Government fees and office details were checked against the official sources listed below.
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Key facts
| Issuing office | New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, Apostille and Authentication Unit |
|---|---|
| State fee | $10 per document. A county clerk certification, where required, is $3 per document. |
| State processing time | Same day for walk-in customers, up to 10 documents each. The Department publishes no processing time for mail requests. |
| Where issued | Walk-in offices in New York City, Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo and Utica. Mail requests go to Albany. |
| Form | DOS-1917-f, “Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request” (Rev. 02/24), two pages |
| Payment | Check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank, or MasterCard, Visa or American Express. Cash is not accepted. |
These are government figures. AI Fingerprinting’s service fee is separate and quoted on request.
Who issues apostilles in New York?
The New York Department of State issues every New York apostille. Its Apostille and Authentication Unit sits within the Division of Licensing Services.
It authenticates public documents issued in New York State that are signed by a state official or a county clerk. If your document is signed by someone else, such as a notary or the New York City Registrar, a county clerk must certify that signature first.
How much does a New York apostille cost?
The state fee is $10 per document. If a county clerk must certify the document first, that adds $3 per document.
So the government cost for a document that passes through a county clerk is $13, before the cost of the certified copy and postage. AI Fingerprinting’s fee for handling the request is separate. Request a quote for the full cost.
How long does a New York apostille take?
Walk-in requests are completed the same day, with a limit of 10 documents per customer. The Department of State does not publish a processing time for requests sent by mail.
Documents dropped off at the Albany or New York City office are not treated as a priority. The Department says they are processed by receipt date.
Where are the New York apostille offices?
The Department of State offers walk-in apostille service at five offices. All are open Monday to Friday.
| Office | Address | Apostille hours |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | 123 William St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10038-3804 | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Albany | 1 Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor, Albany, NY 12231 | 9:00 AM to 4:15 PM |
| Binghamton | 44 Hawley Street, Room 1506, Binghamton, NY 13901-4455 | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 12:45 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Buffalo | 295 Main Street, 8th Floor, Suite 821, Buffalo, NY 14203 | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 12:45 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Utica | State Office Building, 207 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13501-2812 | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 12:45 PM to 4:00 PM |
Mail requests go to: NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, Apostille and Authentication Unit, PO Box 22001, Albany, NY 12201-2001. The Department’s phone line is (518) 474-4429.
Which New York documents need a county clerk first?
Notarized documents and New York City vital records need county clerk certification before the Department of State will act. Certificates signed by the New York State Registrar do not.
- Notarized documents. The Department says they “must be certified by the County Clerk of the County where the notary is certified to notarize.” See New York notarized document apostille.
- New York City birth, death and marriage certificates. These must first be certified by the New York County Clerk. Birth and death records also need a Letter of Exemplification. See New York death certificate apostille.
- State Department of Health certificates. Those bearing the signature of the Director of Vital Statistics or the NYS Registrar go straight to the Department of State.
- School records. These are certified by a school official, notarized, then certified by the county clerk.
- Court orders. The path depends on the court. See New York name change apostille.
How do you get a New York apostille?
You get the right version of the document, clear any county clerk step, then send it to the Department of State with the form and fee.
- Confirm the destination country. The request form asks for it.
- Obtain an original or certified copy signed by the correct official.
- Get county clerk certification if the document needs it. The fee is $3 per document.
- Complete form DOS-1917-f. Incomplete forms are returned for correction.
- Include $10 per document.
- Enclose a prepaid return envelope or a prepaid FedEx, UPS or DHL label.
- Mail the packet to Albany, or take it to one of the five walk-in offices.
What a New York apostille looks like
A New York apostille is a single white letter-size page fixed to the front of your document with a metal eyelet in the top-left corner.
In sample packets issued at the New York City office, the page is headed “Apostille” in a large script typeface. Below it are the ten numbered fields used under the Hague Convention. The signer’s title reads “Deputy Secretary of State for Business and Licensing Services”. A blue circular seal of the State of New York Department of State sits at the lower left. It is printed, not embossed. The certificate number is the prefix “NYC-” followed by seven digits.
When a county clerk step is involved, the apostille names the county clerk, not the registrar or notary who signed your document. That is normal.
Common reasons for rejection
The Department of State does not publish a rejection list. Based on its written rules, these are the problems most likely to send a request back.
- A notarized document with no county clerk certification, or one taken to the wrong county clerk.
- A New York City vital record with no Letter of Exemplification or no New York County Clerk certification.
- A federal document. The form states the Department “is unable to Authenticate/Apostille Federal Documents.”
- An incomplete request form, or no destination country.
How AI Fingerprinting helps
AI Fingerprinting is a private document services business at 201 NE Park Plaza Dr #221, Vancouver, WA 98684. We are not a government agency. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Clients across the United States work with us by mail.
New York is a multi-step state. Tell us what the document is, who signed it and where it is going. We check the chain before anything is submitted.
State apostille pricing is by quote. For FBI background checks, see our FBI apostille service.
New York apostille FAQ
How much is the New York State apostille fee?
The New York Department of State charges $10 per document. If a county clerk must certify the document first, the clerk charges $3 per document. AI Fingerprinting’s service fee is separate and quoted on request.
Can I get a same-day apostille in New York?
Yes. The Department of State offers same-day walk-in service at its New York City, Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo and Utica offices. Same-day service is limited to 10 documents per customer.
How long does a New York apostille take by mail?
The Department of State does not publish a mail processing time. Drop-off requests are processed by receipt date and are not treated as a priority.
Can New York apostille an FBI background check?
No. The Department of State form says it cannot authenticate or apostille federal documents. Federal documents are handled by the U.S. Department of State.
How do I verify a New York apostille?
Apostilles and certificates issued on or after April 9, 2013 can be verified online through the New York Department of State.
What if my destination country is not in the Hague Convention?
New York issues a Certificate of Authentication for countries that are not members of the 1961 Hague Convention. It is requested on the same form as an apostille.
Sources
- New York Department of State: Apostille or Certificate of Authentication
- New York Department of State: form DOS-1917-f, Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request (Rev. 02/24)
- NYC311: Apostille or Certificate of Authentication
- New York County Clerk: Notary Department
- U.S. Department of State: apostille requirements
This page is general information, not legal advice. Fees, addresses and rules can change. Confirm document requirements with the authority in the receiving country before you order.