Do you need to obtain an Apostille or Notary Certification in New Jersey?

​

Our staff can submit the request for you same day and have it obtained right away. Call or email to have an Apostille or Notary Certification obtained today! 

​

What is an Apostille or Notary Certification? 

​

Apostilles and certifications attest to the legal status of New Jersey Notaries Public and selected public officials, such as Superior Court judges, County Clerks, and the State Registrar of Vital Statistics, who have authenticated or notarized documents to be used in business transactions and/or international document exchange. Public officials for whom our office will issue Apostilles and certifications.

​

Apostilles and certifications issued by the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services are one-page, 8.5 x 11 documents with a color laser print of the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey and the signature of the New Jersey State Treasurer.

​

The Division will affix Apostilles and certifications to the signature page of the submitted document with staples. Please do not remove the Apostille or certification once it is attached.

​

The Division will provide an Apostille if the transaction involves a country that subscribes to the Hague Convention. If the authenticated or notarized document is going to a country that does not appear on the Hague Convention list, the Division will provide a certification of the public official.

​

In all cases involving international document exchange, we recommend that you contact officials in the receiving country or visit the U.S. Department of State website for further information and guidance on the exchange process.

​

How to Obtain an Apostille or Certification in New Jersey:

​

1. Obtain the original or certified copy of the document bearing the original notarization or certification by the public official.
   
   Important Notes: 
   Obtain vital records (birth, marriage, divorce, death, etc.) from January 1, 1917 forward from the NJ Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registry (609.292.4087). For vital records dated prior to January 1, 1917, contact the New Jersey State Archives.
   
   The Division cannot issue Apostilles or certifications for vital records from other states. Have out-of-state records authenticated in the state of origin.
   
   For documents in languages other than English, it is recommend that you attach a notarized English translation. Note that if you attach a notarized translation to a vital record, we will issue two Apostilles/Certifications, and that we will assess two fees (see table below for fees).
   
   Submit notarized documents with the original (inked) signature of the NJ Notary Public and the original (inked) signature of the person who presented the document for notarization.

2. If you intend to hand-deliver your document, fill out the Service Request and Control Receipt Form available at the front desk in the lobby, (33 West State Street, 5th floor, Trenton, NJ 08608), otherwise go to Step 3. The Division’s walk-in lobby hours are 8:30 am through 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. The lobby is closed on all State holidays.

3. Complete the Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request Form. *Please note that the chosen Service Option has a direct effect on the processing time frame. View Service Options and the corresponding processing times.

4. Attach the document(s) to the Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request Form.

5. Per the Service Option Table, select a service option and delivery method, and then determine the fee amount.​

6. Write out a check made payable to the “Treasurer, State of New Jersey” for the selected fee amount.

7. On your request form, indicate how you wish to receive your completed work – regular mail (include self-addressed envelope) or private express service/courier (include appropriate self-addressed, pre-paid envelope). Note that unless the Division receives instructions to the contrary, we return all completed requests via regular mail, including expedited work.

8. Package and send your request. Include:

   • Request form with document attached

   • Check for the fee

   • Return envelope if you are not picking up (self-addressed envelope for regular mail or self-addressed, pre-paid envelope for private carrier, with customer as the sender and bill-to party)

   • WARNING: If you use Priority. Express Mail or certified mail from the United States Postal Service, note that the USPS does not deliver to or pick up directly from our office. We treat requests received via Priority or Express Mail from the United States Postal Service as regular mail and the regular mail processing time applies to all such requests. Regular mail delivery time may take up to 15 days from mail in date to date of receipt.

​

Delivery Methods

In-person: 
State of New Jersey 
Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services 
33 West State Street, 5th Floor 
Trenton, NJ 08608 
Attn: Notary Unit

​

Regular Mail: 
State of New Jersey 
Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services 
PO Box 452 
Trenton, NJ 08646

Processing Time: Typically 20 business days from date of receipt. This time frame is not guaranteed and may be longer based upon the number of requests received.
*Please allow an additional 15 days for regular mail delivery.

​

​