South Carolina Apostille: Fees, Processing Time & How to Order (2026)
South Carolina apostilles are issued by the South Carolina Secretary of State for $5 per document. Mail orders take about 5–10 business days; same-day counter service is available — counter service during business hours in columbia.. Documents headed to a non-Hague country need authentication and embassy legalization instead of an apostille.
| Government fee | $5 per document |
|---|---|
| Competent authority | South Carolina Secretary of State |
| Mail processing | 5–10 business days |
| Counter option | same-day counter service — Counter service during business hours in Columbia. |
| County pre-certification | Not required |
| Payment | check, money order, credit card |
| Official page | South Carolina Secretary of State → |
Check your exact South Carolina steps
Prefilled for this page. Open the full Pathway Checker →
Step-by-step: order a South Carolina apostille by mail
- Get the right certified copy. South Carolina vital records come from the SC Department of Public Health, Vital Records.
- Prepare a cover sheet. Include a signed cover sheet naming the destination country, payment payable to the authority above, and a prepaid return envelope. Confirm exact requirements on the official page linked in sources.
- Add payment. Pay $5 per document by check or money order, payable to the South Carolina Secretary of State.
- Include a return envelope. Add a prepaid, trackable return envelope so your apostille comes back safely.
- Mail it to the South Carolina Secretary of State and keep your tracking number. Mail turnaround is about 5–10 business days.
Walk-in / same-day option
Counter service during business hours in Columbia. Bring the certified document, a completed cover sheet, and payment. Counter rules change often, so confirm hours on the official page before you drive in.
Which documents can South Carolina apostille?
These are state-issued documents. Each guide covers the exact copy type and steps for that document in South Carolina.
| Birth certificate | A certified copy of a birth record, apostilled by the issuing state for use abroad. |
| Diploma / degree certificate | A diploma, typically notarized, apostilled for work or teaching abroad. |
| Marriage certificate | A certified marriage record apostilled by the state that recorded it. |
| Power of attorney | A notarized power of attorney apostilled for property or banking acts abroad. |
| Single status affidavit | A sworn affidavit of no marriage record, apostilled — a near-universal foreign-marriage requirement. |
| Notarized document | Any notarized document (consent letters, copies, statements) apostilled by the state. |
| Academic transcript | A sealed or notarized transcript apostilled for foreign admission or credential evaluation. |
| Death certificate | A certified death record apostilled for foreign probate, insurance, or repatriation. |
| State police / background check | A state criminal-history record apostilled when an FBI check is not demanded. |
| Corporate documents | Articles, good-standing certificates, and resolutions apostilled for foreign business use. |
| Divorce decree / judgment | A court-certified divorce judgment apostilled for remarriage or status proof abroad. |
| Adoption documents / home study | Court-certified or notarized adoption paperwork apostilled for intercountry adoption. |
| Certified translation + affidavit | A translator's notarized affidavit apostilled to accompany a translated document. |
Federal documents are different
Some documents never go to South Carolina. FBI background checks, IRS letters (like Form 6166), and naturalization certificates are federal — they go only to the U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications, at $20 per document. If you hold one of these, start at the federal channel guide instead.
Going to a non-Hague country?
If your destination is not a Hague Apostille Convention member, an apostille is not enough. You need the South Carolina authority's certification, then US Department of State authentication, then embassy legalization. Use the Country Checker to see your destination's chain, or read apostille vs. authentication.
Common rejection reasons in South Carolina
- Submitting a photocopy or a hospital souvenir certificate instead of a certified copy.
- Wrong or missing payment — South Carolina expects check or money order payable to the authority.
- No return envelope, or an untracked one, which stalls the whole order.
Frequently asked questions
＋How much does an apostille cost in South Carolina?
The South Carolina Secretary of State charges $5 per document. That is the government fee only — you pay separately for the certified copy and return shipping. Federal documents cost $20 at the US Department of State instead.
＋How long does a South Carolina apostille take?
Mail processing runs about 5–10 business days. You can also use same-day counter service — Counter service during business hours in Columbia..
＋Can I get a South Carolina apostille in person?
Yes. Counter service during business hours in Columbia. Bring the certified document, payment, and a completed cover sheet.
＋Does an old birth certificate still work for a South Carolina apostille?
Age is usually fine as long as it is a current certified copy with the registrar's seal. South Carolina vital records come from the SC Department of Public Health, Vital Records.
＋Do notarized documents need extra steps in South Carolina?
No. South Carolina apostilles notarized documents directly — there is no county-clerk pre-certification step.
Neighboring states
Sources
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor
Last verified: July 13, 2026 against the South Carolina Secretary of State and the HCCH status table(official page). See how we verify and how often on ourmethodology page.
This is informational, not legal advice. The receiving authority sets the final requirements — confirm with them and the office named above before you send anything.