HOW TO EXPEDITE YOUR DOCUMENT(S) THROUGH THE APOSTILLE/AUTHENTICATION PROCESS
Updated Apostille/Authentication Information: October 31, 2023
AZ Roving Notary offers two levels of Expedited Services to the AZ Secretary of State for Apostille/Authentication: Premium and Mail-In Service.
The US Dept of State Office is still closed as of April 2, 2024 and only accepts drop off or mail-in applications for apostille/authentication expediting services. The US Dept of State website states the expected turnaround for apostille/authentications is up to 11 weeks. In some cases we can expedite faster, check with us to see if your documents are eligible. Many countries are allowing authentications to skip this step and go directly to the Embassy or Consulate from the state's Secretary of State's office. Check with us to see if you can skip this step for your apostille/authentication expediting with the US Dept of State.
When docs are hand delivered or sent to an embassy or consulate for authentication processing, we really have no idea how long the process will take - we estimate 21 days to 6 months depending on the embassy's or consulate office's process. We do have expediters that visit each embassy if the embassy is open for business. We cannot guarantee turnaround time at an embassy or consulate.
Are Your U.S. Documents Going To Be Used In A Country Outside the United States?
If your answer to this question is yes, then you might find our Apostille or Authentication expediting services to be exactly what you need to accomplish the process correctly. Regardless of your location, documents notarized by a state-specific commissioned notary must be apostilled or authenticated by the corresponding state's Apostille office. Moreover, if the intended destination of the documents is a country that doesn't participate in the Hague Convention, the documents may need to go through two additional steps involving the US Department of State and the specific country's Embassy or Consulate.
Navigating the requirements and process for obtaining an apostille and/or authentication can be complex and confusing. That's why many of our clients opt for our expediting services for the apostille/authentication process. We can handle everything from notarization (whether it's traditional mobile notarization, electronic notarization, or remote online notarization) to expediting the apostille/authentication with all the necessary governing authorities. We diligently track every step of the process on your behalf, ensuring accuracy and giving you peace of mind.
Depending on the agency responsible for the apostille or authentication, we either submit your documents in person or through mail-in service. However, please note that many government offices, as well as embassies/consulates, currently do not offer in-person transactions. Mail-in processing times can vary widely, ranging from 10 days to 6 months, depending on the agency. Although processing times are subject to change, it's advisable to initiate the process as soon as you learn that an apostille or authentication is required.
How Much Does It Cost to Expedite My Documents?
AZ Roving Notary expedites your documents starting at $250.00 for the first document and $150.00 for each additional document if processed at the same time. Expediting includes notarization if required. Final pricing depends on several factors including:
- How many documents do you need expedited?
- Do you need Premium or Mail-In Service?
- Do we need to pick the document(s) up from you or will you mail them to us?
- Do we need to drop off the document(s) to you or should we mail them to you in the United States?
- Do you want your document(s) shipped directly to a Foreign Address?
- Do you need us to retrieve the document(s) from a government authority or court?
- Will we be printing out copies of the document(s) to be notarized and/or Apostilled or Authenticated?
- Does the document(s) have to be notarized? (In-Person or Remote?)
- How many authorities (State SOS, US Dept of State, Embassy/Consulate) have to work on the document(s)?
- How much are the government agency fees at each stop for the apostille/authentication?
- Do you need the completed apostilled/authenticated document(s) to be scanned and emailed to one or more recipients?
- Do you need the completed apostille/authenticated document(s) to be copied and mailed within the US to a second address?
- Are there any unique requirements?