How Do I Get an Apostille in Utah?

Get an apostille in Utah by notarizing your document first (if needed), then submitting it with an application to the Lieutenant Governor's office.

Step 1: Determine Your Document Requirements

Identify whether your document is a government-issued record or a private document, as this determines whether notarization is needed before the apostille.

Government-issued documents such as birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates from the Utah Department of Health already carry an official government signature and seal. These can typically be submitted directly to the Lieutenant Governor's office for an apostille without additional notarization. The same applies to court orders, divorce decrees, and other documents bearing the official seal of a Utah court.

Private documents, which include powers of attorney, affidavits, consent letters, corporate resolutions, and any document signed by a private individual, must be notarized by a Utah-commissioned notary public before an apostille can be issued. The Lieutenant Governor's office verifies the notary's commission as part of the apostille process, so the notarization must be performed by a notary whose commission is current and in good standing.

Documents notarized by notaries from other states cannot receive a Utah apostille. If your document was notarized in another state, you must apply for an apostille from that state's issuing authority. Similarly, federal documents (notarized by federal officials or bearing federal agency seals) require apostille from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., not from Utah.

If you are unsure about your document's requirements, contact the Utah Lieutenant Governor's office or ask the foreign institution that is requesting the apostille. They can clarify exactly what authentication is needed for your specific document and destination country.

Step 2: Get Your Document Properly Notarized

For private documents, have them notarized by a Utah-commissioned notary whose commission is active and in good standing with the state.

If your document requires notarization before the apostille, this step is critical. The notarization must be performed by a notary public commissioned in Utah. The notary must verify your identity using a valid government-issued photo ID, witness your signature, and apply their official seal and signature to the notarial certificate.

The notary's commission number must be current and verifiable by the Lieutenant Governor's office. If the notary's commission has expired or been revoked, the apostille will be rejected. This is why using an established, professional notary service is important for apostille-bound documents.

At NotaryLTD, our notary holds commission #742886 with over 30 years of experience. We understand the specific requirements for documents destined for apostille and ensure every notarization is performed correctly. We are familiar with the types of documents that commonly need apostilles and can advise you on proper preparation.

When you come for notarization, bring the unsigned document (you must sign in the notary's presence), your valid government-issued photo ID, and any additional signers with their IDs. If the document requires witnesses, arrange for them to attend as well. Our standard notarization fee of $10 per notarial act applies for in-person service, or $25 per act for Remote Online Notarization.

Step 3: Submit to the Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office

Send your notarized document with the completed application form and fee to the Utah Lieutenant Governor's office for apostille processing.

The Utah Lieutenant Governor's office accepts apostille applications by mail and in person. Visit their official website for the current application form, fee schedule, and submission instructions. The application form requires information about the document, the destination country, and your contact information.

Submit the original document (not a photocopy) along with the completed application and payment. The office will verify the notary's commission or government official's signature, then attach the apostille certificate to your document. The apostille is a standardized form that follows the format specified by the Hague Convention.

For in-person submissions, the Lieutenant Governor's office is located in the Utah State Capitol Building in Salt Lake City. Walk-in processing may be available during business hours, though availability can vary. Check their website or call ahead to confirm current walk-in procedures and hours.

For mail submissions, use a trackable shipping method to protect your original document during transit. Include a prepaid return envelope with tracking if you want your apostilled document shipped back to you. Standard mail processing takes 3 to 10 business days from the date the office receives your submission.

Processing Times and Expedited Options

Standard apostille processing in Utah takes 3 to 10 business days, with expedited options sometimes available for an additional fee.

Processing times depend on the volume of applications the office is handling and the complexity of verifying the notary's commission or official's signature. During busy periods, processing may take closer to the 10-business-day end of the range. During slower periods, turnaround can be as quick as 3 business days.

The Lieutenant Governor's office may offer expedited processing for urgent requests, though availability and fees can change. Contact their office directly for the most current information on expedited options and pricing.

Plan your timeline carefully, especially if you have a deadline for the foreign institution. Allow time for notarization (which NotaryLTD can often do same-day), mail transit to the Lieutenant Governor's office, processing time, and return mail transit. If your total timeline is tight, consider hand-delivering the application to the state capitol or using express mail services.

For extremely urgent apostille needs, some third-party apostille services offer hand-carry service where they physically take your document to the state capitol and wait for processing. NotaryLTD can refer you to trusted apostille expediting services if standard processing times do not meet your deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using an out-of-state notary, submitting copies instead of originals, and not checking commission status are the most common apostille application mistakes.

The most frequent mistake is having a document notarized by a notary commissioned in another state and then trying to get a Utah apostille. Utah can only apostille documents notarized by Utah-commissioned notaries or bearing Utah government official signatures. If your notary is commissioned in Nevada, you need a Nevada apostille.

Submitting photocopies instead of originals is another common error. The apostille must be attached to the original document. If you need to keep your original, ask about certified copies from the issuing authority. Some documents can be apostilled as certified copies when properly prepared.

Not verifying the notary's commission status before submitting can waste time. If the notary's commission has expired or been suspended, the apostille will be rejected. When you choose NotaryLTD for your notarization, you can be confident that our commission is current and in good standing.

Missing information on the application form causes delays. Fill out every field completely and double-check that the document description matches the actual document you are submitting. Incorrect or incomplete applications may be returned, adding days or weeks to your timeline.

NotaryLTD: Your Partner for Apostille Document Preparation

NotaryLTD provides fast, accurate notarization for all documents requiring apostille authentication, with flexible scheduling and competitive rates.

We understand that apostille needs are often time-sensitive. Whether you are adopting internationally, getting married abroad, expanding your business overseas, or handling estate matters in a foreign country, proper document preparation is the foundation of a smooth apostille process.

Our mobile notary service brings us to your location anywhere in Park City, Summit County, or surrounding areas. We are available seven days a week from 9 AM to 9 PM. Our rates are $10 per notarial act for in-person service and $25 per act for RON, with $0.70 per mile for travel.

Call us at 435-565-1333 or visit our contact page to schedule your notarization appointment. Check our FAQ and pricing page for additional details.