How to get an apostille in New Jersey
An apostille comes from the State of New Jersey, not from a notary. But for most documents you sign yourself, the notary is step one, and the state won't accept it without that step done right.
Quick answers
- Only the state issues apostilles. In New Jersey that's the Division of Revenue in Trenton.
- Documents you sign (power of attorney, affidavits, consent letters) need a New Jersey notary first. We're a walk-in notary in Freehold.
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates have to come from the NJ Department of Health, not a notary.
- The state needs originals. Photocopies get sent back.
- We can mail your documents to Trenton with tracking.
What is an apostille?
A certificate from the state that tells another country your document is real.
Other countries can't check whether a New Jersey notary or a New Jersey birth certificate is genuine. The apostille does that for them. The state attaches it to your original document after confirming the signature or seal on it.
Countries that signed the Hague Convention accept an apostille. For countries that didn't, New Jersey issues a "certification" instead. You don't have to figure out which one you need. The state decides based on the country you tell them it's going to.
Can a notary give me an apostille?
No. A notary can't issue an apostille. We notarize the document, and the state adds the apostille after.
This is the most common mix-up. People search "apostille near me," find a notary, and expect to walk out with an apostille. What the state is actually confirming is the notary's signature and commission, so the notarization has to be done properly by a New Jersey notary before the state will touch it.
What the state asks for on a notarized document is the notary's original ink signature and the original ink signature of the person who signed it. That means you sign in front of us, on the original. Don't sign it at home first.
Which documents need a notary first?
Anything you sign yourself: powers of attorney, affidavits, sworn statements, and travel consent letters for a child.
These are the documents we handle. Bring the original, unsigned, with a valid photo ID. We'll watch you sign, notarize it, and hand it back ready for the state. We're a walk-in notary, any time we're open. No appointment.
If your document isn't in English, the state recommends attaching an English translation that's been notarized. The translator signs a statement that the translation is accurate, and we can notarize that signature.
What about birth, marriage, or death certificates?
Those don't go through a notary. Order a certified copy from the NJ Department of Health, then send that to the state for the apostille.
The state apostilles vital records issued from January 1, 1923 forward by the NJ Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry. Older records come from the New Jersey State Archives.
Two things catch people here. A notarized photocopy of a birth certificate won't work, even though it seems like it should. And New Jersey can only apostille New Jersey records. A birth certificate from another state has to go to that state.
What about FBI background checks and other federal documents?
Those go to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, not to New Jersey.
Anything issued by a federal agency, like an FBI background check, gets its apostille from the federal government. Sending it to Trenton just costs you time while it comes back.
How do I send it to the state?
Place the order on the state's website, then mail or drop off your documents in Trenton.
New Jersey's Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services handles apostilles. You start with their online order form, then send the original documents to:
NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services PO Box 628 Trenton, NJ 08625-0628
You can also drop documents off in person in Trenton, which is faster than mail. Check the state's apostille page for current fees, processing times, and drop-off hours before you go.
If you'd rather mail it, bring your documents and the completed order to us. We'll ship it to Trenton with tracking so you can see when it arrives.
Mistakes that get documents sent back
Photocopies, documents signed before the notary saw them, and documents sent to the wrong office.
The state only works with originals or certified copies. A photocopy, even a notarized one, comes back.
A document signed at home and then brought to a notary can't be properly notarized. Bring it unsigned.
And the office has to match the document. New Jersey notarized papers and New Jersey vital records go to Trenton. Federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State. Records from another state go to that state.
Bring it in unsigned.
Walk-in notary, no appointment needed. Bring the original document and a valid photo ID.
Call 732-730-5230 if you'd rather ask first.
Process checked September 2026 from the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. State requirements and fees change. Confirm with the state before you send.
Tell us what you need and we'll sort it out
Call 732-730-5230 or walk in during store hours. If it's something we don't do, we'll point you to who does.