New Hampshire Apostille Services — Birth, Marriage, Diplomas, FBI & Business

If you need to present a New Hampshire–issued document overseas, chances are you’ll be asked for an apostille (for Hague Convention countries) or astate authentication followed by consular legalization (for non-Hague destinations). That applies whether you’re using abirth certificate from Hillsborough or Rockingham County, amarriage certificate recorded in Merrimack County, adivorce decree certified by the Family Division of the Circuit Court,diplomas or transcripts from UNH (Durham or Manchester), Dartmouth College (Hanover), Keene State, Plymouth State, or SNHU,or a notarized power of attorney for a property closing abroad.The apostille is a standardized certificate that confirms the signature and official capacity of the New Hampshire official or notary who signed your document, allowing it to be recognized across borders without additional embassy steps in Hague countries.

New Hampshire’s ties to the world run through advanced manufacturing, biotech and healthcare, education and research, tourism on the Seacoast and in the White Mountains, and a lively small-business community.Residents and companies frequently need documents that “travel well” for visas, study, work assignments, cross-border marriages, adoptions, banking, and corporate registrations.This practical guide explains who issues apostilles in New Hampshire, which documents are eligible, how to prepare each category correctly, realistic timelines, pitfalls to avoid, and when an expedited in-person filing is smarter than DIY mail-in.

Quick Answer

Authority: Apostilles and authentications for New Hampshire documents are issued by the New Hampshire Department of State — Corporation Division / Apostilles & Authentications in Concord.

Eligible Documents: Certified vital records (birth, marriage, death), divorce decrees and other court orders, notarized documents (POAs, affidavits, consents), academic records (diplomas/transcripts with registrar certification or sealed packets), and business records (Articles, Good Standing, certified copies). Federal documents (e.g., FBI background checks) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Turnaround: DIY mail-in often takes 4–6+ weeks. With complete readiness, in-person filing commonly achieves same-day or 24-hour results.

Price: $145 per document, all government fees included. Same-day scans included. U.S. shipping optional ($20 flat); international by quote.

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is a one-page certificate attached to your document to verify the authenticity of the signature and the authority of the public official who signed it.It does not judge the content of the document. Instead, it confirms that the registrar, court clerk, university registrar, or notary public is legitimate and properly authorized in New Hampshire.

If both the issuing authority (New Hampshire/USA) and the destination country participate in the Hague Apostille Convention, the apostille makes your document self-authenticating abroad.If your destination is not a Hague member, you’ll need the two-step pathway: a state authentication from New Hampshire followed by consular legalization at the destination country’s embassy/consulate.The right pathway depends on where you’re submitting the document; preparation details depend on the document category (vital record, court order, notarized item, academic or corporate record).

Who Issues Apostilles in New Hampshire?

The New Hampshire Department of State (Concord) issues apostilles and authentications for documents originating in New Hampshire. Common categories include:

• Vital Records — Certified birth, marriage, and death certificates issued by the NH Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA) or local city/town clerks; and divorce decrees certified by the Circuit Court (Family Division) clerk.
• Court Records — Name changes, adoptions, guardianships, probate orders, and judgments certified by the appropriate court with the clerk’s seal and certification.
• Notarized Documents — Affidavits, powers of attorney, parental travel consents, corporate resolutions, translator affidavits, and other sworn statements with complete New Hampshire notarial certificates. (Remote online notarization may be available when performed by a duly commissioned NH notary in accordance with state rules—confirm feasibility for your use case.)
• Academic Records — Diplomas, transcripts, enrollment letters from University of New Hampshire (UNH Durham/Manchester), Dartmouth College, Plymouth State University, Keene State College, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), Franklin Pierce University, Saint Anselm College, New England College, Colby-Sawyer, Rivier University, and community colleges. Registrar certification and sealed packets are common requirements.
• Business Records — Articles/Certificates of Incorporation or Organization, Certificates of Good Standing, and certified copies from the NH Department of State; notarized corporate instruments prepared by officers or counsel per the receiving institution’s instructions.

Federal documents—like FBI background checks, IRS letters, USDA/FDA/USDC certificates, and Social Security letters—are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., not by New Hampshire.

When Do You Need an Apostille?

Granite Staters most often need apostilles for the following situations:

• Immigration & Long-Stay Visas — Consulates for Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and other countries frequently require apostilled birth/marriage records, plus a federally apostilled FBI report.
• Study Abroad & Credentialing — Universities and professional boards abroad ask for apostilled diplomas, transcripts, registrar letters, and sometimes notarized experience or licensure letters.
• Marriage Abroad — Civil registries often require apostilled vital records and a notarized/apostilled single-status affidavit (also called a “no impediment” certificate in some jurisdictions).
• International Adoption — Dossiers typically include apostilled court orders, notarized medical/financial affidavits, and vital records.
• Dual Citizenship — Italian, Irish, Portuguese, and Spanish consulates commonly require multigenerational vital records with apostilles and certified translations.
• Business & Banking Overseas — Foreign banks and registrars may request apostilled Articles, Good Standing, and board resolutions to open accounts or qualify entities to do business.
• Property & Estates — Apostilled probate records, wills, and death certificates are used to transfer assets or claim inheritances abroad.
• Professional Licensing — Healthcare, engineering, education, and maritime boards abroad may require apostilled diplomas and notarized credentials.

DIY vs. Expedited Service

Factor	DIY Mail-In	Our Expedited Service
Timeline	4–6+ weeks; mail/backlog delays possible	Same-day/24-hour possible with readiness
Risk of Rejection	Higher — wrong copy, stale issuance, incomplete notary wording	Lower — expert pre-check, destination-specific guidance
Visibility	Limited once mailed; hard to course-correct	Proactive updates; same-day scans for immediate use
Effort	You research, assemble, mail, and troubleshoot	We manage review, filing, monitoring, and delivery
Complexity	Consular legalizations (non-Hague) handled by you	We handle Hague and non-Hague routes end-to-end
Best For	No deadlines; low-stakes uses	Fixed interviews, start dates, closings, admissions

Pricing & ETA

Document Readiness (Make It “Apostille-Ready”)

Fast results start with flawless paperwork. New Hampshire will not apostille photocopies, uncertified vital records, or incomplete notary certificates.Use the standards below to prevent rejections and returns.

Vital Records (Birth, Marriage, Death)

• Certified Copy: Obtain a recent certified copy from DVRA or your city/town clerk. Photocopies and scans aren’t acceptable for apostille.
• Seals & Signatures: Ensure the registrar/clerk signature and raised/ink seal are legible. If not, request re-issuance.
• Freshness Window: If your recipient requires issuance within 60–90 days, order fresh copies before filing.

Divorce Decrees & Court Orders

• Certified by Clerk: The decree/order must bear the Circuit/Superior/Probate Court clerk’s certification and court seal.
• Complete Packet: Include all pages referenced by the certification; don’t remove staples or add tabs/highlighting.

Notarized Documents (POA, Affidavits, Consents)

• Complete Notarial Certificate: Use a New Hampshire acknowledgment or jurat with venue (State/County), date, printed notary name, signature, commission number/expiration, and stamp if applicable.
• Signer Presence & ID: Signers must appear before the notary (or use a New Hampshire–compliant remote option when permitted and acceptable to the foreign recipient).
• Destination Wording: If a foreign authority provides required notary language, bring it to the appointment to avoid a redo.

Academic Records (Diplomas, Transcripts)

• Registrar Certification: Institutions typically provide a registrar letter attesting to authenticity. Sometimes a certified copy of the diploma is attached and stamped.
• Sealed Envelopes: Many schools issue sealed packets for apostille. Do not open them; the Secretary of State must break the seal.
• Apostille-Ready Request: Tell the registrar the documents are for international use so the correct official’s signature and title appear.

Business Records (Articles, Good Standing, Resolutions)

• State-Certified Copies: If a foreign bank or registry asks for state certification, order certified copies or a Good Standing Certificate from the NH Department of State.
• Notarized Corporate Instruments: Internal resolutions/minutes should be properly notarized in New Hampshire if required by the recipient.

Step-by-Step Process (New Hampshire & Federal)

1. Identify the Issuer: Is your document state/local (New Hampshire) or federal? NH documents go to the NH Department of State. Federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State.
2. Make It Ready: Gather certified copies, complete notary certificates, registrar letters, and sealed packets per document type.
3. Choose the Route: Hague destination = apostille. Non-Hague = New Hampshire authentication + consular legalization. Confirm the route with the destination country’s rules.
4. Submit: File in person for speed (recommended) or by mail if timing allows. Include correct fees and clear return/shipping instructions.
5. Monitor & Correct: If the office flags an issue, respond immediately to avoid returns and re-queues.
6. Delivery: Receive same-day scans for immediate use; originals ship domestically or internationally per your preference.

“Speed comes from readiness: the right copy, the right certification, the right route. When those three align, New Hampshire apostilles move fast.”

Document Playbooks

Birth Certificate Apostille

A certified New Hampshire birth certificate is commonly required for visas, dual citizenship, study abroad, and marriage abroad.Order a fresh certified copy from DVRA or your city/town clerk. Hague destinations accept the apostille; non-Hague destinations require New Hampshire authentication plus consular legalization.

Use cases: long-stay visas (Spain/Portugal), citizenship by descent (Italy/Ireland/Portugal), marriage abroad (Mexico/France), university enrollments, professional licensing abroad.

Marriage Certificate Apostille

New Hampshire marriage certificates are frequently apostilled for spousal visas and marriage recognition overseas.Many civil registries also request a single-status affidavit (notarized and apostilled). If there was a prior marriage, an apostilled divorce decree may be required to show legal capacity to marry.

Divorce Decree Apostille

Obtain a certified copy from the Circuit Court (Family Division) or Superior Court, as applicable. Ensure the certification covers the full decree unless the foreign recipient specifies a short form.For remarriage abroad, expect to present both the apostilled divorce decree and, after your new ceremony is recorded, the apostilled new marriage certificate.

Death Certificate Apostille

Apostilled death certificates are used for estates, inheritances, and property transfers abroad.If probate orders or letters testamentary/administration are relevant, those may need separate apostilles. Confirm with the foreign notary/registry whether they need only the death certificate or the full probate packet.

Diploma & Transcript Apostille

Institutions such as UNH (Durham/Manchester), Dartmouth College, Plymouth State University, Keene State College, SNHU, Franklin Pierce University, Saint Anselm College, New England College, Colby-Sawyer College, and Rivier Universitytypically provide a registrar letter certifying the diploma/transcript. Packets are often sealed. Do not open sealed envelopes; send them directly for apostille.

Notarized Documents (POA, Affidavits, Consents)

Your notary block must be complete and New Hampshire–compliant. If your destination requires specific wording, provide that text at the notary appointment.Common examples include real-estate POAs, parental travel consents, authorization letters, translator affidavits, and corporate resolutions.

Corporate Documents

For foreign banking or corporate setup, expect to present Articles/Certificates of Organization or Incorporation, a Certificate of Good Standing, and a board resolution naming signatory authority.Some banks require state-certified copies; others accept notarized corporate instruments with apostille. Ask the bank for its exact checklist before filing to avoid rework.

FBI Background Check (Federal)

The FBI background check is a federal document and must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not by New Hampshire.Many visa programs (Spain, Portugal, Colombia, Brazil) require this federal apostille alongside state-level apostilles on vital records.

See our dedicated guide: How to Apostille an FBI Background Check.

New Hampshire Use Cases & Scenarios

Immigration & Family Relocation

A family in Nashua relocating to Lisbon might need apostilled birth certificates for the children, an apostilled marriage certificate for the parents, and federally apostilled FBI reports for both adults.Schools abroad could request an apostilled enrollment letter or notarized vaccination statements (then apostilled). Align issuance dates with your consulate appointment to avoid re-issuing documents.

Study & Work Abroad

A UNH graduate heading to a program in Milan may be asked for an apostilled diploma and transcript, a notarized and apostilled scholarship or funding letter, and a federally apostilled FBI report.Italy often requires certified translations—confirm whether translation happens after the apostille or via a translator affidavit that itself gets notarized and apostilled.

Marriage Abroad

A couple from Portsmouth marrying in Florence or Tulum may need fresh apostilled birth certificates, an apostilled single-status affidavit, and, where applicable, an apostilled divorce decree.Municipal registrars often impose issuance windows (e.g., within 90 days), so plan your vital record orders carefully.

Adoption

Adoption dossiers commonly involve apostilled court orders, notarized medical letters, employment verifications, financial statements, and vital records.Non-Hague countries often require the two-step state authentication + consular legalization route; sequencing and courier logistics matter.

Dual Citizenship

Italian and Irish citizenship by descent typically require multiple generations of New Hampshire vital records—each with apostilles—plus certified translations.Build the family chain first, then schedule apostilles in batches so issuance dates align and remain “fresh.”

Business Banking & Expansion

A biotech in Manchester opening a European account may need an apostilled Good Standing, state-certified Articles, and a notarized/apostilled board resolution assigning signatory authority.Many banks will pre-check scans while originals ship; our same-day scans help you move quickly.

Counties, Cities & Campuses Served

We serve the entire State of New Hampshire, including but not limited to:

• Counties: Hillsborough, Rockingham, Merrimack, Strafford, Grafton, Cheshire, Belknap, Carroll, Sullivan, Coös.
• Cities/Towns: Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Derry, Dover, Rochester, Keene, Portsmouth, Laconia, Lebanon, Claremont, Somersworth, Berlin, Hampton, Exeter, Londonderry, Merrimack, Hudson, Goffstown.
• Universities & Colleges (examples): University of New Hampshire (Durham/Manchester), Dartmouth College, Plymouth State University, Keene State College, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), Franklin Pierce University, Saint Anselm College, New England College, Colby-Sawyer College, Rivier University, Granite State College, Great Bay Community College, Nashua Community College, Manchester Community College, Lakes Region CC, White Mountains CC, NHTI–Concord’s Community College.

Hague vs. Non-Hague Destinations

Hague countries accept a New Hampshire apostille; non-Hague countries require a New Hampshire authentication plus consular legalization.The destination determines the route and influences translation sequencing and consulate appointments.

• Hague Countries (examples): Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Ireland, United Kingdom, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand.
• Non-Hague Countries (examples): China, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Vietnam, Egypt, Kuwait. These generally require authentication + consular legalization after the state step.

We handle both routes and provide same-day scans immediately after the state step so you can schedule consulates or upload to portals while originals are in transit.

Timelines, Dependencies & Risks

DIY by Mail: Plan for 4–6+ weeks due to mailing time, office backlogs, and possible returns for corrections. If you have a fixed travel date, visa appointment, property closing, or onboarding, mail-in can be risky unless you start early.

In-Person Filing: With correct readiness, many New Hampshire apostilles are completed in 24 hours or less.Pre-checking certification types, seals, and notary language is the best defense against delays.

Federal Track (FBI): The U.S. Department of State apostille process is separate from New Hampshire’s. Start state and federal tracks in parallel when timing is tight.

Translations & Consulates: Sworn translations and consular legalizations add time. Confirm whether translations follow the apostille or require a translator affidavit (notarized and then apostilled).

Mistakes to Avoid

• Sending federal documents to New Hampshire: FBI, IRS, USDA/FDA, and SSA letters must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not by the NH Department of State.
• Submitting photocopies: Apostilles attach to certified copies or properly notarized originals—never to plain copies or scans.
• Incomplete notarization: Missing venue, incorrect certificate wording, missing printed notary name, absent commission details, or no stamp will trigger rejection.
• Opening sealed registrar packets: Don’t open them. If opened, you will likely need a new sealed packet.
• Old vital records: If the recipient requires issuance within 90 days, order fresh copies before filing.
• Wrong translation order: Ask whether translations come after the apostille or via a translator affidavit that itself gets notarized and apostilled.
• Late starts: Embassy appointment backlogs and translation queues can add weeks. Start early or use expedited help.

Readiness Checklist

• Is the document state/local (New Hampshire) or federal?
• Do you have a certified copy (vital/court) or a properly notarized original (affidavit/POA)?
• For school records, did the registrar prepare a sealed packet or provide a signed registrar letter?
• For corporate records, do you have state-certified copies or notarized resolutions per the foreign recipient’s instructions?
• Is your destination Hague (apostille) or non-Hague (authentication + consular legalization)?
• Does the recipient require a freshness window (commonly 90 days)?
• Do you need translations, and what is the proper sequence relative to the apostille?
• What is your deadline (visa interview, start date, closing, enrollment)?
• Will same-day scans let you begin downstream steps while originals ship?

FAQ

Who issues New Hampshire apostilles?

The New Hampshire Department of State — Corporation Division in Concord issues apostilles and authentications for New Hampshire documents.

Can New Hampshire apostille my FBI background check?

No. FBI background checks are federal documents and must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

How fast can New Hampshire apostilles be completed?

Mail-in may take 4–6+ weeks. With complete readiness and in-person filing, same-day or 24-hour results are often achievable.

Do apostilles expire?

An apostille does not expire, but many consulates, schools, and banks require recent issuance of both the record and the apostille (often within 90 days).

Is shipping required to get started?

No. We provide same-day scans of completed apostilles. U.S. shipping of originals is optional ($20); international shipping is available by quote.

Can you handle non-Hague legalizations?

Yes. We manage the New Hampshire authentication and coordinate consulate legalization, including guidance on translation order and acceptable formats.

What if my notarized document was signed in another state?

Each state apostilles its own documents. A Massachusetts- or Vermont-notarized affidavit must be apostilled in its state of notarization, not in New Hampshire.

What if my name changed after my document was issued?

You may need apostilled supporting records (e.g., marriage certificate, name-change order) to connect identities for the recipient abroad.

Can I staple attachments or add sticky notes?

Avoid altering official packets. Don’t remove staples, add tabs, or highlight text; alterations can invalidate certifications.

Are you a government office?

No. We are experts in New Hampshire and federal filings, but we are not a government agency.

Related Guides

• Birth Certificate Apostille
• Marriage Certificate Apostille
• Divorce Decree Apostille
• Death Certificate Apostille
• Academic Diplomas & Transcripts Apostille
• Power of Attorney & Notarized Documents Apostille
• FBI Background Check Apostille (Federal)

Disclaimer: Requirements and timelines reflect common practices of the New Hampshire Department of State and the U.S. Department of State but can change without notice. Always verify destination-country preferences for issuance dates, translations, and consular steps.