Delaware Apostille Services — Birth, Marriage, Diplomas, FBI & Corporate

Planning to use a Delaware-issued document abroad — for a visa, marriage, university admission, corporate banking, real estate, adoption, or dual citizenship? You’ll likely be asked for an apostille. An apostille is an internationally recognized certificate, accepted by Hague Convention countries, that validates the signature or seal on your Delaware document. Whether you need to authenticate a Wilmington birth certificate, a Dover marriage certificate, a University of Delaware diploma, a Court of Chancery order, or corporate filings from the Delaware Division of Corporations, this page explains exactly how Delaware apostille services work — what qualifies, how to prepare, how quickly we can process (often ~24 hours for many state documents), and how to avoid costly, time-draining mistakes.

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Quick Answer

Authority: The Delaware Secretary of State (Division of Corporations) issues apostilles for Delaware-origin documents — vital records, court-certified copies, notarized documents executed by a Delaware notary, registrar-verified academic records, and business filings certified by the state. Federal documents — like an FBI Identity History Summary (background check) or IRS 6166 — are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Rule of thumb: follow the issuer.

Speed: DIY mail-in can stretch to weeks, especially if packets bounce for correctness issues. With proper readiness and in-person filing, many Delaware state apostilles can be completed in ~24 hours. We send a same-day scan of the apostille; original shipping is optional.

Flat Rate: $145 per document — government fees included. Scans always included. U.S. shipping is $20 (optional). International shipping quoted.

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is a one-page certificate accepted by countries that participate in the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. It does not change your document; it authenticates the authority behind a signature or seal so overseas officials can accept your Delaware records without calling Dover or Wilmington. If your destination is a Hague-member (Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, South Korea), an apostille is typically the final step. If your destination is not a Hague member (e.g., China, UAE, Qatar, Vietnam), you’ll need a different route: authentication + consular legalization.

Who Issues Apostilles in Delaware?

The Delaware Secretary of State (Division of Corporations) issues apostilles for:

• Vital records — Certified Delaware birth certificate apostille, marriage certificate apostille, death certificate apostille, and (court) divorce decree apostille.
• Court documents — Certified orders and judgments (e.g., Court of Chancery, Superior Court, Family Court) with clerk certification.
• Notarized documents — powers of attorney & notarized affidavits apostille executed by a Delaware notary with compliant wording/seal.
• Education records — Registrar-verified diplomas & transcripts apostille (University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Wilmington University, Goldey-Beacom, Delaware Tech, Wesley College legacy records, etc.).
• Business records — Certified copies and Good Standing certificates, corporate resolutions, and POAs for international banking/registration.

Federal documents are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. A Delaware office cannot apostille an FBI report or IRS certificate.

Rule of thumb: Delaware issuer or Delaware notary → Delaware SOS. U.S. federal issuer → U.S. Department of State (D.C.).

When You’ll Need an Apostille

• Visas & immigration — apostilled vital records and a federal apostille on the FBI background check.
• Study & teaching abroad — apostilled diplomas & transcripts for UD/DSU/WilmU grads.
• Marriage or adoption abroad — apostilled marriage certificates, parental consents, and POAs.
• Dual citizenship — apostilled birth certificates, death certificates, and court orders.
• Corporate & banking — apostilled Articles, Good Standing, resolutions, and corporate POAs for overseas accounts and subsidiaries.
• Property & inheritance — apostilled court orders and death certificates for cross-border estates.

Your Options at a Glance: DIY Mail-In vs. Our Expedited Service

Factor	DIY Mail-In	Our Expedited Service
Typical Timeline	~2–6+ weeks; returns add weeks.	As fast as ~24 hours for many DE state documents (with readiness).
Risk of Rejection	Higher — wrong authority, stale copies, notary errors.	Lower — expert pre-check, correct routing, compliant packaging.
Status Visibility	Low — limited visibility after mailing.	High — proactive monitoring + same-day scan when issued.
Effort Required	You research, assemble, mail, track, and re-mail.	We review, file in person (state/federal), monitor, scan, and (optionally) ship.
Best For	Flexible timelines, experienced DIYers.	Deadlines, consular appointments, onboarding, corporate closings.

Pricing & ETA (Scans Included, Shipping Optional)

Document Readiness for Delaware

Apostille success hinges on “readiness.” In Delaware, that usually means certified copies (vital/court), clerk certifications on judgments, registrar verification for academic records, and clean notarizations for affidavits/POAs. If a step is skipped, the Secretary of State may reject or delay your filing.

Vital Records

Always use certified copies — not photocopies or scans — from the Office of Vital Statistics or the relevant county/town authority. For a Delaware birth certificate apostille, ensure the certificate is legible and recently issued. The same applies to a marriage certificate apostille, a court-certified divorce decree apostille, and a death certificate apostille.

Court Documents

Delaware’s courts (including the Court of Chancery, Superior Court, Family Court, and Court of Common Pleas) must provide certified copies via the clerk. Plain docket prints are insufficient for apostille.

Notarized Documents

Powers of attorney, affidavits, parental consents, corporate resolutions, and authorization letters must be notarized by a Delaware notary with complete certificate language, venue, date, signature, printed name, commission details, and seal. If the destination country has strict rules, we align the certificate format before filing. See power of attorney & notarized documents apostille.

Academic Records

For the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Wilmington University, Goldey-Beacom, Delaware Tech (DTCC), and other schools, a registrar verification or sealed packet is typically required prior to the diplomas & transcripts apostille. We coordinate with the registrar and then file with the SOS.

Business & Trade

International banks and registries often need apostilled Articles, Good Standing, board resolutions, and corporate POAs. We source certified copies from the Division of Corporations and ensure the packet meets the receiving country’s expectations.

Step-by-Step: Delaware Apostille Process

High-level view; we protect client privacy and proprietary workflow.

1. Identify the issuer — Delaware issuer/notary → Delaware SOS; federal issuer → U.S. Department of State (D.C.).
2. Readiness check — Certified copies (vital/court), compliant notarization, registrar verification, and pathway (Hague vs. non-Hague).
3. Submission — We file in person with the Delaware SOS for state documents and with the U.S. Department of State for federal documents.
4. Monitoring — We track the file, resolve issues fast, and prevent re-mail loops.
5. Issuance & delivery — We send a same-day scan; originals ship only if you want them (U.S. $20; international quoted).

Document Playbooks (Vital, Academic, Notarized, Corporate, Court, Federal/FBI)

Birth Certificate Apostille (Delaware)

Common for dual citizenship, immigration, school enrollment, marriage, or foreign residency. Obtain a fresh certified copy, then we file for a Delaware birth certificate apostille and return a same-day scan.

Marriage Certificate Apostille (Delaware)

Needed for visas, family registries, or name changes abroad. Secure a certified copy and we’ll complete the marriage certificate apostille with the SOS.

Divorce Decree Apostille (Delaware)

For remarriage, custody, or inheritance abroad, request a court-certified copy and we will obtain the divorce decree apostille and deliver a same-day scan.

Death Certificate Apostille (Delaware)

Estate and insurance matters often require a death certificate apostille. Only certified copies qualify; we file in person and provide a same-day scan.

Diplomas & Transcripts Apostille (Delaware)

For employers, ministries of education, and universities overseas, obtain registrar verification for University of Delaware, DSU, WilmU, Goldey-Beacom, DTCC, etc. Then we process the diplomas & transcripts apostille promptly.

Notarized Affidavits & POAs (Delaware)

Real estate, banking, adoption, or business representation abroad often hinges on properly notarized affidavits and powers of attorney. We pre-check certificates, then obtain the POA & notarized documents apostille.

Corporate Records (Delaware)

Delaware corporations frequently need apostilled Articles, Good Standing, board resolutions, incumbency certificates, and corporate POAs for overseas banks, regulators, and registries. We source certified copies and coordinate end-to-end.

FBI Background Check (Federal Apostille)

The FBI Identity History Summary is a federal record. We route it to the U.S. Department of State for a federal apostille and provide a same-day scan when issued. (Delaware SOS cannot apostille federal records.)

Why Delaware Corporations Often Need Apostilles

Delaware is the U.S. hub for incorporations and corporate case law. When a Delaware entity opens a foreign bank account, forms a subsidiary, signs cross-border agreements, or participates in a tender, foreign authorities often require apostilled corporate documents. The most common are Articles/Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Good Standing, board resolutions, and corporate POAs. We manage these every day, aligning the exact combination and order of documents that the receiving bank or registry expects (some request notarized translations or country-specific formats).

Use Cases & Scenarios (Delaware)

• UD graduate teaching in South Korea — apostilled diploma & transcripts + FBI apostille for visa.
• Family moving to the EU — apostilled birth certificates and marriage certificate; sometimes death certificates for dual-citizenship lineage.
• Wilmington firm opening an account in London — apostilled Articles, Good Standing, board resolutions, and corporate POA.
• Heirs managing property in Latin America — apostilled court orders and death certificates.
• International marriage — apostilled marriage certificate, single-status affidavits, and notarized affidavits.

Delaware Cities We Serve

We support clients statewide. If you searched “apostille near me Delaware,” we’ve got you covered. Frequent service areas include:

• New Castle County — Wilmington, Newark, New Castle, Bear, Glasgow, Hockessin, Middletown (overlaps with Kent), Claymont, Pike Creek, Elsmere, Edgemoor
• Kent County — Dover, Smyrna (overlaps with New Castle), Camden, Harrington, Magnolia, Milford (overlaps with Sussex), Felton
• Sussex County — Georgetown, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, Selbyville, Millsboro, Laurel, Seaford, Bridgeville, Milton, Delmar

County Coverage & Campuses

We routinely process records from New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. Campus work spans:

• University of Delaware (Newark); Delaware State University (Dover)
• Wilmington University (multiple locations); Goldey-Beacom College (Pike Creek)
• Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC) — all campuses
• Legacy records for Wesley College and other formerly independent institutions

Hague vs. Non-Hague: Embassy Legalization

If your destination country is a Hague member, a Delaware apostille is typically the last step. For non-Hague destinations, documents take the authentication path (state or federal) followed by embassy/consular legalization. Some countries require certified translations in a specific sequence (before or after apostille). We map the exact route to prevent returns.

Real-World Timelines, Risks & Contingencies

DIY mail-in can be slow and unforgiving — an incorrect fee, a stale certificate, an incomplete notary block, or a missing registrar step can cause a full return. To keep your timeline safe:

• Front-load readiness — gather recent certified copies; verify notary language; obtain registrar verification for diplomas & transcripts apostille.
• In-person filing — for fixed dates (visa appointments, onboarding, school start), avoid mail-in risk.
• Leverage scans — many consulates/schools pre-process from our same-day scan while the original ships.
• Parallel tracks — if you have both state and federal items, we run them simultaneously.

Top Mistakes to Avoid in Delaware

• Wrong authority — submitting an FBI report to Delaware SOS or a Delaware record to the U.S. Department of State. Use the correct path: birth, marriage, divorce, death, diplomas & transcripts, POAs & notarized affidavits.
• Uncertified/old copies — photocopies or outdated vital records; obtain fresh certified copies before filing.
• Notary defects — missing seal, wrong venue, incomplete certificate, or remote notarization not accepted by the destination. See our POA & notarized documents apostille guide.
• Skipping registrar steps — university records without registrar verification are commonly rejected. Follow the academic apostille process.
• No destination check — Hague vs. non-Hague determines whether you need apostille or authentication + legalization.
• Late starts — mail cycles plus re-mailing can derail travel/consular appointments. In-person filing reduces the risk.

Readiness Checklist (Delaware)

• Is your document state (Delaware) or federal (U.S. agency)?
• For vital/court records, do you have a certified copy (not a photocopy or plain download)? If not, start with: birth certificate apostille, marriage certificate apostille, divorce decree apostille, death certificate apostille.
• For notarized items, is the notarization Delaware-compliant (venue, date, signature, printed name, commission, seal)? If unsure, see POA & notarized documents apostille.
• For academic records, has the registrar provided the required letter or sealed packet? See diplomas & transcripts apostille.
• Is the destination Hague (apostille) or non-Hague (authentication + legalization)?
• Do you have a deadline (visa appointment, school start, onboarding) that justifies in-person filing and proactive monitoring?

Frequently Asked Questions (DE Apostille)

Who issues apostilles for Delaware documents?

The Delaware Secretary of State — Division of Corporations issues apostilles for Delaware-origin documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, court orders, diplomas & transcripts, and notarized POAs & affidavits.

Can Delaware apostille my FBI background check?

No. The FBI Identity History Summary is a federal record and must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Delaware SOS only apostilles Delaware-origin documents.

How fast can a Delaware apostille be completed?

DIY mail-in can take weeks. With readiness and in-person filing, ~24 hours is possible for many state documents (vital, court-certified, notarized, registrar-verified). We send a same-day scan upon issuance; shipping is optional.

Do apostilles expire?

The apostille itself doesn’t formally expire, but many consulates/universities prefer recent issuance (often within 90 days). If timing matters, expedite.

Is shipping required?

No. Shipping is optional. We always provide a same-day scan. U.S. shipping is $20; international shipping is quoted.

What if I need both a birth certificate and a diploma apostilled?

We can submit parallel tracks: Delaware birth certificate apostille via the SOS and diplomas & transcripts apostille with your registrar’s verification.

Do you provide certified translations?

Yes — when required by the destination. We’ll confirm whether translation should happen before or after the apostille to meet the country’s rules.

Are you a government office?

No. We’re a private expert service that prepares, files, monitors, and delivers apostilles end-to-end (state and federal), with same-day scans and optional shipping.

Related Guides & Tools

• Birth Certificate Apostille
• Marriage Certificate Apostille
• Divorce Decree Apostille
• Death Certificate Apostille
• Academic Diplomas & Transcripts Apostille
• Power of Attorney & Notarized Documents Apostille

Disclaimer: Requirements and timelines can change without notice. We base our guidance on current practices of the Delaware Secretary of State and the U.S. Department of State at the time of your order.