How to Get an Apostille in Illinois for the DAFT Visa Visa
Illinois has one of the cheapest and fastest apostille processes in the country.
Processing Time: 5-10 business days Cost: $2 per document (yes, really) Methods: Mail or in-person
What You Need
Documents that need Illinois apostille:
- Birth certificate (if born in Illinois)
- Marriage certificate (if married in Illinois)
- Other Illinois state documents
The Process
Step 1: Order certified copy of your document (birth certificate from Illinois Department of Public Health, $15, 2-3 weeks).
Step 2: Mail to Secretary of State with $2 payment and return envelope.
Step 3: Wait 5-10 business days for processing.
Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $15 |
| Apostille | $2 |
| Shipping | $10 |
| Total | $27 |
Illinois is the cheapest state we found.
Timeline
Total time: 3-4 weeks
- Order certificate: 2-3 weeks
- Apostille: 5-10 business days
In-Person Option
Howlett Building, 501 S. Second St., Room 328, Springfield, IL 62756 Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm Same-day service available, $2 per document
Best deal if you're in Springfield area.
Contact
Illinois Secretary of State
- Website: cyberdriveillinois.com
- Phone: (217) 782-7017
- Email: apostilles@ilsos.gov
For general apostille information, see Apostille Process Explained.
Related Resources:
- Birth Certificate Apostille Guide - Complete birth certificate process
- DAFT Documents Checklist - All required documents
- Complete DAFT Guide - Full application walkthrough
Digital Guide — $199
We're not immigration lawyers—just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.