North Carolina
U.S. Passport Copy Apostille for North Carolina Residents
How North Carolina residents get their U.S. Passport Copy authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the North Carolina Secretary of State can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
If your U.S. Passport Copy was notarized in North Carolina, its apostille comes from the North Carolina Secretary of State in Raleigh — not from Washington.
Key takeaways
- A U.S. Passport Copy notarized in North Carolina is apostilled by the North Carolina Secretary of State — we don’t provide state-level apostilles.
- For a non-Hague country we handle U.S. Department of State authentication plus embassy legalization after the state step: $399.
- Authenticated by
- North Carolina Secretary of State
- North Carolina apostille office
- North Carolina Secretary of State, Raleigh
- Our nearest office
- Charlotte
- Price
- Quoted
Notarized in North Carolina: the exact route
A notarized document like this is authenticated through the notary, not the federal government. If it was notarized in North Carolina, the apostille is issued by the North Carolina Secretary of State in Raleigh.
- Hague Convention destination: the North Carolina apostille is the final step.
- Non-Hague destination: the North Carolina-authenticated document then goes to the U.S. Department of State and on to the destination’s embassy.
We don’t submit to the North Carolina Secretary of State directly. Once your document has its North Carolina authentication, we handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for non-Hague destinations ($399).
Get the notarial wording right before signing — requirements vary by destination, and a mistake means redoing the whole chain.
About the U.S. Passport Copy
How to apostille a certified copy of a U.S. passport for foreign bank accounts, company formation and property purchases abroad.
What the North Carolina Secretary of State can do
The North Carolina Secretary of State in Raleigh issues apostilles for documents signed by North Carolina officials — birth, death and marriage certificates from North Carolina registrars, North Carolina state-court records, and documents notarized by North Carolina notaries. It has no authority over federal documents such as FBI reports, USCIS certificates or IRS letters.
State offices set their own procedures and fees, so confirm current requirements with the office before submitting a state document.
Getting it done from North Carolina
We have a processing office in North Carolina: Charlotte. It handles orders by phone and online and isn’t open to the public, so documents come to us by mail — the fastest route to Washington.
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | State apostille | Varies by state |
| Non-Hague country | State authentication, then federal + embassy | 15–17 business days after the state step |
Serving Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham and everywhere else in North Carolina.
Official sources: U.S. Department of State — U.S. Passports · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · North Carolina Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries).
North Carolina state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) are apostilled by the North Carolina Secretary of State, Authentication Office · 2 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-2903 · 919-814-5400 · state fee $10. We don’t provide state-level apostilles. Official page (checked October 2026).
U.S. Passport Copy in North Carolina — FAQ
Can the North Carolina Secretary of State apostille my U.S. Passport Copy?
Yes, if it was notarized in North Carolina — a notarized U.S. Passport Copy is apostilled by the state where it was notarized.
Do I have to travel to Washington, D.C. from North Carolina?
No. We handle the Washington submission for you. Most North Carolina clients send their documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from North Carolina?
It depends on the state step first; for non-Hague destinations, our federal and embassy steps take 15–17 business days after that.
How much does it cost?
Pricing depends on where the document was notarized and the destination; we confirm it before any payment.
Related: U.S. Passport Copy — full guide · All documents in North Carolina · Federal vs. state apostille
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.