Apostille & Document Legalization Services in Charlotte, NC
Need your documents accepted in another country? At Ink & Initial Notary Co., we help Charlotte residents (and clients across North Carolina) with professional apostille and document legalization services. Whether you’re handling an international adoption, studying abroad, moving overseas, or preparing legal and business documents, we make the process straightforward, reliable, and stress-free.
We offer mobile apostille appointments at your home, office, law firm, hospital, or another convenient location in Charlotte and the surrounding areas.
What Is an Apostille (Explained Simply)?
Here’s the easiest way to think about it:
A notarization verifies the person who signed the document.
An apostille verifies the notary (and the state official who issued it).
In short: an apostille is an international “stamp of approval” that proves your U.S. document is authentic. It tells foreign governments and institutions that the notary’s seal or the state’s signature is legitimate — so your document can be accepted abroad.
In North Carolina, the Secretary of State is the office that issues apostilles.
Apostille vs. Legalization: Hague vs. Non-Hague Countries
Not every country uses the same system.
If your destination country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention: you only need an apostille. This is the simpler and faster option.
If your destination country is NOT part of the Hague Convention: you’ll need a more complex process called authentication and legalization.
That process usually involves:
North Carolina Secretary of State authentication
U.S. Department of State authentication (Washington, D.C.)
The Embassy or Consulate of your destination country
👉 Think of it like this: Hague = fast lane. Non-Hague = longer lane with extra stops.
Common Reasons People in Charlotte Need Apostilles
We regularly assist with:
Birth, marriage, or death certificates
School transcripts or diplomas (study/work abroad)
Powers of attorney or legal documents
Business contracts and corporate records
Immigration or adoption paperwork
How the Apostille & Legalization Process Works
Here’s how we make it simple:
1. Schedule Your Appointment
Book online or by phone to get started.
2. Document Review
We confirm requirements and check that your documents are prepared correctly. (Important: Some records, such as birth or marriage certificates, must come directly from the issuing office.)
3. Submission to the Proper Authority
Hague countries: North Carolina Secretary of State (or U.S. Dept. of State for federal documents).
Non-Hague countries: NC Secretary of State ➜ U.S. Dept. of State ➜ Embassy/Consulate.
4. Secure Return Delivery
Choose USPS, FedEx/UPS, or in-person pickup.
Apostille & Legalization Pricing in Charlotte, NC
Hague Apostille (Hague Convention Countries):
Standard Processing (Mail): Starting at $150 per document • ~10–15 business days
Expedited (FedEx/UPS): Starting at $250 per document • ~5–7 business days
Hand Delivery to NC Secretary of State (Raleigh): Starting at $350 per document • ~3–5 business days
Each additional document (same country): +$50
Non-Hague Legalization (Authentication + Embassy):
Standard Legalization: Starting at $250 per document • ~4–8 weeks
Expedited / Embassy Courier Services: Custom quote based on country, fees, and steps required
⚠️ Processing Delays Notice: Please note that federal or state government closures — such as holidays or a government shutdown — can add extra time to processing. While we move your documents forward as quickly as possible, some delays are outside of our control.
⚠️ Government and embassy fees are billed separately and vary by country.
Deposit Policy:
A $100 deposit is collected at the time of scheduling to reserve your apostille appointment and begin preparation. This deposit is applied toward your total fee. If you cancel with at least 24 hours’ notice, it will be fully refunded. If canceled with less notice or after processing work has begun, the deposit is non-refundable.
What You’ll Need for Apostille Services
✔️ Original or certified copy of your documents
Planning to use a copy? The NC Secretary of State requires a notarized affidavit confirming it’s a “true copy” of the original. We can prepare this affidavit for you during your appointment if needed.
✔️ Valid government-issued photo ID
✔️ Any country-specific instructions from your destination
✔️ Accepted payment method (cash, card, or approved digital)
Why Choose Ink & Initial Notary Co.?
✨ Clear, step-by-step guidance
✨ Transparent pricing (no hidden fees)
✨ Local support across Charlotte, Lake Norman (Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson), Matthews, Concord, Kannapolis, Mint Hill, Harrisburg, and the University Area
✨ Professional communication — you’ll always know where your documents are in the process
Important Note About Apostilles in North Carolina
The North Carolina Secretary of State can only issue apostilles for documents that originated in North Carolina.
✅ Your document must be:
Notarized by a North Carolina notary public, OR
Issued by a North Carolina agency or official (such as NC Vital Records, a Clerk of Superior Court, or a NC university registrar).
❌ If your document was issued or notarized in another state (example: a birth certificate from Virginia or a notarized affidavit from South Carolina), it must be apostilled in that state — not North Carolina.
✅ Ink & Initial Notary Co. — Apostille & Legalization Services in Charlotte, NC
Clear answers. Local expertise. International recognition.
Ready to Get Started?
📞 Call 980-216-4754 or