The authorities of Connecticut are carrying out a large-scale reform of document legalization procedures. In 2025, they changed the submission process, and an electronic apostille is expected to be introduced soon. This was reported by official state online resources.
Why you may need an apostille in the USA
An apostille is an internationally standardized certificate confirming the authenticity of a document so that it can be used in countries that recognize this form of legalization. It usually takes the form of a special stamp or certificate. In recent years, however, the electronic apostille (e-Apostille) has also become increasingly common. This is a digital certificate that confirms the authenticity of documents issued in electronic form.
As Schmidt & Schmidt reported earlier, the United States joined the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents of October 5, 1961 (the Apostille Convention) on December 24, 1980. The Convention officially entered into force for the United States on December 15, 1981.
Before that, in order to use U.S. documents abroad — or foreign documents in the United States — it was necessary to complete a lengthy and costly consular legalization procedure. Since 1981, however, an apostille has been sufficient for documents to be recognized in both cases.
However, an apostille can only be issued for documents intended for use in countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Convention. In all other cases, consular legalization is still required. In several U.S. states, a so-called “universal certificate” has also been introduced — a unified form that is considered both an apostille and a confirmation of consular legalization.
Unlike many other countries, the United States does not have a single authority responsible for apostilles and consular legalization nationwide. The authority authorized to issue an apostille depends on the body that originally issued the document.
Documents issued by U.S. federal authorities are apostilled by the Office of Authentications of the U.S. Department of State. Documents issued by federal courts are authenticated by clerks of the Federal Judiciary. All other documents (such as civil status records, medical documents, educational certificates, etc.) are apostilled by state authorities — most commonly the Secretary of State or the Lieutenant Governor. In practice, documents are submitted and processed not by these officials personally but by authorized departments within their offices.
How to obtain an apostille in Connecticut
In Connecticut, the Secretary of the State is responsible for apostilling local documents. Applications should be submitted to the Authentication and Apostille Unit of the Secretary of the State’s office.
In 2025, the Connecticut authorities launched a reform of the apostille procedure in the state. Starting from July 21, 2025, the Secretary of the State began issuing a single certificate of authentication for all documents subject to verification — both for apostille and for consular legalization. As a result, every document submitted for authentication for use abroad is now processed according to the same procedure.
The following documents can be authenticated in Connecticut if they were issued or certified by the following officials or authorities:
- Connecticut notaries public;
- Town and municipal clerks, as well as their assistants and deputies;
- Registrars of vital records and their assistants or deputies;
- Clerks and assistant clerks of the Connecticut Supreme Court;
- Commissioners of Connecticut state agencies;
- Justices of the peace.
Since September 2, 2025, applications for document apostilles can only be submitted online. Paper order forms for legalization are no longer accepted.
The apostille procedure in Connecticut now follows the following steps:
- Prepare the original document or a certified copy;
- Make sure the document was notarized by a Connecticut notary public or certified by an authorized state official within the last 10 years. The document must also bear an official seal;
- Visit the Connecticut administrative services website and create an account;
- Log in to your account and submit a request for an apostille;
- Send the documents to the Office of the Secretary of the State by mail, courier, or delivery services such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL.
Together with the documents, you must also send a receipt (or the paid order number) and a prepaid return envelope with your address and postage.
You can track the status of your application through your personal account on the state services website. The standard processing time for an apostille is 5–7 days. Expedited processing is available within 24 hours.
The Secretary of the State does not issue apostilles for documents intended for use in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands, as these territories are part of the United States.
Preparation for the introduction of an electronic apostille in Connecticut
The Connecticut authorities have introduced Bill SB No. 294, which addresses trade names, the filing of fraudulent documents, improper business solicitations, corporate dissolution, apostille procedures, and notarial fees.
The bill has already passed public hearings and continues the apostille reform that began in 2025.
The bill sets the state fee for issuing an apostille in Connecticut at USD 40. An exception applies to adoption documents, for which the fee is USD 15.
The bill confirms the authority of the Secretary of the State to issue apostilles and perform consular legalization. At the same time, it introduces an electronic apostille that will be fully equivalent to the traditional paper version. It will have the same legal validity, and the same state fee will apply.
The exact date when the bill will enter into force has not yet been announced.
What is an apostille?
What is an apostille? Why do I need an apostille? How do I get an apostille? - Our video will explain everything you need to know about the apostille. If you have a document that needs to be certified with an apostille for use abroad, Schmidt and Schmidt will assist you! We provide apostille services in more than 100 countries worldwide.
