Apostilles

What is an Apostille?

An apostille is an authentication of an official document in order to certify it for international use under the terms of the 1961 Hague Convention. Documents that have been notarized by a notary public then certified by a conformant apostille are accepted for legal use in all the nations that have signed the Hague Convention.

For UM transcripts and diplomas, the Office of the Registrar notarizes the official documents then forwards them to the Montana Secretary of State to certify as the conformant apostille. From there, the apostilled documents are mailed to the student's intended recipient.

Read more about apostilles and authentications on the Montana Secretary of State's website.

How to Obtain an Apostille

Step One: Order Your Document(s)

Transcripts

Order an official transcript.

In your order, request that your transcript be sent via mail.

Select Employer/Other as the recipient type instead of College/University.

Enter Office of the Registrar as the recipient name.

Use the following mailing address:

Office of the Registrar
Attention: Apostille
32 Campus Dr
Missoula, MT 59812

Diplomas

Order a replacement diploma, or mail in your original diploma.

If ordering a replacement, state in your order that the replacement diploma will be used for an apostille.

Use the following mailing address:

Office of the Registrar
Attention: Apostille
32 Campus Drive
Missoula, MT 59812

To expedite the process, you can opt to pay extra for priority shipping. Altogether, the apostille process takes up to 3 to 4 weeks depending on the time of year. Without priority shipping, replacement diplomas typically take about 2 to 3 weeks to be delivered on top of the 3- to 4-week processing time for the apostille.

Step Two: Compile Apostille Packet

Compile a packet containing the following materials:

  • Your original diploma OR a note that you have ordered an official transcript or replacement diploma per the steps above
  • Two stamped envelopes with the following addresses:
    • Secretary of State
      Montana Capitol Building, Rm 260
      PO Box 202801
      Helena, MT 59620-2801
    • Your intended recipient's mailing address
    • Tip: You may expedite the process by requesting and paying for overnight delivery of your document(s)
  • A personal check or cashier's check in the amount of $10 dollars per document to be validated. Make checks payable to "Montana Secretary of State."
  • A completed Certificate Request Form from the Secretary of State's website

Attention: Postage on each envelope should allow for as many documents as you have requested to be apostilled. Use the USPS Retail Postage Price Calculator to determine the correct amount of postage needed in order for your order to be delivered without getting returned.

Step Three: After You Place Your Order

Upon receiving your packet, the process in the Registrar's Office is as follows:

  1. Your document(s) are signed by the Registrar and notarized.
  2. The Registrar's Office mails your packet to the Secretary of State to be certified by a conformant apostille using the first envelope and postage in your packet.
  3. The Secretary of State mails your document(s) to your intended recipient using the second envelope and postage in your packet.

This process typically takes around 3 to 4 weeks for completion. Processing times may vary by the time of year and demand for apostille services.

Ordering a replacement diploma may add up to 2 to 3 weeks for the diploma to be delivered to the Registrar's Office. 

Students may expedite the process by requesting and paying for overnight delivery of the document(s).