How a Federal Government Shutdown Could Affect Apostilles & Legalizations
- Certified Apostille Agent
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
When the federal government shuts down, uncertainty ripples through many agencies, and people often wonder: will my apostille or legalization be delayed? As someone who handles apostilles, legalizations, and translation services, I want to reassure you: I’m still open, still accepting requests, and carefully monitoring developments regarding the federal government shutdown to protect your deadlines.
At the heart of the issue is that some documents require not only state-level apostilles, but also federal authentication via the U.S. Department of State. Documents that originate with a federal agency (for example, FBI background checks, or certain federal court records) must pass through the Department of State’s Authentications Office. That’s where a federal government shutdown is most likely to cause friction. The question is whether the shutdown would completely halt or merely slow that work.
Despite the federal government shutdown, I have not found a definitive public notice saying the Office of Authentications is closed, but historically, fee-funded or user-service units sometimes continue limited operations under shutdowns. The National Association of Secretaries of State reports that the USDOS will accept walk-in drop-offs during narrow morning hours and processes documents meeting criteria. Still, when government staff are reduced or nonessential work suspended, delays become more likely.
On the other hand, state-level offices for apostilles often remain fully operational. In Indiana, for example, the Secretary of State’s office continues to process apostilles and authentication requests. Their turnaround is generally quick—many requests are completed in one to two business days with in-person processing.
Documents issued under Indiana authority—such as notarized affidavits, vital records, other state agency records—are handled entirely at the state level, and they do not depend on federal operations.
Why You Can Rely on My Apostille Service Despite Federal Government Shutdown
I operate as a private apostille agent, therefore my work is not directly subject to a federal shutdown. I will continue to accept your requests, prepare documents when required, manage needed notarizations, coordinate with state offices, and monitor developments at the Department of State. If your document requires authentication from the U.S. Department of State, I will flag it early and communicate any anticipated delay.
Do not assume that every apostille or authentication service is halted. But do plan ahead and allow extra buffer time when your document must go through federal channels. If your deadline is tight, let me know as soon as possible so we can assess whether your documents require a federal step and whether we should expedite those or if your apostilled documents need to be shipped abroad.
If you’re concerned about how this might affect your document — whether it’s a birth certificate, diploma, power of attorney, corporate documents, or a federal record — just reach out. I’m actively accepting apostille, legalization, and translation requests as usual. Contact me today, and together we’ll make sure your documents stay on track.
317-373-4370 | Info@ChristieNotary.com | ChristieNotary.com
Located in Indianapolis, Indiana
About Me: Since 2003, I have proudly served my community as a Notary Public, offering reliable and professional services. I transitioned to Remote Online Notarizations in 2020 and began serving as a Certified Apostille Agent in 2021. With extensive training and certification, I specialize in handling all types of legalizations, including complex Embassy Legalizations. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, I am dedicated to providing efficient and stress-free notarization and apostille services both locally and worldwide.
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