Illinois Apostille for Sweden
Illinois documents authenticated for use in Sweden
In short: Sweden is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so an Illinois public document used there is authenticated with an apostille from the Illinois Secretary of State - not embassy legalization. We handle the whole process by mail. Translations are generally made by the country's own sworn or official translators or notaries, so check with the receiving office before ordering one in the U.S.
What Sweden commonly needs apostilled
Illinois documents used in Sweden most often include birth and marriage certificates, university diplomas and transcripts, and powers of attorney - typically for residency, study, work, marriage, or business. Sweden is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so these Illinois public documents are authenticated with an apostille from the Illinois Secretary of State rather than embassy legalization. Swedish authorities work in Swedish, and certified translations there carry the stamp of a translator authorized by Sweden's Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency (Kammarkollegiet). A translation made in the U.S. usually won't qualify, so check with the receiving office before ordering one; we handle the apostille so your translator there can work from the apostilled original.
How it works - a remote, tracked process
- Tell us the document and destination. Call or text 847-436-5222; we confirm exactly what you have and where it's going.
- Send us the document. Mail or courier your Illinois original (or a notarized copy) to our Naperville office.
- We authenticate it at the Illinois Secretary of State - standard by mail or hand-carried to the Chicago counter for expedited service.
- We return it, tracked - to you or straight to your recipient.
Need a criminal-record certificate for a Sweden visa or residency instead? See FBI background check apostille for Sweden.
Why Efficient Biometrics
A licensed, insured service with a real, staffed office in Naperville (682 Illinois Route 59) - not a P.O. box - a notary on site, document-level tracking, and local proximity to the Chicago Secretary of State counter for genuine expedited service. Call or text 847-436-5222.
Passport and visa photos for Sweden
A visa for Sweden normally requires a photo to that country's own specification (most commonly 35 × 45 mm), which differs from the standard U.S. 2 × 2-inch passport photo. Efficient Biometrics takes compliant passport and visa photos to the correct size in the same visit as your apostille or Live Scan, so you don't need a second trip. Exact requirements vary by visa type and consulate, so we shoot to the precise spec your application needs. Book passport and visa photos or call 847-436-5222.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sweden accept an apostille, or does it require legalization?
An apostille. Sweden is a Hague Apostille Convention member, so Illinois public documents are authenticated with an apostille from the Illinois Secretary of State - not embassy legalization.
Do I need a Swedish translation?
Swedish authorities work in Swedish, and certified translations there carry the stamp of a translator authorized by Sweden's Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency (Kammarkollegiet). A translation made in the U.S. usually won't qualify, so check with the receiving office before ordering one; we handle the apostille so your translator there can work from the apostilled original.
Can you help if I no longer live in Illinois?
Yes. An Illinois document can only be apostilled in Illinois; we handle the entire process by mail from anywhere in the U.S. or abroad.
Do you take passport and visa photos for Sweden?
Yes - we take compliant passport and visa photos to your destination's exact specification (commonly 35 x 45 mm, different from the U.S. 2x2-inch size) in the same visit as your apostille or Live Scan. Requirements vary by visa type and consulate. Book at efficientbiometrics.com/book.