#United States #Utah #ApostilleXpress #NASCIO

Utah's Digital Apostille Initiative Honored

The State of Utah has achieved a significant milestone in the realm of digital governance by receiving the esteemed 2026 NASCIO State IT Recognition Award. This award, conferred by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), acknowledges Utah's pioneering digital apostille initiative designed to revolutionize the authentication of government-issued documents for international use.

This innovative program, named "Modernizing International Document Authentication for the Digital Age," utilizes the ApostilleXpress platform developed by @Gov. This secure technology ensures the modernization of the submission, processing, issuance, delivery, and verification of Apostilles and other document authentications.

Leadership and Vision

Chris Jackson, CEO of @Gov, emphasized the importance of this recognition, attributing it to the visionaries in Utah who dared to rethink an outdated, predominantly paper-based process. He stated, "This recognition belongs first and foremost to the State of Utah... We are incredibly proud to have partnered with Utah to see ApostilleXpress turn that vision into a secure service that delivers measurable benefits to citizens and businesses."

Utah’s Office of the Lieutenant Governor has become the first authority in the U.S. to issue both traditional paper and digitally verifiable Apostilles securely through an integrated web platform. In September, Utah launched the ApostilleXpress platform that enables eligible customers to authenticate documents online securely—this includes submitting requests, document uploads, secure payments, and receiving Digital Apostilles electronically. Notably, both types of authentications are independently verifiable online, reinforcing trust in the process.

Significant Impact and Results

The initiative has yielded impressive results, as indicated in Utah's NASCIO award submission:

• - Processing times have improved dramatically, with overall processing becoming 80% faster.
• - Issuance of paper documents is now 25% quicker.
• - Consumer costs have been reduced by 60%.
• - Digital deliveries are instantaneous.
• - Remarkably, no Digital Apostilles were rejected by foreign recipients.
• - The state incurred zero implementation and maintenance costs.

In 2025, the Utah Office of the Lieutenant Governor authenticated over 45,000 documents—a staggering 250% increase since 2020—demonstrating the growing demand for efficient document authentication services.

Jackson noted, "What Utah has accomplished serves as a model for other states seeking to modernize document authentication, while still upholding governmental authority, security, and trust." The state continues to offer traditional paper Apostilles alongside the new digital service, ensuring a comprehensive range of options for all types of documents.

Conclusion

The NASCIO State IT Recognition Awards celebrate innovations that enhance government technologies. Utah's initiative stood out among nearly 140 submissions, highlighting its forward-thinking approach to public service. Furthermore, this recognition not only honors the achievements of Utah but also inspires other states to follow suit in reinventing document authentication processes that better serve their citizens.

As Utah continues to pave the way in modernizing government services, it affirms the vital role technology plays in enhancing citizen engagement and operational efficiency.

About @Gov

@Gov specializes in creating secure technology solutions aimed at transforming how government agencies operate, focusing on improving accessibility and efficiency while maintaining authority.

About ApostilleXpress

ApostilleXpress (AX) is @Gov's innovative platform tailored for modernizing Apostille and document authentication, covering everything from online submission to secure electronic delivery and verification.