Utah Digital Apostille Initiative Named 2026 NASCIO State IT Recognition Award Recipient

First-of-its-kind U.S. digital apostille initiative, powered by @Gov's ApostilleXpress platform, recognized for transforming international document authentication

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The State of Utah's groundbreaking digital apostille initiative has been named a 2026 NASCIO State IT Recognition Award recipient in the Digital Experience: Agency/Program Solutions category.

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) recognized Utah's initiative, "Modernizing International Document Authentication for the Digital Age," for its innovative use of technology to modernize how government-issued documents are authenticated for international use.

The initiative is powered by ApostilleXpress (AX), @Gov's secure technology platform developed to modernize the submission, processing, issuance, delivery and verification of Apostilles and other document authentications.

"This recognition belongs first and foremost to the State of Utah and the people who had the vision to fundamentally rethink a government service that had relied on largely paper-based processes for decades," said Chris Jackson, CEO of @Gov. "We are incredibly proud to have partnered with Utah and to see ApostilleXpress help turn that vision into a secure, modern service that delivers measurable benefits to citizens, businesses and organizations."

Through the initiative, the Utah Office of the Lieutenant Governor became the first Competent Authority in the United States to issue and securely deliver encrypted, digitally verifiable Apostilles alongside traditional paper Apostilles through a unified web-based platform.

Utah launched secure online ordering through ApostilleXpress in September, allowing eligible customers to submit authentication requests online, upload documents, pay securely and receive Digital Apostilles electronically when available. Both paper and digital authentications can also be independently verified online.

According to Utah's NASCIO award submission, the initiative has achieved significant results:

• 80% faster overall processing
• 25% faster paper issuance
• 60% reduction in constituent costs
• Instant digital delivery
• Zero rejected Digital Apostilles by foreign recipients
• Zero implementation costs to the state
• Zero maintenance costs to the state

The Utah Office of the Lieutenant Governor authenticated more than 45,000 documents in 2025, an increase of approximately 250% since 2020, highlighting the growing demand for document authentication services.

"Utah demonstrated what is possible when government leadership and technology come together around a clear objective: improving the experience for the people and organizations government serves," Jackson said. "What Utah has accomplished provides a model for how other states can modernize document authentication while maintaining government authority, security and trust."

Utah continues to provide traditional paper Apostilles and authentications while offering digital services as an additional option for eligible documents. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor remains Utah's designated Competent Authority and retains responsibility for issuing Apostilles and Authentications.

The NASCIO State IT Recognition Awards honor technology innovation and excellence in state government. Nearly 140 submissions were received from NASCIO member states and territories for the 2026 awards program. Utah was one of three finalists in the Digital Experience: Agency/Program Solutions category before being named the award recipient.

About @Gov

@Gov develops secure technology solutions that help government agencies modernize public services while maintaining government authority and oversight. The company works with government partners to transform complex, traditionally paper-based processes into secure digital services designed to improve efficiency, accessibility and constituent experience.

About ApostilleXpress

ApostilleXpress (AX) is @Gov's secure platform for modernizing Apostille and document authentication services. The platform supports online submission, workflow management, paper and digital issuance, secure electronic delivery, constituent communication and online verification through an e-Register.

Media Contact

Patrick Smith
Chief Marketing Officer
@Gov
[email protected]
(757) 278-7593

SOURCE @Gov