Authentications and Apostilles Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get an Apostille or Authentication Certificate
The Ohio Secretary of State’s office will determine whether an apostille or authentication certificate will be issued based on the country where the documents will be used.
Contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, before sending your document overseas. They’ll inform you if you require additional steps or approvals.
The Secretary of State can issue an apostille or authentication only for documents containing an original or facsimile signature of a public or elected official acting in their official capacity. To learn more about acceptable documents visit Documents Eligible for Apostille or Authentication in Ohio [LINK].
Each apostille or authentication costs $5 per document.
You can pay by check, money order, or credit card.
If you mail your request, include the credit card authorization form.
Foreign checks or money orders are not accepted.
Be sure to send the exact fee amount.
Mailed requests for apostilles are processed in two to three days.
No. The office does not provide translation services. If your document needs to be translated, have it translated first, then notarized before submitting it for authentication or an apostille.
No. Do not remove, detach, or reattach apostille or authentication certificates. Doing so will invalidate the certification.
No. FBI background checks must be authenticated directly through the FBI. Visit fbi.gov for details on how to request authentication.
No. Federal agency documents must go to the U.S. Department of State. The issuing federal court should authenticate federal court documents. If your document includes a notarized statement certifying it as a true copy, the Ohio Secretary of State can authenticate that notarial certificate.
Verify with your destination country to ensure this method is accepted.
If your parents are U.S. citizens, contact the U.S. Department of State, Passport Services, to authenticate your birth certificate.
Your school records or transcripts must be notarized before they can be authenticated. Most Ohio schools and universities have staff members authorized to notarize official academic documents.