State-Issued Apostille Requirements

State-issued documents for use in countries that are members of 1961 Hague Convention must be authenticated by the competent authority in the state where the document was executed.

A state-issued document with an apostille does not require additional certification by the U.S. Department of State or legalization by a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas to be recognized in a participating country.The U.S. Department of State will not issue an apostille for state-issued documents.

State-issued documents for use in countries that are not members of the 1961 Hague Convention may be authenticated with an authentication certificate from the U.S. Department of State. Please see Authentication Certificate Requirements for more information.

    Examples of state and local documents include:

• Birth Certificates
• Marriage Certificates
• Death Certificates
• Divorce Decrees
• Probate Wills
• Judgments

   Requirements for state and local documents include:

• Original or certified document must include the raised and/or stamped seal of the court or department of vital records.

• Must be certified by the Secretary of State from the state in which the documents were issued. The Secretary of State will certify to the official signing the document under the Seal of the State.

Other Documents

Examples of other documents include:

• Affidavits
• Agreements
• Articles of Incorporation
• Bylaws
• Commercial Invoices
• Copy of a U.S. Passport (identification page only)
• Deeds of Assignment
• Diplomas
• Home Study
• Income Verification
• Powers-of-Attorney
• Single Status
• Transcripts
• Other business documents

Requirements for other documents include:

• Must be certified with a stamp or seal by a notary public
• Must be certified by the clerk of court from the county in which the notary is commissioned
• Must be certified by the Secretary of State from the state in which the document was executed
• Documents from the District of Columbia must be certified by the Government of the District of Columbia Notarial Section
• Note: the document doesn't have to be certified by the clerk of court from the county in which the notary is commissioned if the Secretary of State will certify directly to the notary.

In the State of Maryland, apostilles are issued by the office of John P. McDonough, Maryland Secretary of State in Annapolis.

Processing Time:

• Walk-in: Same Day
• Mail: 2-3 Days

‍

Cost: $5 per document:

The fee must be paid by U.S. check or U.S. money order, made out to “Secretary of State.” If you are appearing in person with the documents you can also pay by credit or debit card.

‍

Applicable Documents:

‍

State/county-issued documents may be issued an authentication or apostille by a designated authority, generally the state Secretary of State’s office.

‍

Examples of commonly apostilled and authenticated state/county-issued documents include:

• Birth Certificates
• Death Certificates
• Divorce Decrees
• Marriage Certificates
• Probate Wills
• Judgments in state court cases

‍

Mail-in requests: Send to below address

‍

If the certification is completed by mail, you must include the following:

1. Check or money order for total cost of the apostilled document(s)

• The check may be a personal check, a cashier’s check, or a business check, made out to the “Secretary of State.”
• If you are overseas and require a Maryland apostille, it may be helpful to obtain a cashier’s check in U.S. currency at your nearest foreign bank.

1. Cover letter indicating which country the document(s) will be used for.

• Cover letter here sample cover letter to use

1. Self-addressed, pre-paid envelope for the return of the apostilled document(s).

• Fedex, UPS, and Certified Mail are all accepted methods for sending and returning documents.

In-person requests: Visit below address

‍

If the certification is completed in person, any form of payment is accepted: personal, cashier’s or business check, money order, cash, and credit cards with a minimum charge of $10.00. Completed while you wait.

‍

Address:      Visit in person or mail documents to:

Maryland Secretary of State

Certifications Desk

16 Francis Street, Jeffrey Building, 1st Floor, Annapolis, MD 21401

Phone:  (410) 974-5521

Email: acowley@sos.state.md.us

‍