Apostille, Notarization and Authentication | Pennsylvania

In the State of Pennsylvania, apostilles are issued by the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth in Harrisburg.

Apostille Processing Time:

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• Walk-in: Same Day
• Drop-Box: 5-7 Business Days
• Mail: 2-3 Weeks

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Cost: $15

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Documents submitted for apostille need to comply with the following guidelines:

• Official documents need the seal and signature of a Pennsylvania government official, custodian of the vital record.
• Documents issued at County level bearing the signature of an assistant or deputy clerk cannot be submitted for apostille. They need to be signed by the County Clerk.
• Marriage license certificates with the signature of a clergy person are not acceptable. They need to be issued and bear the signature of the clerk of the orphans’ court or the register of wills.
• Birth or death certificates issued by local registrars are not accepted for apostille. Vital records need to be issued and signed by the state registrar Marina OReilly Matthew.

• Diplomas, transcripts and criminal record checks must be notarized prior to requesting an apostille or certification.  
• Official Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates DO NOT NEED to be notarized prior

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Mail-in requests

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• Mail your documents to the Department of State along with a cover letter that includes your name and full mailing address or you may use our Request for Legalization of Documents form.

• Identify in the cover letter the country where the documents will be used.

• Enclose a personal check, money order or cashier's check made payable to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" in the amount of $15 per document.  Checks and money orders must be issued by a U.S. institution or, if issued by a foreign bank, must be in U.S. dollars and contain a routing number.  Cash cannot be accepted by mail.

• Photocopies of notarized or certified documents may not be certified by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

• Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your documents.  If you wish the order to be returned by a courier service, you must enclose a prepaid air bill with your order.  Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your documents.  If you wish the order to be returned by a courier service, you must enclose a prepaid airbill with your order.

Mail your request to:

Pennsylvania Department of State

Bureau of Notaries, Commissions & Legislation

Apostilles & Certifications

North Office Building, Room 201

Harrisburg, PA 17120-0029

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Walk- In: Apostilles & Certifications will be handled in room 201 of the North  Office Building. Customers can have apostilles and certifications processed in-person. Address:  401 North Street, Harrisburg, PA  17120

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