Apostille Frequently Asked Questions | WA Secretary of State

Apostille Frequently Asked Questions | WA Secretary of State Notification: The Corporations and Charities Division’s Eastern Regional Branch In-Person services hours will be changing effective April 1 st , 2026. Visit our Contact Us page for the most up-to-date operating hours [POSTED 03/26/2026] Apostille Frequently Asked Questions OSOS Home Corporations & Charities Apostilles Services & Information - Resource Page Apostille Frequently Asked Questions Certificates are not valid for use anywhere within the United States of America, its territories or possessions. Send all documents with Request form and payment: Apostille Authentication Request Form Glossary of Topics Background Checks/Criminal History Record Driver License/Identification Personal Documents Private Schools/Colleges & Non-Washington Colleges/Universities Vital Records Washington State Business Entity Records Washington State Colleges & Universities Washington State High Schools Washington State Notary Certificate/Language What is the difference between an Apostille and a Certificate of Authentication? Apostilles are issued to documents intended for use in countries that are parties to the October 5, 1961 Hague Convention. Certificates of Authentication are issued to countries that are not parties to the October 5, 1961 Hague Convention. Washington State Notary Certificate/Language How do you know when your document has been notarized correctly? Your document should have a Notary certificate that is complete, signed and stamped by a Washington State Notary Public. The document should include a Notary Stamp and Signature, the State and County where the notary act took place, Date of the Notary Act, Signed and Printed Name of the Notary Public, Title (Notary Public), and the expiration date of notary appointment. 1) Notary Signature name and Notary stamp name should be identical 2) Date and Name on the Notary stamp should match the Notary Division License Directory 3) Look up notaries online at the Notary Division License Directory website The Notary Certificate can be part of the document or attached to it. If the document is without a notary certificate; ask the signer to provide one. You cannot notarize without one. See RCW 42.45.140 Short Forms of Certificate Vital Records How do I obtain an Apostille/Certificate of Authentication on my birth certificate? If it is a Washington Birth Certificate, you will need to send an Original Certified Birth Certificate. If the Birth Certificate was issued in another state, you will need to obtain the Apostille/Certificate in the state in which the person was born. Where can I order a Certified Birth Certificate? You can order Birth Certificates from either Center for Vital Statistics in Tumwater, Washington or any health department in Washington State. Vital Statistics (Tumwater office) can be reached by phone at (360)236-4313. How do I obtain an Apostille/Certificate of Authentication on a Death Certificate? If it is a Washington Death Certificate, you will need to send an Original Certified Death Certificate. If the Death Certificate was issued in another state, you will need to contact that specific state. Where can I order a Certified Death Certificate? You can order Death Certificates from either Center for Vital Statistics in Tumwater, Washington or any health department in Washington State. Vital Statistics (Tumwater office) can be reached by phone at (360)236-4313. What is the process to get my Marriage Certificate Apostille/Authenticated? You will need to send a certified copy of your Marriage certificate. If you do not have a certified copy, you can order a certified copy from the county auditor that issued the marriage certificate or Center for Vital Statistics in Tumwater, Washington. Vital Statistics (Tumwater office) can be reached by phone at (360)236-4313. Where can I get a letter of Single Status? You can order a letter of Single Status from the Center for Vital Statistics in Tumwater, WA. If you are divorced, you should order from the time of your divorce to the present. Vital Statistics (Tumwater office) can be reached by phone at (360)236-4313. Background Checks/Criminal History Record How do I obtain an Apostille/Certificate of Authentication on a Washington State Background Check/Criminal History Record? You will need to obtain a notarized clearance letter from Washington State Patrol. If the requesting country also asks for fingerprints or the background check was conducted based on fingerprints provided, please be sure to include fingerprint card with your notarized letter when sending to our office. For more information on Background checks, please visit the Washington State Patrol website or they can be reached by phone at (360)534-2000. How do I obtain an Apostille/Certificate of Authentication on my FBI Background Check? FBI Background Checks must be sent to the US Department of State in Washington DC. Our office does not have authority to Apostille or Authenticate Federal background checks. You can visit US Department of State website for more information. Washington State Business Entity Records How do I get my business entity documents Apostilled? (e.g. Profit or Nonprofit Corp, LLC, LP, etc.) If documents are on file with the Washington Secretary of State-Corporations Division, you will need to obtain Certified copies or Certificates from Corporations Division (Located in the same building as Apostilles). Previously issued documents that have already left our office are not acceptable. Corporation/ LLC documents needing Apostilles cannot be ordered online. Please send a written request indicating what type of records you will need and also indicate that you need them Apostille/Authenticated for what country you are dealing with. Be sure to also include the entity name, UBI number, and mailing and contact information. These documents are issued from two separate departments and fees for each department apply. Washington State High Schools Do my Washington State High School transcripts need to be notarized? Public High School Transcripts and Public Trade Schools do not need to be notarized. They must be Official Transcripts signed by the Principal, Vice Principal or Registrar (Superintendent or Asst. Superintendent of the school district is also acceptable). These signatures must be specifically requested by the school as transcripts are not often signed . We recommend opening the transcript if sealed to verify that it is signed by the Principal or Vice Principal. If transcript is not signed by Principal or Vice Principal, you will need to contact the school to obtain the appropriate signature on transcript. Does my High School diploma need to be notarized, or do you need my original diploma? Certified signed copies of diplomas, original diplomas, or diplomas signed by the Principal, Vice Principal, or Superintendent are acceptable. We do not recommend sending the original High School Diploma as typically schools will not recreate the diploma if needed. If the original diploma is required per the receiving country, we strongly suggest that documents are sent by a traceable mail source to and from our office (FedEx, UPS, Etc.). Washington State Colleges & Universities The Secretary of State can only process official transcripts from Washington State Schools/College/Universities. One exception are diplomas. We can process copies of out of state diplomas if the copy is notarized by a Washington Notary Public. Do my Washington State College or University transcripts need to be notarized? College and University transcripts do not need to be notarized. They must be Official Transcripts signed by the University or College Registrar (Assoc. Registrar and Interim Registrar are also acceptable). Does my College or University diploma need to be notarized? If you are sending your original diploma, notary is not required. Notarized copies of diplomas, or duplicate diplomas signed by the Registrar, President, or Vice President are acceptable. Private Schools/Colleges & Non-Washington Colleges/Universities We can process notarized copies of private schools, private colleges, and out of state school documents including transcripts, diplomas and letters of enrollment. The copy must be notarized by a Washington Notary Public Driver License/Identification: How do I get my Driver License Apostille/Authenticated? If you are currently in Washington State, you will need to get a copy of your Driver License notarized before requesting an Apostille/Certificate of Authentication. If you are not in Washington State and need your Washington State license Apostilled/Authenticated, you can obtain an Abstract Driving Record from Department of Licensing The abstract driving record will then need to be sent to our office for Apostille or Authentication. Please do not send us your original Driver License. How do I get my passport Apostille/Authenticated? You will need to get a copy of your passport notarized as a true and correct copy by a Washington State notary public. Personal Documents (Examples: Power of Attorney, Affidavits, Consents/Authorizations, etc.) How can I obtain an Apostille/Certificate of Authentication on my personal document? 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