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Apostille
Also known as Apostilla and Apostil
The following Information provided by:
LEX ADVISORS SC
San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
Most people within the USA probably have never even heard or know what an Apostille is. This is because Apostille are only for international verification of signature on your document. For use of your documents within the USA, an apostile is unnecessary and irrelevant.
It is also important to understand that an Apostille certificate is issued by the State government for documents that have been signed by an official of that State. For example: you cannot request a California Apostille of your document if your documents have been signed by a government official in Colorado. You would need to obtain an Apostille from the government of Colorado instead.
An Apostille is actually nothing more than the authentication of a public official’s signature. Once the signature is verified, an Apostille or Certification is placed on the document stating that the Notary's or official's signature has been authenticated.
Why would I need an Apostille?
An Apostille is generally needed to make the legalization process simpler. Many countries signed "The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents" in order to make the process easier and less complex. It allows members of this convention to use a standard form of verification, so-called Apostille, for public documents intended to be used abroad.
Documents issued in one country which need to be used in another country must be "authenticated" or "legalized" before they can be recognized as valid in the foreign country. This is a process in which various seals are placed on the document. Such documents range from powers of attorney, affidavits, birth, death and marriages records, incorporation papers, deeds, patent applications, home studies and other legal papers.
You can request an Apostille on nearly any official State-based document, created by or signed by an official of that State. Some documents may require more than a single step to acquire an Apostille. Below are some example documents, an (*) indicates additional steps may be required.
§ Birth Certificates*
§ Marriage Certificates*
§ Power of Attorney*
§ Certified copies of Articles of Incorporation, Partnerships, etc.
§ Court-issued documents
§ Death Certificates*
§ Notarized documents, signed by a State Notary*
Apostille on a Power of Attorney – If you desire an Apostille on a Power of Attorney, or an Affidavit, a Statement, a Declaration, or an Assignment, you will first need to prepare and complete the Power of Attorney, Declaration, etc. and then have the document signed in the presence of a Notary. (Next) You may need to obtain a “Notary Verification” which is a County government certification that the Notary you just went to is legitimate. The Notary Verification requires you physically bring a Notarized document to the offices of the County government where the Notary Public has been registered with. The County Clerk will check the records on file to ensure the Notary Public’s commission is still valid, and look if the signature matches the Notary’s sample on file with the government. A certificate of Verification will then be attached to the document by the County Clerk/employee.
Apostille on a Birth Certificate – If you desire an Apostille on a Birth Certificate, please be sure you have a most up-to-date version of the certificate to present. If your certificate is of the older type that is small, all white, or a “reverse x-ray photocopy style”, then you need to order a new certificate from your county recorder office before it can be accepted and Apostilled.
How do I get an Apostille?
This is literally a paper chase in which authorities will have to attest to the validity of a succession of seals beginning with your document and ending with the seal of the foreign embassy, Secretary of State or consulate in the United States.
There are numerous online sites, and you'll need to research each individually to determine their legitimacy and quality of service, but to begin your search, we suggest you start here, or contact the legal offices listed below for your state.
In regard to Power of Attorney, Mexico Advisor will provide you with a bilingual document that meets the requirements in order for the document to comply with your specific needs in Mexico. You will need to go before a Notary (most banks have one) and then go to or mail your document to the Secretary of State in order to validate the Notary is still in function and properly registered.
The following are some of the authorities that can issue an Apostille in both Mexico and the United States**:
Please consider that the fees we provide are an estimate.
Please call the local authorities to make sure the information we provided is still up to date.
United States (State Authentication Authorities)
Alabama Office of the Secretary of State Authentication Section
State Capitol, Room E-204 600 Dexter Ave. Montgomery, AL 36104
Ph: 334-242-7210
Fee: $5.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State
Alaska Notary Administrator Office of the Lieutenant Governor
P.O. Box 110015 Juneau, AK 99811
Ph: 907-465-3509
Fee: $2.00
Designated Authority: Lieutenant Governor; Attorney General; Clerk of the Supreme Court
Arizona Office of the Secretary of State Business Services Division, Notary Section
1700 W. Washington, 7th Floor Phoenix, AZ 85007
Ph: 602-542-4086 / 602 542-4758
Fee: $3.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Assistant Secretary of State.
Arkansas Office of Secretary of State Corporations Division
State Capitol Little Rock, AR 72201
Ph: 501-682-3409
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Chief Deputy Secretary of State.
California Office of the Secretary of State Business Programs Division Notary Public Section
P.O. Box 942877 Sacramento, CA 94277
Ph: 916-653-3595
Fee: $20.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; any Assistant Secretary of State; any Deputy Secretary of State.
Colorado Office of Secretary of State
560 Broadway, Suite 200 Denver, CO 80202
Ph: 303-894-2680
Fee: By Mail: $2.00 While You Wait: $17.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State.
Connecticut Office of the Secretary of State Authentication Unit
30 Trinity St. Hartford, CT 06106
Ph: 860-509-6135
Fee: $20.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State.
Delaware Office of Secretary of State Notary Division
401 Federal St., Suite 3 Dover, DE 19901
Ph: 302/739-4111
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Acting Secretary of State.
District of Columbia Office of the Secretary, D.C. Notary Commissions & Authentications Section
441 4th St. N.W. (One Judiciary Square) Washington, D.C.
Ph: 202-727-3117
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Executive Secretary; Assistant Executive Secretary; Mayor's Special Assistant and Assistant to the Executive Secretary; Secretary of the District of Columbia.
Florida Department of State Division of Corporations Apostille Certification
P.O. Box 6327 Tallahassee, FL 32314
Ph: 805-245-6945
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State Miami Regional Office, 401 N.W. Second Avenue, Suite 714-N, Miami, FL 33128, 305-377-5962
Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority Notary Division
1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30345
Ph: 404-327-6023
or
Office of Secretary of State Administrative Procedures Unit
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Suite 820 - West Tower Atlanta, GA 30334
Ph: 404-656-2885
Fee: $3.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.
Hawaii Office of the Lieutenant Governor
State Capitol, 5 th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813
Ph: 808-586-0255
Fee: $1.00
Designated Authority: Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawaii.
Idaho Office of Secretary of State Notary Department
Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720
Ph: 208-332-2810
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Chief Deputy Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State; Notary Public Clerk.
Illinois Office of the Secretary of State Index Department, Notaries Public Division
111 E. Monroe St. Springfield, IL 62756
Ph: 217-782-7017
Fee: $2.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Assistant Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State.
Indiana Office of Secretary of State
Statehouse Suite 201 Indianapolis, IN 46204
Ph: 317-232-6532
Fee: No Charge
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State
Iowa Office of Secretary of State
Lucas Building First Floor, Public Service Des Moines, IA 50319
Ph: 515-281-5204
Fee: $5.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State
Kansas Office of Secretary of State
State Capitol Second Floor Topeka, KS 66612
Ph: 913-296-2744
Fee: $5.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Assistant Secretary of State; any Deputy Assistant Secretary of State.
Kentucky Office of Secretary of State
Capitol Building P.O. Box 718 Frankfort, KY 40602
Ph: 502-564-7330
Fee: $5.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Assistant Secretary of State.
Louisiana Office of Secretary of State
P.O. Box 94125 Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Ph: 504-342-4981
Fee: $5.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State.
Maine Office of Secretary of State Bureau of Corporations Elections and Commissions
101 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333
Ph: 207-624-7650
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State.
Maryland Office of Secretary of State
Statehouse Annapolis, MD 21401
Ph: 410-974-5520
Fee: $5.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State.
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Commissions Section
McCormack Building, Room 1719 One Ashburton Place Boston, MA 02108
Ph: 617-727-2832
Fee: $3.00
Michigan Department of State Office of the Great Seal
7064 Crowner Boulevard Lansing, MI 48918
Ph: 517-373-253
Fee: $1.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State.
Minnesota Secretary of State's Office
180 State Office Bldg. St. Paul, MN 55155
Ph: 651-296-2803
Fee: $5.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State.
Mississippi Office of Secretary of State
P.O. Box 136 Jackson, MS 39205
Ph: 601-359-1615
Fee: $5.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; any Assistant Secretary of State.
Missouri Office of Secretary of State Commission Division
600 West Main, Room 367 Jefferson City, MO 65102
Ph: 573-751-2783
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State.
Montana Office of Secretary of State
Room 225 Box 202801 State Capitol Helena, MT 59602
Ph: 406-444-5379
Fee: $2.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Chief Deputy Secretary of State; Government Affairs Bureau Chief.
Nebraska Office of Secretary of State Notary Division
Box 95104 State Capitol Lincoln, NE 68509
Ph: 402-471-2558
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State.
Nevada Secretary of State
101 N. Carson Street, #3 Carson City, NV 89701
Ph: 775-684-5708
Fee: $20.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Chief Deputy Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State.
New Hampshire Office of Secretary of State
Statehouse Room 204 Concord, NH 03301
Ph: 603-271-3242
Fee: $5.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State
New Jersey Department of State Notary Public Unit Division of Commercial Recording
PO Box 452 Trenton, NJ 08625
Ph: 609-530-6421
Fee: Regular Service: $25.00 Expedited Service: $35.00
Designated Authority: NJ Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue
New Mexico Office of the Secretary of State State
Capitol North Annex, Suite 300 Santa Fe, NM 87503
Ph: 505-827-3600
Fee: $3.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State
New York
• Upstate Counties
Miscellaneous Records
162 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12231
Ph: 518-474-4770
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Executive Deputy Secretary of State; any Deputy Secretary of State; any Special Deputy Secretary of State.
• Down State Counties
New York authorities in Albany advise that documents issued in the nine down state counties are authenticated under the Convention by the New York City office. The nine down state counties are New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Richmond. The address of the New York Department of State, Certification Unit is 6th Floor, 270 Broadway, New York, New York 10007, Ph: 212-417-5684
Fee: $10.00
North Carolina Office of Secretary of State Authentication Division
PO Box 29622 Raleigh, NC 27626
Ph: 919-807-2140
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State
North Dakota Office of Secretary of State
Capitol Building 600 E Boulevard Ave., Dept 108 Bismarck, ND 58505
Ph: 701-328-2900
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State.
Ohio Office of the Secretary of State
30 East Broad St. 15th Fl. Columbus, OH 43266
Ph: 877-767-6446
Fee: $5.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Assistant Secretary of State.
Oklahoma Office of Secretary of State
2300 N. Lincoln Room 101 Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Ph: 405-521-4211
Fee: $25.00 (cashiers check or money order)
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Assistant Secretary of State; Budget Officer of the Secretary of State.
Oregon Office of Secretary of State
255 Capitol St. Suite 151 Salem OR 97310
Ph: 503-986-2200
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State; Acting Secretary of State; Assistant to the Secretary of State.
Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Commissions Elections and Legislation
North Office Building Room 304 Harrisburg, PA 17120
Ph: 717-787-5280
Fee: $15.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of the Commonwealth; Executive Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Rhode Island Office of Secretary of State Notary Division
100 N. Main St. Providence, RI 02903
Ph: 401-277-1487
Fee: $5.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; First Deputy Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State
South Carolina Office of Secretary of State
P.O. Box 11350 Columbia, SC 29211
Ph: 803-734-2119
Fee: $2.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State
South Dakota Office of Secretary of State
500 East Capitol Pierre, SD 57501
Ph: 605-773-5004
Fee: $2.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State
Tennessee Office of Secretary of State James K. Polk Building Division of Business Services
312 Eighth Avenue North 6th Floor, William R. Snodgrass Tower Nashville, TN 37243
Ph: 615-741-3699
Fee: $2.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State.
Texas Office of Secretary of State
P.O. Box 12079 Austin, TX 78711
Ph: 512-463-5705
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Assistant Secretary of State
Utah Office of the Lieutenant Governor
210 State Capitol Salt Lake City, UT 84145
Ph: 801-538-1040
Fee: Certifying Notary's Seal: $10.00, Apostille: $5.00
Designated Authority: Lieutenant Governor; Deputy Lieutenant Governor; Administrative Assistant.
Vermont Office of Secretary of State
109 State St. Montpelier, VT 05609
Ph: 802-828-2308
Fee: $2.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State.
Virginia Office of Secretary of Commonwealth Authentications Division
830 East Main Street, 14th Floor Richmond, VA 23219
Ph: 804-786-2441
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of the Commonwealth; Chief Clerk, Office of the Secretary of Commonwealth.
Washington Office of the Secretary of State Corporations Division Apostille and Certificate Program
PO Box 40228 Olympia, WA 98504
Ph: 360-586-2268
Fee: $15.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Assistant Secretary of State; Director, Department of Licensing.
West Virginia Office of Secretary of State
Capitol Building 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East No. 157-K Charleston, WV 25305
Ph: 304-558-6000
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Under Secretary of State; any Deputy Secretary of State.
Wisconsin Office of Secretary of State
P.O. Box 7848 Madison, WI 53707-7848
Ph: 608-266-3159
Fee: $10.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Assistant Secretary of State.
Wyoming Office of Secretary of State
The Capitol Cheyenne, WY 82002
Ph: 307-777-5342
Fee: $3.00
Designated Authority: Secretary of State; Deputy Secretary of State.
American Samoa Office of the Governor
Pago Pago, AS 96799
Ph: 011-684-633-4116
Designated Authority: Secretary of American Samoa; Attorney General of American Samoa.
Guam (Territory of) Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 2950 Agana, GU 96910
Ph: 011-671-472-1537
Designated Authority: Department of Administration
Northern Mariana Islands (Commonwealth of the)
Designated Authority: Attorney General; Acting Attorney General; Clerk of the Court, Commonwealth Trial Court; Deputy Clerk, Commonwealth Trial Court
Puerto Rico (Commonwealth of) Supreme Court of Puerto Rico Office of Notarial Inspection
P.O. Box 190860 San Juan, PR 00919
Ph: 787-763-8816
Designated Authority: Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands Office of the Lieutenant Governor
7 & 8 King St. Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI 00802
Ph: 340-774-2991
No authority designated: refer requests to the U.S. Department of State, Authentications Office, 2400 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20520. 202-647-5002
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