Apostille Authentication
What is an Apostille?
An Apostille is a certificate that authenticates the signature of a public official or a notary public on a document for use in another country. An Apostille certifies:
- the authenticity of the signature of the public official who signed the document,
- the capacity in which that public official acted, and
- when appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp which the document bears, e.g., a notary public seal.
The Apostille does not validate the contents of the document.
Apostille, from the French, is pronounced: “Ah-pos-TEE”
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The Minnesota certified documents and/or documents notarized by a Minnesota Notary Public must be presented at your appointment.
Note: We do not provide notarization services.
You can schedule an appointment via Microsoft Bookings: Book an Appointment
Note: Appointments become available fourteen days in advance.
Fees and Acceptable Payment:
The office charges a $5.00 fee for each apostille certificate.
Acceptable Payment: Credit card, debit card, cash, check or money order.
Appointments are conducted at:
Minnesota Secretary of State
First National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street, Suite N201
Saint Paul, MN 55101
If sending your request by mail, you must include the Minnesota certified documents and/or documents notarized by a Minnesota Notary Public, the applicable fee, and the completed Authentication Request Form.
Documents are returned to the address listed on the Authentication Request Form unless you provide specific instructions to be mailed to a different address or provide a returned envelope.
Note: You may enclose a prepaid FedEx, USPS Priority Mail or UPS label if you wish to use a mail tracking service. If you do not provide a prepaid service, our office will mail your document(s) by U.S. Postal Service regular mail at no charge with no tracking service.
Fees and Acceptable Payment:
The office charges a $5.00 fee for each apostille certificate.
Acceptable Payment: Check or money order made out to MN Secretary of State
Mailing Address:
Minnesota Secretary of State
First National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street, Suite N201
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Original documents that are certified do not need notarization. These types of documents include:
- Birth certificates and Death certificates are certified by the Minnesota Department of Health. If you need to obtain a certified copy of a birth or death certificate from Minnesota, you may contact The Office of Vital Records at the Minnesota Department of Health.
- Marriage certificate or licenses certified by Minnesota county. Marriage records are on file at the county office where the marriage license was issued. If you need to obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate from Minnesota, you may contact the county that it was filed in, or check with The Office of Vital Records at the Minnesota Department of Health.
- Certified copies of divorce decree, and judgments. These certified copies can be obtained from the county where the proceedings took place. These certified copies can be obtained from The Office of Vital Records at the Minnesota Department of Health.
- Certified copies of business organization documents on file with the Minnesota Secretary of State. These certified copies can be obtained here.
Documents that require proper notarization from a Minnesota Notary Public. These types of documents include:
- Personal documents (E.g., Adoption papers, Affidavits, Power of Attorney, etc.…)
Personal documents must be notarized by a Minnesota Notary Public.
- Transcripts from Minnesota State College/University/Schools K-12
Transcripts with the signature of a school official and the school seal applied by the school registrar are not acceptable. Transcripts must be notarized by a Minnesota Notary Public.
NOTE: If the transcripts are presented in a sealed envelope by the school, the Minnesota Secretary of State must open the envelope to view the notarization on the transcript.
- Diplomas from Minnesota State College/University/Schools K-12
Diplomas with the signature of a school official and the school seal applied by the school registrar are not acceptable. Diplomas must be notarized by a Minnesota Notary Public.
NOTE: You must check with the receiving country to determine if the diploma must be the original or if a photocopy is acceptable. The original and/or photocopy must be properly notarized.
To reduce the chances of notarized documents being rejected, the following are the requirements for obtaining proper notarization.
- Proper notarization. In accordance with Minnesota Statute 358.65 (link), the Certificate of Notarial Act (notarization) must be in English, and must be present on the document or attached to the document, and include the following:
- Jurisdiction where the notarization took place (e.g., County of Ramsey, State of Minnesota)
- An acknowledgment/notarial statement (e.g., witnessed a signature, true and correct copy, an oath, etc.)
- Title (e.g., must be stated as Notary Public)
- Date the document was notarized
- Notary public’s signature
- Notary public’s stamp
Printable examples of Certificate of Notarial Act (notarization) are provided below:
- Valid Minnesota Notary Commission/ Notary Stamp. The Notary Public must have the following conditions to have the authority to notarize your document:
- Must be in Active status at the time of notarization.
- The notary's name as it appears on the notary stamp must match the name on the notary's commission.
- The expiration date on the notary stamp must match the expiration date on the notary’s commission. Exception: A notary stamp may continue to be used until the date of expiration, even though the notary may have successfully renewed for an additional five-year term.
To determine if the Notary is active and how their name and expiration date are registered search the notary database. If you are unsure, please contact us at apostille.oss@state.mn.us
Please Note: This is not a complete list of documents that can be Apostille. See Apostille Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.
Apostille Frequently Asked Questions
IN-PERSON APOSTILLE APPOINTMENTS
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD
MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOLS, COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES/MINNESOTA SCHOOL DOCUMENTS
DRIVER LICENSES/IDENTIFICATION
MINNESOTA STATE BUSINESS ENTITY RECORDS
Q: What is an apostille and what is its purpose?
A: An Apostille is a certificate that authenticates the signature of a public official or a notary public on a document for use in another country. An Apostille certifies:
- the authenticity of the signature of the public official who signed the document,
- the capacity in which that public official acted, and
- when appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp which the document bears, e.g., a notary public seal.
The Apostille does not validate the contents of the document.
Q: Why do I need an apostille?
A: You will need an apostille if the country in which the document is to be used requires an Apostille. You must check with the receiving country for their requirements.
Q: How is an apostille issued?
A: The apostille is a black and white certificate that is stamped and stapled to your document.
The apostille certificate has an element of added security by providing a method on our website to confirm the issuance of the authentication certificate by our office. Each certificate has a unique file number and date the authentication certificate was issued. To verify the issuance of an Apostille that was issued May 15, 2018, or later, go to apostille.sos.state.mn.us.
Q: Does the Minnesota Secretary of State issue an Apostille or Authentication Certificate?
A: Effective May 15, 2018, the Minnesota Secretary of State issues a single Apostille for documents to be used outside of the United States, regardless of the country of destination.
Q: Does the Minnesota Secretary of State provide notarial services?
A: No. If notarial services are needed, you should have the document notarized before submitting your Apostille request to the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Q: My apostille request is urgent, but I am not able to come in person. What are my options?
A: Documents are processed in the order that they are received in our office.
If your Apostille request is urgent but you or someone on your behalf cannot come in person, you may wish to mail your documents overnight via a service such as FedEx, UPS, USPS, or DHL and include a prepaid overnight label to return your documents after processing.
*Please note that this does not expedite the processing of your documents. It does expedite the time it takes for you to receive your documents once they are processed.
Q: My apostille request is urgent, but appointments are booked out. What are my options?
A: Please send your urgent request via email to apostille.oss@state.mn.us.
IN-PERSON APOSTILLE APPOINTMENTS
Q: Do you allow walk-ins?
A: No. You may schedule an appointment here or call our office at 651-296-2803, option 2.
For more information on the appointments we offer, click here.
Q: Do you have a public restroom?
A: No. Our office is in the First National Bank Building, and this building does not have public restrooms.
Q: Who can request an apostille in person?
A: Any individual can request an Apostille. The requestor does not have to be the person on the authentication request form or on the documents being submitted.
Q: How do I schedule an appointment?
A: To schedule an appointment, click here or call our office at 651-296-2803, option 2.
For more information on the appointments we offer, click here.
Q: How do I book an appointment for next month?
A: Appointments become available fourteen days in advance.
Q: I have more than 10 documents, how do I schedule an appointment?
A: For requests with more than ten documents, please contact our office to make special arrangements at apostille.oss@state.mn.us.
Q: How do I cancel an appointment?
A: If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, that can be done from the 'Confirmed booking for' email received when the appointment was booked.
If you cannot locate your confirmation email, please contact us at apostille.oss@state.mn.us.
Q: Do you have parking?
A: The parking options are outlined below:
- Ramp: First National Bank Building parking ramp. The entrance is on Fifth Street East. There is a fee for the parking ramp. Park on the first level and take the elevator to the skyway level. When you exit the elevator, our office will be located right across.
- Street Parking: There is metered parking located on Minnesota St.
- Light rail: The building is one block from the Green Line - Central stop
- Bus: One block from Stop 2611- Minnesota St & 4th St.
Q: I mailed in my documents; how do I check on the status?
A: You may contact us at apostille.oss@state.mn.us or call our office at 651-296-2803, option 2.
If the documents were submitted by check or money order, please provide the check number and/or money order number.
Q: I am sending my documents to a country that is not part of the Hague Convention, how will it be authenticated?
A: The Minnesota Secretary of State issues a single Apostille for documents to be used outside of the United States, regardless of the Hague Convention.
If you are unsure, you should contact the Embassy or a Consulate of the country where you intend to use the document to find out what your options are.
Q: How do I obtain an apostille on my birth certificate?
A: If it is a Minnesota birth certificate, you will need to send a certified birth certificate. If the birth certificate was issued from another state, you will need to obtain the Apostille from the state of issuance.
Q: Where can I order a Minnesota-certified birth certificate?
A: Please contact The Office of Vital Records at the Minnesota Department of Health.
Q: How do I get an apostille on my “long-form” birth certificate?
A: The State of Minnesota no longer issues long-form birth certificates see here.
The MN Department of Health provides a certified birth certificate, a noncertified birth record, and a long-form birth certificate policy memo.
*** Note: The three documents cannot be presented as one document. The certified birth certificate must be presented as one document. The noncertified birth record and long-form birth certificate policy memo must be properly notarized by a Minnesota Notary Public and then presented for apostille.
Q: Where can I order a Minnesota-certified death certificate?
A: Please contact The Office of Vital Records at the Minnesota Department of Health.
Q: How do I obtain an apostille on a death certificate?
A: If it is a Minnesota death certificate, you will need to send a certified death certificate. If the death certificate was issued from another state, you will need to contact the state of issuance.
Q: How do I obtain an apostille for a Marriage Certificate?
A: You will need to send a certified Minnesota marriage certificate. If you do not have a certified copy, you may order one through the county that it was filed in.
More information is available from the Office of Vital Records at the Minnesota Department of Health.
Q: I have a keepsake souvenir Minnesota marriage certificate; can I send it in for apostille?
A: No, an apostille can only be issued to a certified Minnesota marriage certificate. You will need to send a certified Minnesota marriage certificate. If you do not have a certified copy, you may order one through the county that it was filed in.
More information is available from the Office of Vital Records at the Minnesota Department of Health.
Q: Does the Minnesota Secretary of State provide translation services for these state-issued certificates (e.g., birth/death/marriage certificate)?
A: No. If a translation is required, you must seek this service outside our office.
Q: How do I obtain an apostille on my translated birth/death/marriage certificate?
A: The translated document must be properly notarized by a Minnesota notary public. The notarization must be in English for our office to issue the apostille on the translated document. The rest of the document can be in any other language.
NOTE: The translated document will be apostille separately. For example, a certified MN birth certificate and a properly notarized translated birth certificate cannot be presented as one document; the documents will be treated as two separate documents and each document will receive its own apostille certificate.
Q: Where can I get a letter of Single Status? How do I obtain an apostille on a letter of Single Status?
A: A letter of Single Status/Single Status Affidavit is also often called a Certificate of No Record of Marriage. These can generally be obtained from your local county. Otherwise, you can find online samples of Single Status Affidavits which can be completed by you and notarized by a MN Notary Public.
*Please note if you obtain a Verification of No Marriage Record from Hennepin County specifically, this county has confirmed they do not certify this type of document. Therefore, it would need to be properly notarized by a Minnesota Notary Public before it can be apostilled.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD:
Q: How do I obtain an apostille on a Minnesota State Background Check/Criminal History Record?
A: You will need to obtain a notarized letter from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. For more information on Background checks, please visit the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension website.
Q: How do I obtain an apostille on my FBI Background Check?
A: FBI Background Checks must be sent to the US Department of State in Washington DC. Our office does not have the authority to Apostille a federal background check. You can visit the US Department of State website for more information.
Q: Does my Minnesota high school transcript need to be notarized?
A: High school transcripts must be properly notarized by a Minnesota Notary Public.
Q: Does my Minnesota high school diploma need to be notarized?
A: Diplomas (original or photocopies) must be properly notarized by a Minnesota Notary Public.
Note: You must check with the receiving country to determine if the diploma must be the original or if a photocopy is acceptable.
Q: Does my Minnesota college or university transcript need to be notarized?
A: College/university transcripts must be properly notarized by a Minnesota Notary Public.
Q: Does my Minnesota college or university diploma need to be notarized?
A: College/university diplomas (original or photocopies) must be properly notarized by a Minnesota Notary Public.
Note: You must check with the receiving country to determine if the diploma must be the original or if a photocopy is acceptable.
Q: How do I obtain an apostille for my out-of-state school documents?
A: You will need to contact the state of issuance for their apostille/authentication process.
DRIVER LICENSES/IDENTIFICATION:
Q: How do I apostille my Driver's License/Identification Card?
A: You will need to get a photocopy of your Minnesota’s Driver License / Identification card notarized as a true and correct copy by a Minnesota Notary Public. Please do not send us your original Driver's License / Identification card.
Q: How do I apostille my Passport?
A: You will need to get a photocopy of your passport notarized as a true and correct copy by a Minnesota Notary Public. Please do not send us your original passport.
Q: How can I obtain an apostille on my personal document (Examples: Power of Attorney, Affidavits, Consents, etc.)?
A: You will need to get your personal document properly notarized by a Minnesota Notary Public.
Q: How do I know if my document has been notarized correctly?
A: Under MS 358.65, the Minnesota Notary Public must state the following items when notarizing a document:
- jurisdiction (e.g., State of Minnesota, County of Ramsey)
- an acknowledgment statement
- title (e.g., Notary Public)
- the date of notarization
- an original wet signature
- notary stamp
See the Types of Documents page for more specific templates.
Q: Can the Minnesota Secretary of State issue an Apostille for a document in a language other than English?
A: Yes. If the notarization of the document is in English, the Minnesota Secretary of State can issue an Apostille. The rest of the document can be in any other language.
Q: Can your office notarize my documents?
A: The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State does not provide notarization services. To search for a Minnesota notary public, click here.
Q: Do you accept remote or electronic notarization?
A: No. The Minnesota Secretary of State views a printed notarized document signed electronically by a Minnesota Notary Public as a copy of the original document, therefore the copy is not a public document and will need to be appropriately notarized before an Apostille is issued.
MINNESOTA BUSINESS ENTITY RECORDS:
Q: How do I apostille my Minnesota business entity documents?
A: If the Minnesota business entity is registered with our office you must order a certified copy. There are two options outlined below:
- Option 1: Order the certified copies directly online. Instructions are here.
Certified copies will be emailed to you. Once received, you must print off all filings and certified pages (Certification of Record) and mail them to our office with the Authentication Request Form and appropriate apostille fees.
- Option 2: Complete the Business Copy Request Form and Authentication Request Form and mail the forms to our office with the appropriate copy and apostille fees.
Q: How do I apostille my Certificate of Good Standing/Certificate of Existence?
A: If the Minnesota business entity registered with our office is Active and In Good Standing, there are two options outlined below:
- Option 1: Order the Certificate of Good Standing/Certificate of Existence directly online. Instructions are here.
The certificate will be emailed to you. Once received, you must print off the certificate and mail it to our office with the Authentication Request Form and appropriate apostille fees.
- Option 2: Complete the Business Copy Request Form and Authentication Request Form and mail the forms to our office with the appropriate certificate and apostille fees.