How to Get an Authentication (or Apostille)

The Secretary of State is proud to announce the adoption of the Model Apostille Certificate of the Hague Conference on Private International Law. Beginning January 25, 2012, apostille and authentication requests will be processed according to the national Uniform Apostille Standards, using the model certificate format.
For more information and an example, click here.

When a document is to go to a foreign country, it is often necessary to have the notarization or official certification authenticated.  Some countries call this an apostille. The Oregon Secretary of State can certify to Oregon notaries public and the State Registrar for vital records (Oregon Center for Health Statistics). The procedures are outlined below. It normally takes 2 to 3 days to process a request. If you need an apostille or authentication certificate for a county document, please call our office, (503) 986-2593, before sending it in. Most county records cannot be authenticated.

Apostille or authentication for: notarization, vital record (birth/death certificate), or diploma/transcripts.

Authenticating an Oregon Notarization

The procedure is simple. Send the original, notarized document to us, or bring it in to our office in Salem. We will charge $10 for each apostille; you will need a different apostille or authentication for each notarized document. If you bring it in, we will do the apostille/authentication while you wait (normally less than 20 minutes for each document).

Download the Request for Authentication Form PDF

Authenticating a Vital Record

When you need a vital record (birth/death certificate, marriage or dissolution of marriage certificate, etc.) authenticated, you should first get a certified copy of the record from the Oregon Center for Health Statistics. A certified copy of a county record is not appropriate and should not be sent to us. Only the Oregon Center for Health Statistics can issue a true, current vital record.

Then, you must send the certified copy to us, or bring it in to our office in Salem. We will charge $10 for each apostille; you will need a different apostille or authentication for each document. If you bring it in, we will do the apostille/authentication while you wait (normally less than 20 minutes).

Download the Request for Authentication Form PDF

Authenticating a Transcript or Diploma

When you need an Oregon high school or college transcript or diploma authenticated, you must have the person in charge of the records (normally the Registrar) sign on the record a statement certifying to its authenticity.

Send the original, notarized document to us, or bring it in to our office in Salem. We will charge $10 for each apostille; you will need a different apostille or authentication for each notarized document. If you bring it in, we will do the apostille/authentication while you wait (normally less than 20 minutes).

Download the Request for Authentication Form PDF

How to send us your request