Documents issued or notarized in District of Columbia are apostilled by the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA) (Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia). The office authenticates the signatures of District of Columbia public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and District of Columbia-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues Apostilles (Hague), Department Head Certificates, and Foreign Certificates for non-Hague countries that must then go to the US Department of State.
Where to file
| DC Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA), 899 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 8100, Washington, DC 20002 | |
| In person | 899 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 8100, Washington, DC 20002 Mon-Fri 9:00 AM-1:00 PM except holidays; no appointment; same-day for fewer than 10 documents, usually within 30 minutes; no ID required; third parties may submit |
| Online | Mail-in requests require submitting the online 'Mail In Service Request Notification Form' (Microsoft Forms) before mailing, plus the hard-copy request form with the documents |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://os.dc.gov/service/authentications |
How to get a District of Columbia apostille
- Confirm the document is a District of Columbia public document
The Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA) authenticates signatures of District of Columbia officials and District of Columbia-commissioned notaries only. Documents from other states go to their own state; federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Prepare the request
Complete the request form (official form), naming the destination country so the office issues an apostille (Hague country) or an authentication certificate (non-Hague country).
- Submit the document, fee and return envelope
Submit online — Mail-in requests require submitting the online 'Mail In Service Request Notification Form' (Microsoft Forms) before mailing, plus the hard-copy request form with the documents; by mail to DC Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA), 899 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 8100, Washington, DC 20002; in person at 899 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 8100, Washington, DC 20002 (Mon-Fri 9:00 AM-1:00 PM except holidays; no appointment; same-day for fewer than 10 documents, usually within 30 minutes; no ID required; third parties may submit). The fee is $15 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: Mail-in: within 5 business days of receipt of a complete request; walk-in: same day. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $15 per document. Credit card (AmEx, MasterCard, Visa), check or money order payable to 'DC Treasurer' drawn on a US bank for the exact amount; no cash
Processing time: Mail-in: within 5 business days of receipt of a complete request; walk-in: same day
Documents District of Columbia will apostille
- Documents notarized by a DC notary public
- Certified documents issued or signed by a DC government agency
- DC birth certificates
- DC Public Schools diplomas
- MPD police clearance (FL-20)
- DC Superior Court marriage certificates and divorce decrees
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Documents notarized outside DC
- Federal documents (FBI background checks, citizenship documents, passports, Consular Report of Birth Abroad)
- Documents issued in other jurisdictions
- Photocopies of out-of-state vital records
- Documents for use in Guam or Puerto Rico
Notarized documents
Only documents notarized by a DC-commissioned notary or certified by a DC agency department head are accepted; ONCA verifies only the notary/official's commission, not the content.
District of Columbia does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
DC-issued birth certificates certified by DC Vital Records are accepted and can be ordered sent directly to ONCA; photocopies of out-of-state birth, death or marriage certificates are not authenticated even if notarized; foreign birth/marriage certificates and passport copies can be authenticated if notarized by a DC notary.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
District of Columbia-specific points
- Walk-in window is only 9 AM-1 PM, and same-day service is capped at fewer than 10 documents.
- Mail-in requests must be pre-registered through an online Microsoft Form before the package is mailed or they will not be processed.
- ONCA's own guides list the address as both 'NE' and 'NW' North Capitol Street; the correct one is NE.
- Issues a 'Department Head Certificate' usable for both Hague and non-Hague destinations.
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
District of Columbia does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a District of Columbia resident is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — see the federal section. For destinations outside the Hague Convention, the District of Columbia authentication certificate must then be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State and legalized at the destination's embassy (how the chain works).
Frequently asked questions
How much does an apostille cost in District of Columbia?
The Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA) charges $15 per document. Credit card (AmEx, MasterCard, Visa), check or money order payable to ‘DC Treasurer’ drawn on a US bank for the exact amount; no cash
How long does a District of Columbia apostille take?
Mail-in: within 5 business days of receipt of a complete request; walk-in: same day
Can I get an apostille in person in District of Columbia?
Yes. Mon-Fri 9:00 AM-1:00 PM except holidays; no appointment; same-day for fewer than 10 documents, usually within 30 minutes; no ID required; third parties may submit
Does District of Columbia require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA) provided the notary is commissioned in District of Columbia and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a District of Columbia resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by District of Columbia. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
