Documents issued or notarized in Ohio are apostilled by the Client Service Center, Records and Client Services, Ohio Secretary of State. The office authenticates the signatures of Ohio public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Ohio-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues Apostilles (Hague) and Certificates of Authentication (non-Hague).
Where to file
| Ohio Secretary of State, Client Service Center, 180 Civic Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43215-4138 | |
| In person | 180 Civic Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43215 Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm; in-person requests are typically handled while you wait. Secondary sources report same-day service required an appointment as of mid-2026. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://www.ohiosos.gov/records/apostilles-certifications/ |
How to get a Ohio apostille
- Confirm the document is a Ohio public document
The Client Service Center, Records and Client Services, Ohio Secretary of State authenticates signatures of Ohio officials and Ohio-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 by mail to Ohio Secretary of State, Client Service Center, 180 Civic Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43215-4138; in person at 180 Civic Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43215 (Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm; in-person requests are typically handled while you wait. Secondary sources report same-day service required an appointment as of mid-2026.). The fee is $5 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: About 2-3 business days for mailed requests plus mailing time (secondary sources). Expedited: No expedited service; include a prepaid return envelope or UPS/FedEx airbill.. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $5 per document. Check or money order payable to 'Ohio Secretary of State' (Form 8003 also allows a credit card authorization). Certified copies of business filings are a separate fee paid separately.
Processing time: About 2-3 business days for mailed requests plus mailing time (secondary sources)
Expedited: No expedited service; include a prepaid return envelope or UPS/FedEx airbill.
Documents Ohio will apostille
- Ohio Department of Health birth and death certificates
- County probate court marriage records
- Divorce decrees, probated wills, court judgments (Clerk of Court certified)
- Ohio-notarized documents
- Notarized school records
- Business entity documents on file with the Secretary of State
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- FBI background checks and federal records
- Documents notarized outside Ohio
- Records certified by another state's officials
- Documents destined for use within the United States
- Copies signed by a deputy rather than the office holder
Notarized documents
Only documents notarized by an Ohio-commissioned notary; out-of-state or foreign notarizations are refused. School records must be notarized before submission. Translations must be notarized by an Ohio notary.
Ohio does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Birth and death certificates certified by the Ohio Department of Health (local health district copies accepted only if the signer's signature is on file). Marriage records certified by the county probate court; divorce decrees by the county Clerk of Court.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Ohio-specific points
- Among the cheapest in the US at $5 per document.
- Only the office holder's own signature is authenticated; deputy-signed certified copies are a common rejection.
- Request uses Form 8003; office-holder signatures are registered with the state via Form 8006.
- Official ohiosos.gov pages were unreachable this session; facts corroborated across several secondary sources and should be re-verified on the official site.
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Ohio does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio?
The Client Service Center, Records and Client Services, Ohio Secretary of State charges $5 per document. Check or money order payable to ‘Ohio Secretary of State’ (Form 8003 also allows a credit card authorization). Certified copies of business filings are a separate fee paid separately.
How long does a Ohio apostille take?
About 2-3 business days for mailed requests plus mailing time (secondary sources) Expedited option: No expedited service; include a prepaid return envelope or UPS/FedEx airbill..
Can I get an apostille in person in Ohio?
Yes. Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm; in-person requests are typically handled while you wait. Secondary sources report same-day service required an appointment as of mid-2026.
Does Ohio require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Client Service Center, Records and Client Services, Ohio Secretary of State provided the notary is commissioned in Ohio and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Ohio resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Ohio. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
