Documents issued or notarized in Oklahoma are apostilled by the Certification Department, Oklahoma Secretary of State. The office authenticates the signatures of Oklahoma public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Oklahoma-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues an Apostille for Hague countries and a 'Certificate of Signature' for non-Hague countries.
Where to file
| Oklahoma Secretary of State, Certification Department, 421 NW 13th St, Suite 210, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 | |
| In person | 421 NW 13th St, Suite 210, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm; arrive by 4:30 pm for same-day processing. No appointment stated. |
| Official page | https://www.sos.ok.gov/business/apostilles.aspx |
How to get a Oklahoma apostille
- Confirm the document is a Oklahoma public document
The Certification Department, Oklahoma Secretary of State authenticates signatures of Oklahoma officials and Oklahoma-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, 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 Oklahoma Secretary of State, Certification Department, 421 NW 13th St, Suite 210, Oklahoma City, OK 73103; in person at 421 NW 13th St, Suite 210, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 (Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm; arrive by 4:30 pm for same-day processing. No appointment stated.). The fee is $25 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: Not published; walk-ins by 4:30 pm processed same day.. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $25 per document. $25 per notarial act or certified document; $10 for foreign adoptions to Hague countries; $20 for a Certificate of Signature (non-Hague). Cash, cashier's check, money order, MasterCard/Discover/Visa (4% statutory card surcharge). Personal checks not accepted.
Processing time: Not published; walk-ins by 4:30 pm processed same day.
Documents Oklahoma will apostille
- Notarized originals
- Certified copies from Oklahoma court clerks
- State Registrar vital records
- Marriage licenses and divorce decrees (certified within 1 year)
- Documents issued by other Oklahoma agencies
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Court-certified documents older than one year
- Personal checks as payment
- Documents from other states
Notarized documents
Apostille verifies the Oklahoma notary's current commission and bond on file with the Secretary of State. Mailed requests need a cover letter stating destination country, return address and phone.
Oklahoma 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 certificates from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (405-271-5615). Marriage licenses, divorce decrees and any court-certified document must be dated within one year of submission; obtain fresh certified copies from the county Court Clerk.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Oklahoma-specific points
- Highest fee in this group at $25, with a 4% surcharge on card payments and no personal checks.
- Court-certified documents (marriage, divorce, judgments) must be dated within one year of submission.
- Reduced $10 fee applies only to foreign adoptions in Hague countries.
- Office moved to 421 NW 13th St, Suite 210; older guides still list 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Oklahoma does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma?
The Certification Department, Oklahoma Secretary of State charges $25 per document. $25 per notarial act or certified document; $10 for foreign adoptions to Hague countries; $20 for a Certificate of Signature (non-Hague). Cash, cashier’s check, money order, MasterCard/Discover/Visa (4% statutory card surcharge). Personal checks not accepted.
How long does a Oklahoma apostille take?
Not published; walk-ins by 4:30 pm processed same day.
Can I get an apostille in person in Oklahoma?
Yes. Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm; arrive by 4:30 pm for same-day processing. No appointment stated.
Does Oklahoma require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Certification Department, Oklahoma Secretary of State provided the notary is commissioned in Oklahoma and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Oklahoma resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Oklahoma. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
