Documents issued or notarized in South Carolina are apostilled by the Authentications, South Carolina Secretary of State's Office. The office authenticates the signatures of South Carolina public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and South Carolina-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues Apostilles for Hague countries and authentication certificates for non-Hague countries; destination country must be stated to determine which.
Where to file
| SC Secretary of State's Office, Attn: Authentications, 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525, Columbia, SC 29201 | |
| In person | 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525, Columbia, SC 29201 Hand delivery 8:30 am-4:30 pm; no appointment stated; same-day availability not published. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://sos.sc.gov/services-and-filings/apostilles |
How to get a South Carolina apostille
- Confirm the document is a South Carolina public document
The Authentications, South Carolina Secretary of State's Office authenticates signatures of South Carolina officials and South Carolina-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 SC Secretary of State's Office, Attn: Authentications, 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525, Columbia, SC 29201; in person at 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525, Columbia, SC 29201 (Hand delivery 8:30 am-4:30 pm; no appointment stated; same-day availability not published.). The fee is $5 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: Not published. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $5 per document. Personal or company check or money order payable to 'Secretary of State's Office', or cash. Credit cards not listed.
Processing time: Not published
Documents South Carolina will apostille
- Documents signed by elected/appointed officials or staff whose signatures are on file
- SC-notarized documents
- DPH vital records
- County probate court marriage licenses
- Clerk of Court divorce decrees
- School transcripts
- International adoption papers
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Photocopies of vital records
- Documents not destined for a foreign country
- Documents contrary to state or federal law, interest or policy
- Documents notarized outside South Carolina
Notarized documents
Only documents notarized by a commissioned South Carolina notary with complete notarial wording, seal and signature. Foreign-language documents must be notarized and accompanied by an English translation signed by the translator with that signature notarized.
South Carolina 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 only from SC DPH (formerly DHEC) Division of Vital Records; marriage licenses from county Probate Court or DPH; divorce decrees from County Clerk of Court or DPH. Photocopies not accepted. SC stopped issuing raised-seal vital records in 1999; current security-paper certificates are what is issued.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
South Carolina-specific points
- Cash is accepted, unusual among state offices.
- A dated cover letter form (AuthenticationCoverLetter2026) is required with every submission.
- South Carolina vital records have had no raised seal since 1999; do not expect or request one for apostille.
- The office may refuse documents it deems contrary to state or federal 'interest or policy'.
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
South Carolina does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina?
The Authentications, South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office charges $5 per document. Personal or company check or money order payable to ‘Secretary of State’s Office’, or cash. Credit cards not listed.
How long does a South Carolina apostille take?
Not published
Can I get an apostille in person in South Carolina?
Yes. Hand delivery 8:30 am-4:30 pm; no appointment stated; same-day availability not published.
Does South Carolina require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Authentications, South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office provided the notary is commissioned in South Carolina and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a South Carolina resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by South Carolina. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
