Documents issued or notarized in Washington are apostilled by the Apostille and Certificate Program, Corporations & Charities Division (Washington Secretary of State). The office authenticates the signatures of Washington public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Washington-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues a single combined 'universal certificate' that serves as apostille or certificate of authentication depending on destination.
Where to file
| Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division, PO Box 40234, Olympia, WA 98504-0234 | |
| In person | Tumwater: 243 Israel Rd SE, Tumwater, WA 98501; Cheney (Eastern branch): 960 Washington St, Cheney, WA 99004 Tumwater Mon-Thu 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, Fri 8:00-3:00; Cheney Mon-Wed and Fri 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, closed Thu. Same-day documents must be received 30 minutes before closing. Same-day in-person carries a $150 fee per 10 documents. Cheney cannot receive mail. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities/apostilles-program/how-obtain-apostille-or-certificate-authentication |
How to get a Washington apostille
- Confirm the document is a Washington public document
The Apostille and Certificate Program, Corporations & Charities Division authenticates signatures of Washington officials and Washington-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 Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division, PO Box 40234, Olympia, WA 98504-0234; in person at Tumwater: 243 Israel Rd SE, Tumwater, WA 98501; Cheney (Eastern branch): 960 Washington St, Cheney, WA 99004 (Tumwater Mon-Thu 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, Fri 8:00-3:00; Cheney Mon-Wed and Fri 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, closed Thu. Same-day documents must be received 30 minutes before closing. Same-day in-person carries a $150 fee per 10 documents. Cheney cannot receive mail.). The fee is $15 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: Standard: 7-10 business days; expedited: 2-3 business days; same-day in person while you wait. Expedited: $100 per 10 documents for 2-3 business day processing; $150 same-day in person at Tumwater or Cheney. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $15 per document. Expedited: +$100 per 10 documents. Same-day in-person: +$150 for first 10 documents, +$100 per additional 10. Check or money order in US dollars payable to Secretary of State.
Processing time: Standard: 7-10 business days; expedited: 2-3 business days; same-day in person while you wait
Expedited: $100 per 10 documents for 2-3 business day processing; $150 same-day in person at Tumwater or Cheney
Documents Washington will apostille
- WA vital records and letters of single status
- Certified Washington court documents
- WA-notarized personal documents (POA, affidavits, consents)
- Official WA public school and university transcripts and diplomas
- Washington State Patrol notarized background clearance letters
- Certified business entity records from the Corporations Division
- Notarized copies of passports and driver licenses; DOL driving abstracts under 30 days old
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Federal documents, FBI checks, certificates of naturalization
- Documents notarized by US military notaries
- Documents on allegiance, renunciation of citizenship or claims of immunity (RCW 43.07.032)
- Stapled notary certificates or notarized documents lacking a certificate
- Photocopies of public school transcripts; original driver licenses
- Out-of-state vital records
Notarized documents
Washington notary with full notarial certificate per RCW 42.45.130: signed and printed name, 'Notary Public' title, commission expiration, date, act performed in English, state and county. Signature and stamp names must match the DOL license directory. Certificate may be attached but not stapled.
Washington does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Only original unaltered or certified copies of WA birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates and letters of single status; from county auditor or Center for Vital Statistics in Tumwater. No stated age limit.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Washington-specific points
- Same-day in-person service costs $150 on top of the $15 fee, even for one document
- Cheney branch in Eastern Washington offers same-day apostilles but cannot accept mail
- Notary certificate must not be stapled to the document
- Driving abstracts are only accepted if issued within 30 days
- Corporation and LLC apostille orders cannot be placed through the online filing system
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Washington does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington?
The Apostille and Certificate Program, Corporations & Charities Division charges $15 per document. Expedited: +$100 per 10 documents. Same-day in-person: +$150 for first 10 documents, +$100 per additional 10. Check or money order in US dollars payable to Secretary of State.
How long does a Washington apostille take?
Standard: 7-10 business days; expedited: 2-3 business days; same-day in person while you wait Expedited option: $100 per 10 documents for 2-3 business day processing; $150 same-day in person at Tumwater or Cheney.
Can I get an apostille in person in Washington?
Yes. Tumwater Mon-Thu 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, Fri 8:00-3:00; Cheney Mon-Wed and Fri 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, closed Thu. Same-day documents must be received 30 minutes before closing. Same-day in-person carries a $150 fee per 10 documents. Cheney cannot receive mail.
Does Washington require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Apostille and Certificate Program, Corporations & Charities Division provided the notary is commissioned in Washington and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Washington resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Washington. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
