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Business Division > Apostilles Apostilles

What is an Apostille?

An "apostille" is a form of authentication issued for documents that will be used in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961. A list of countries that accept apostilles is provided by the U.S. State Department. If the country where the documents will be used does not participate in the Hague Convention, those documents can be "authenticated" or "certified."

The Office of the Secretary of State provides apostille and authentication service to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals for documents that will be used overseas. Types of documents which can be authenticated include corporate documents such as company bylaws and articles of incorporation; power of attorney; diplomas; transcripts; letters relating to degrees, marital status, references and job certifications; home studies; deeds of assignments; distributorship agreements; and papers for adoption purposes. The U.S. State Department provides general information about document authentications and apostilles under the Hague Convention of 1961.

Unlike most other states, there is no fee for the Apostille/Authentication service in Indiana.

Obtaining an Apostille or Authentication/Certification

IMPORTANT! Apostille certificates are issued by a state government only for documents which have been signed by a government official (or a Notary Public) of that same state. An Indiana apostille cannot for example, be assigned to a document signed by a government official in Kentucky. Such a document must be apostilled in Kentucky.

In order to obtain an apostille you must send the following information along with the document(s) to be authenticated:

  • An original signature;
  • An original signature and seal/stamp of a Indiana State Notary Public or records custodian; and
  • Cover Letter, which must include the following:
    • The name of the country where the documents will be sent. (Different countries require different certifications, and the documents cannot be certified without this information.);
    • A daytime phone number where the customer can be reached for questions; and
    • Information as to where the documents should be mailed after processing.
  • POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE FOR DOCUMENT RETURN
  • There are no fees for apostille services.

Vital Records Document

If the document is a vital records document (birth or death certificate) you must contact the State Department of Health and request a certified copy of that document. Then submit the document to the Secretary of State. Our office can not authenticate County issued vital records.
Directions to the State Department of Health If the document is a court issued document (marriage license or divorce decree), you must obtain a certified copy from the Circuit Court clerk in the county in which the document was recorded. After obtaining such document, please forward to the Secretary of State.

What is the Notary Responsibility?

Most documents will be notarized by an Indiana Notary Public . The Notary Public must list the following:

  1. Name exactly as listed on his/her Notary Commission Paper,
  2. Printed or typed name under signature
  3. Expiration date of notary commission
  4. County of residence
  5. Date notary is signing document to prove notary is active on date signed
  6. Notary Public Seal

Verify your Notary Information

Delivering Documents to the Secretary of State's Office

Mailing Address:


Indiana Secretary of State
Authentication Department
302 W. Washington Street, Room E-018
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Telephone:
(317) 232-2677


Note: Apostille requests should be mailed. For documents delivered in person, the office cannot guarantee a prompt turnaround due to high volume. To request more than fifteen (15) documents, please drop-off for the following turn-around times:

  • Received by noon will be completed by noon the following business day.
  • Filings received after noon will be completed by noon in two business days.