Document Authentication and Apostille

If you are travelling overseas, or sending documents for use in a foreign country, you may be required to have the documents certified by our office. Depending on the country requesting the certificate, that certification may be called an “Apostille” or a certificate of “Authentication”.

An “apostille” or a certificate of “authentication” is issued to certify an Arizona notary public, court clerk, or state document custodian to a foreign country. These certifications have been adopted internationally by the Hague Convention (PDF) as a uniform way of verifying documents sent between countries.

What to File

Documents to File: Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request (PDF) & original notarized or certified recorded document

Filing Fee: $3 per document.  Checks and money orders can be made out to, "Arizona Secretary of State." Please do not send cash by mail. We recommend paying with cash for in-person filings only.

Processing Time: 10 Business Days (by mail); in-person requests are processed immediately over the counter.

Filing Tips

• Submit these four items:
  1. We must receive an original notarized or certified recorded document. A photocopy is unacceptable.
  2. Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request form (PDF)
  3. $3 fee per document
  4. For all mailed requests, return postage is required. We recommend a service that can be tracked to ensure its return to you.
• Any requests going to Puerto Rico or any U.S. territory need a “notarial capacity certificate” and the requestor will pay an $18 fee.
• Don’t send documents recorded by another state. The state that produced the document needs to certify it (I.E. a birth certificate from Nevada needs to be certified by the Nevada Secretary of State’s office). Documents returned by other states will be returned to you.
• We do not issue electronic apostilles.  
• If you have any questions, please call us at 602-542-6187 or 1-800-458-5842 or email us.

Where to File

Filing By Mail

Secretary of State
Attn: Apostille Dept.
1700 W. Washington Street, Fl. 7
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2808

In-Person Filing - Phoenix Office

State Capitol Executive Tower
1700 W. Washington Street
Suite 220

In-Person Filing - Tucson Office

Arizona State Complex Building
400 West Congress
First Floor, Suite 141