Wisconsin Secretary of State
Apostille & Authentication Certificate Ordering Information
The Office of the Secretary of State of Wisconsin provides apostille
and authentication certificates for Wisconsin documents – that is,
documents notarized by Wisconsin Notaries, or certified by various
Wisconsin public officials. If your documents were notarized in or
certified by a different state, you need to contact that state for apostille and authentication services.
TO ORDER: Using the "Apostille & Authentication Certificate Order
Form", follow these seven steps:
STEP 1 Print the name, address, and telephone number of the person
who is completing the order form. This is the person we will contact
if we have questions regarding your order.
STEP 2 Print the name of the country or consulate that is requiring
you to get apostille/authentication certificates for your documents.
You will need to complete a separate order form for each country.
STEP 3 Complete this step ONLY if the country you listed in Step 2
is Argentina or Venezuela. If you listed any other country, skip
Step 3 and go to Step 4.
STEP 4 Complete this step ONLY if your document was signed by a
Wisconsin Notary Public. (If a different public officer, like a
Register of Deeds, school official, or judge signed your document,
skip step 4 and go directly to Step 5.) Print the notary public’s
name, expiration date, and the date the notarization took place.
Then indicate the number of certificates you want to order.
The cost is $10.00 for each certificate for regular service - approximately
1-5 working days. If expedited service (as soon as possible,
or within the next working day) is needed, Wisconsin Statutes
require a $35.00 fee for each certificate. Multiply the number of
certificates by $10.00 or $35.00 and write in the total amount due.
Although the Office of the Secretary of State is not able to accept
credit cards, we do accept personal and business checks, money orders, and cash. Make
checks payable in US dollars, to "Secretary of State".
STEP 5 Complete this step ONLY if your document was signed by
someone other than a Wisconsin Notary Public. (If a Wisconsin Notary
Public signed your document, skip this step, and complete Step 4.)
Print the public officer’s name as shown on your document, and
indicate the officer’s title and location, as "Register of Deeds,
Brown County," "School Principal, West High School, Madison,
Wisconsin," or "Certifications Specialist, Dept. of Financial
Institutions," and show the date the officer signed your document.
Then indicate the number of certificates you want to order. The cost
is $10.00 for each certificate for regular service - approximately 1-5
working days. If expedited service (as soon as possible, or within the
next working day) is needed, Wisconsin Statutes require a $35.00 fee
for each certificate. Multiply the number of certificates
by $10.00 or $35.00 and write in the total amount due. Although the Office of
the Secretary of State is not able to accept credit cards, we do
accept personal and business checks, money orders, and cash. Make
checks payable in US dollars, to "Secretary of State."
STEP 6 You have three options for the return of your documents and
the certificates you are ordering. You can use "regular" mail, a
special courier service, like FedEx, UPS, DHL, or Express Mail, or
we can telephone you when your certificates are ready, and you can
come to the Office and pick them up.
STEP 7 What to send to order your certificates:
1) The certificate order form(s)
2) Your document(s)
3) The fee of $10.00 or $35.00 per certificate ordered
4) A stamped, self-addressed envelope or
pre-paid airbill, unless you’ll pick up your order.
- We encourage you to use a courier service for the delivery and return of your documents, because you will be able to track the location of the package.
- Whether you use regular mail or a courier service, take care in packing your documents for transit. Use a large, sturdy envelope that will protect your documents. All envelopes marked "certification desk" are opened by hand to reduce the chance of damaging your documents. Additionally, provide protective packaging for your documents’ return – and remember to affix enough postage to cover both your documents, and the apostille/authentication certificates to prevent a delay in delivery.
- You may also hand deliver your documents.
Once your order is received in our Office, the certificates will be
prepared and affixed to your documents in approximately1 to 5
working days. "Walk-in service" is not available.
If you need further information, or have any questions, please give us a call. The direct telephone line for the certification desk is (608) 266-5503. Office hours are 7:45 – 4:30 Monday through Friday. Our office location, and address for all special couriers, is:
Secretary of State
Certification Desk
30 W. Mifflin St., 10th Floor
Madison, WI 53703
For "regular" mail, use the post office box:
[NEVER use the P. O. Box address for special couriers]
Secretary of State
Certification Desk
P. O. Box 7848
Madison, WI 53707
Click below for the form.
Or if you would rather have an order form mailed to you, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Secretary of State
Authentication/Apostille Certificate Request Form
P. O. Box 7848
Madison, WI 53707