Authentications and Apostilles

"Authenticating" a document may also be called "flagging", "verifying", "certifying", or "attaching a certificate of magistracy". It means that an official certificate confirming the existence of a particular notary public or public officer, who has signed the document, must be attached to the document. An authentication certificate may be required when a document is sent to another state or to a foreign country. Business transactions, foreign adoptions, and high school and university transcripts are examples of documents that frequently require authentication. An "apostille" is a specific format of an authentication certificate that is required by certain countries. When requesting authentication certificates from the Secretary of State’s office, it is important to specify which foreign country is involved, so this Office can determine if an apostille or "regular" authentication is necessary. Use of the wrong certificate can cause a document to be rejected by the foreign country.

Click below for further information and the Certificate Request form.

• Certificate Order Form and instructions (3 pages)
• Certificado de Formarlo de Pedido y los instrucciones - español (3 paginas)

Or if you would rather have a request form mailed to you, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Secretary of State, Authentication/Apostille Certificate Request Form, 30 W. Mifflin St. 10th floor, Madison, WI 53703.