Secretary of State Offices

Authentication Services Division

Please choose the letter representing the state where you need authentication services.. If you are seeking original copies of birth and marriage certificates you will contact the bureau of vital Statistics before submitting your documents to the Secretary of State for Authentication. Visit the relevant website for your state for detailed infromation.

A..B..C..D..E..F..G..H..I..J..K..L..M..N..
O..P..Q..R..S..T..U..V..W..X..Y..Z..

Alabama
Alabama Center for Health Statistics
Department of Public Health
PO Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
334-206-5418 or 334-206-2667
Fee: $12/doc, $4 for 2nd copy of same doc
Check to "Department of Public Health"
http://www.adph.org/vitalrecords/

DOCUMENTS OTHER THAN VITAL RECORDS MUST BE COUNTY
AUTHENTICATED BEFORE GOING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE
- Here is the contact info for the County Clerks in Alabama

Secretary of State
Alabama State House
11 S. Union St., Ste. 200
Montgomery, AL 36104
334-242-7210 or 800-274-8683
Fax: 334-242-4993
Fee: $5/doc, Check to "Alabama Secretary of State"
http://www.sos.state.al.us/AdminServices/Authentications.aspx

Alaska
Bureau of Vital Statistics
5441 Commercial Blvd
Juneau, AK 99801
907-465-3391 or FAX: 907-465-3618
Fee: $20/doc+ $12 per form for International use
(This includes the $2 for the State Seal)
Money Order Only to "Bureau of Vital Statistics"
http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/bvs/

Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Authentications Department
240 Main Street, Suite 301
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-465-3509 Fax: 907-465-5400
Fee: $5/doc, Check to "State of Alaska"
notary@gov.state.ak.us
http://ltgov.state.ak.us/notary/authentications.php

Arizona
Arizona Department of Health Services
Office of Vital Records
1818 West Adams
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 364-1300
Fee: Certified copies of birth and death certificates are $15.00 each.
CERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER to "Office of Vital Records"
you must include xerox of picture ID
http://www.azdhs.gov/vitalrcd - for application form and more info

Marriage Certificates are issued by the Clerk of Court

Arizona Secretary of State
Attn: Authentications & Apostilles
1700 W. Washington, #7
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-542-4285
Fax: 602-542-1575
Fee: $3/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.azsos.gov/business_services/notary/Apostille.htm

Arkansas
Division of Vital Records
Department of Health
Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
501-661-2336 or 800-637-9314
Office open: 8AM-4:30PM
Fee: $12/for 1st copy, $10 for each additional copy - Check to "Vital Records"
http://www.healthyarkansas.com/certificates/certificates.html

Secretary of State
State Capitol Building
Little Rock, AR 72201
Attn: Commercial
501-682-3409 or 888-233-0325
Fax: 501-682-3510
Fee: $5/Certification, $10/Apostille
Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.sosweb.state.ar.us/

California
California Department of Public Health
MS 5103
1501 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-445-2684 (recording)
Fee: $14/doc for birth certificate and $13/doc for marriage certificates
Check to "Office of Vital Records"
Birth Certificates can take 12 weeks
Marriage Certificates can take SIX MONTHS
Fax: 1-800-858-5553
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Pages/default.aspx

As of 7/99, California prefers you obtain your vital records from the county.
- Here is contact info for all the County Clerks in California

Office of the Secretary of State
Notary Public Division
Office Address: 1500 11th St., Second Floor; Sacramento, CA 95814
Mailing address PO Box 942877; Sacramento, CA 94277-0001
916-653-6814
Fee: $20/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"
If you come in person, you also pay $6 per different notary "expediting fee"
http://www.ss.ca.gov/business/notary/notary_authentication.htm

Colorado
Vital Records Section
Department of Health
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
HSVRD-VR-A1
Denver, CO 80246-1530
303-756-4464
Fee: $17.75 first copy/$10 for additional copies
Check to "Vital Records Section"
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/

Secretary of State
Attention: Licensing Division
1700 Broadway, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80290
303-894-2200, ext 6409
Fee: No fee for notarized documents, $2/doc for Vital Records, if mail in or drop off
$15/doc for notarized documents and $17/doc for Vital Records if "while-you-wait" service,
Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.sos.state.co.us

Connecticut CT Department of Public Health
410 Capitol Ave.
MS #11VRS
Hartford, CT 06134
860-509-7700 (Noon - 4PM)
http://www.dph.state.ct.us/PB/HISR/Vital_Records.htm You have to order Birth Certificates from the town where the birth occured.

Secretary of the State
Attn: Commercial Recording
Division 30 Trinity Street
Hartford, CT 06106 860-509-6002 Fee: $5/doc,
Check to "Secretary of the State"
http://www.sots.state.ct.us/

Delaware Office of Vital Statistics

Jesse Cooper Building
417 Federal Street
Dover, DE 19901
Phone (302) 744-4549/4556/4558/4700

Open:
8AM-4:15PM
Fee: $10per doc Check to "Vital Statistics" http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/ss/vitalstats.html

Secretary of State
Division of Corporations
401 Federal Street Suite 4
Dover, DE 19901
Attn: Authentications 302-739-6479
Fee:$20 for 1 doc, $30 for 2 or more. Check to "Delaware Secretary of State"
http://sos.delaware.gov/default.shtml

District of Columbia
Vital Records Office (updated 7/08)
825 N. Capitol Street,
NE 1st Floor
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 442-9303
8:30AM - 3:30PM
Fee: $23 for form needed for adoption (long form) Check to "DC Treasurer"
http://doh.dc.gov/doh/site/default.asp

Marriage Certificates
District of Columbia Superior Court
Marriage Bureau
500 Indiana Avenue,
NW Room 4485
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 879-4840 and press "0" for a Deputy Clerk
Mondays-Fridays: 8:30a.m. - 5:00p.m.
Fee: the triple seal certificate fee is $20 (used for adoptions and foreign jurisdictions), plus $10 for a copy
Money Order payable to "Clerk, D.C. Superior Court"
http://www.dccourts.gov/dccourts/superior/family/marriage.jsp

Notary Commissions and Authentications Section
One Judiciary Square;
441 4th Street, NW,
Room 810-S;
Washington, DC 20001

Open 9AM - 3PM
Mailing Address:
Office of the Secretary;
Executive Office of the Mayor;
John A. Wilson Building;
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Suite 419;
Washington, DC 20004
Fee: $10/doc, Check to "DC Treasurer"
202-727-3117
http://os.dc.gov/os/cwp/view,a,1207,q,522462.asp#document

Florida
Vital Statistics
1217 N. Pearl St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
904-359-6932 or 6934 904-359-6900 for recording ext 1029

Office Hours:
8AM-5PM Fee: birth certificates are $9 for 1st computer generated copy, $4 each additional or
$14 per certified book copy, $4 each additional $5 Marriage & Divorce (takes 2-3 wks); Rush service: add $10 $29 per Exemplified or Apostilled copy Make the check to "Office of Vital Statistics"
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/planning_eval/vital_statistics/

Florida requires you to get birth records from Vital Records or they will NOT State Seal them

Department of State
Division of Corporations Notary and Apostille Certification

Office Address:
2661 Executive Center,
Circle West;
Tallahassee, FL 32301

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 6800;
Tallahassee, FL 32314
850-245-6945 or 6975

Fee:
$10/doc for State Sealed certificate, Apostilled docs only cost $20 for marriage/divorce/death decrees that are obtained from the Circuit Court level. The reason is that the SOS must first certify the Clerk of Circuit Court
and then issue the Apostille for the Clerk of Circuit Court.

Marriage, divorce, and death decrees obtained from the FL Vital Statistics office are still only $10 for Apostilles. Money Order, Cashier's Check or Personal Check to "Florida Department of State"
http://notaries.dos.state.fl.us/notproc7.html

Florida Secy of State Branches will no longer do certification after 1/1/06. All docs must go to Tallahassee.

Georgia
Vital Records Unit
2600 Skyland Drive, NE
Atlanta, GA 30319-3640
Phone: 404-679-4701 or 2 Fax: 404-524-4278
phvitalrecords@gdph.state.ga.us

Office Hours:
8AM-4:45PM

Fee: $10/1st copy, $5/each additional cy of same doc MONEY ORDER or CASHIER'S CHECK to
"Vital Records Service"
http://health.state.ga.us/programs/vitalrecords/

Divorce certificates are available from the County, not Vital Records

DOCUMENTS OTHER THAN VITAL RECORDS MUST BE COUNTY AUTHENTICATED BEFORE GOING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE - Here is a list of the County Clerks in Georgia

FOR STATE SEALS:

Secretary of State Elections Division
Suite 1104,
West Tower
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr,
SE Atlanta, GA 30334
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/commissions/default.htm

Fee:
$10/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"

FOR APOSTILLES: (for countries which signed the Hague agreement)
Notary Division
1875 Century Boulevard,
Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30345
404-327-6023 800-304-5175
http://www.gsccca.org/Projects/apost.asp

Fee:
$3/apostille, check or money order to "GSCCCA"

Apostilled documents do not need County Seals, but State Sealed still do.

Guam
Office of Vital Statistics
Dept of Public Health and Social Services Government of Guam
#123 Chalan Kareta, Rt. 10
Mangilao Hagatna, Guam 96932
(671) 734-4589 or (671) 735-7263

Fee: $5, Check to "Treasurer of Guam"
http://dphss.guam.gov/
or http://www.bit.guam.gov/DPHSSVitalStatistics/tabid/1247/Default.aspx

Lt. Governor Authentication Office
ATTN:Helen RJB Complex -
Box 2950
Hagatna, Guam 96932
671-472-8931

Fee: -0- NOTHING, Free!
http://www.guamltgovernor.org/

Hawaii
Vital Records Section
State Department of Health
PO Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96801
808-586-4533

Fee:
$10/1st doc, $4/additional copies, Check to "Hawaii State Department of Health"
email: vr-info@doh.hawaii.gov
http://www.hawaii.gov/doh

All documents except those that are to be APOSTILLED, must go to the Circuit Court before going to the Lieutenant Governor's office:

Dr. Alvin Onaka is the official State Registrar, and when you order a birth or marriage certificate, there must be a "certification letter" attatched from him. If you include a check or money order made out to the Chief Clerk First Circuit Court, they will forward the document for you. If you include another check or money order made out to The Office of the Lieutenant Governor, they will forward it on for you as well. It is best if you include express mailers for everyone, and include a letter asking them to forward it for you.

Circuit Court of the First Circuit
Legal Documents Section
777 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813

808-539-4301
Fee: $3/doc Company Check or Money Order to "Chief Clerk First Circuit Court"
http://www.courts.state.hi.us/page_server/GenInfo/Contact/1315C15E545F2834E9A82B5A46.html

Office of the Lieutenant Governor
State Capitol, 5th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: 808-586-0255 Fax: 808-586-0231

Fee: $1/doc, Check to "Office of the Lieutenant Governor"
http://hawaii.gov/ltgov/

Idaho
Vital Statistics Unit
Department of Health and Welfare
450 West State Street
Statehouse Mail
Boise, ID 83720-9990
208-334-5988

Fee: $13/doc, $5/doc for rush service, Check to "Vital Records"
http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/

Secretary of State
450 4th Street
Boise ID 83702
208-332-2810 Fax: 208-334-2282

Fee: $10/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.idsos.state.id.us/

Illinois
Division of Vital Records
Department of Public Health
605 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62702-5097
217-782-6553

Hours: 8AM-4PM
Fee:$15 for 1st cy, $2 each additional copy check to "Illinois Department of Public Health"
http://www.idph.state.il.us/

Illinois Secretary of State
Index Department
111 E. Monroe
Springfield, IL 62756
217-558-2972 Fax : 217-524-0930
Fee: $2/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.sos.state.il.us/departments/index/divisions.html

Secretary of State - Chicago Branch (walk - in only!)
17 N. State Street,
Suite 1030
Chicago, IL 60602
312-793-2556 (main office) 312-814-2067 (certifications)
Hours: 8:00AM -3:30PM Fee: $2/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"

Indiana
Indiana State Dept of Health
Office of Dept of Vital Records
6 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-233-2700 (Recording) fee: $10 for 1st cy/$4 for each additional, check to "Indiana State Dept of Health"
http://www.in.gov/isdh/20444.htm

NOTE: Indiana requires you to get birth records from Vital Records or they will NOT State Seal them Marriage certificates are available from the County Clerk in the county where the marriage license was obtained.

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

Fee: $0 per document - FREE!
http://www.in.gov/sos/business/apostille/

Iowa
Vital Records Section
Department of Public Health
Lucas Office Building 321
East 12 Street Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-5871

Fee: $15/doc, Check to "Iowa Department of Public Health"
http://www.idph.state.ia.us/apl/health_statistics.asp

NOTE: Iowa prefers you get all Vital Records from the Main Office in Des Moines, NOT at the County Clerk's office. This way, they can walk your record over to the Secretary of State's office for the State Seal

Secretary of State
Corporate Division Lucas Building,
1st Floor 321
E 12th Street Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-5204 Fax: 515-242-6556

Fee: $5/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.sos.state.ia.us/

Don't send original documents - send either photo copy of notary public's sig/stamp and/or vital records/county clerk's sig/stamp or a list of notary public/vital records/county clerk's names and commission numbers (listed on stamp). You also need to tell them the date the documents
were notarized.They will send you the state certification forms to attach to the originals.

Kansas
KDHE Office of Vital Statistics
1000 SW Jackson Street,
Suite 120
Topeka, KS 66612
785-296-1500 785-296-3253 Fax: 785-368-6368
info@kdhe.state.ks.us
Fee: $12.00 per document, $7 for each additional, Check to "Kansas Vital Statistics"
http://www.kdhe.state.ks.us/vital/

Secretary of State
1st Floor Memorial Hall
120 SW 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1594

Attn: Georgia Lott 785-296-4564 Fax: 785-291-3051
Fee: $7.50/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.kssos.org/business/notary_public/certifications.html

Kentucky
Office of Vital Statistics
Department for Health Services
275 East Main Street,
1E-A Frankfort, KY 40621
502-564-4212

Fee: Birth $10/doc, Marriage, Death and Divorce Certificates $6/doc Check to "Kentucky State Treasurer"
http://chfs.ky.gov/

DOCUMENTS OTHER THAN VITAL RECORDS MUST BE COUNTY AUTHENTICATED BEFORE GOING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Secretary of State
Apostilles Branch
700 Capitol Avenue,
Rm 156
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-7330

Fee: $5/doc, Check to "KY State Treasurer"
http://sos.ky.gov/adminservices/apostilles.htm

Louisiana
Vital Records Registry
Office of Public Health

Office Address:
325 Loyola Avenue,
Room 102;
New Orleans, LA 70112

Mailing Address:
PO Box 60630,
New Orleans, LA 70160-0630
800-454-9570 or 504-219-4500 Fax: 504-219-4478
Long Form Birth Certificate $15.50 for first $15.00 for each after, Marriage Certificate $5.50 for first, $5.00 for each after.
http://www.oph.dhh.state.la.us/recordsstatistics/vitalrecords/

LA Secretary of State
Commissions Department
8585 Archives Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
225-922-0330 Fax: 225-922-0945

Fee: $10/doc for adoptions, $20/doc for business, Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/tabid/134/Default.aspx

Maine
Office of Vital Records
11 State House Station
244 Water Street
Augusta, ME 04333
207-287-3181

Fee: $15/doc first copy, $6 for each additional copy, Check to "Treasurer of the State of Maine"
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/bohodr/recorder.htm

Department of Secretary of State
Notary Public Division
111 Sewall Street,
4th Floor Augusta, ME 04330
207-624-7736

Fee: $10/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/notary/apostilles.html

Maryland
Division of Vital Records
6550 Reisterstown Road
Reisterstown Road Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21215
410-764-3038 or 800-832-3277

Fee: $12/doc, Check to "Division of Vital Records"
http://www.vsa.state.md.us/html/apps.html

Maryland Marriage Records can be obtained from the Maryland Archives: 410-260-6400 or 410-222-1397
http://www.msa.md.gov/
email: ref@mdsa.net

DOCUMENTS OTHER THAN VITAL RECORDS MUST BE COUNTY AUTHENTICATED BEFORE GOING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE Here's the Link to all the Circuit Courts in MD

Secretary of State
16 Francis Street
Jeffrey Building, 1st Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401

Hours:
8:30am-4:30pm
410-974-5521 ext 0

Fee: $5/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.sos.state.md.us/Certifications/certifications.htm

Massachusetts
Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics

150 Mt. Vernon Street, 1st floor
Dorchester, MA 02125-3105
617-740-2600

Fee: $18/doc in person, $28/doc via mail $37/doc for 2 week processing, Check to "Commonwealth of MA"
$44/ doc if using a credit card
http://www.mass.gov/dph/bhsre/rvr/feeincrease.htm

Secretary of the Commonwealth
Commissions Office
One Ashburton Place
Room 1719
Boston, MA 02108
617-727-2836

Fee: $6/doc, Check to "Commonwealth of MA"
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/precom/comidx.htm

Michigan
Michigan Vital Records
201 Townsend Street
Capitol View Building, 3rd Floor
Lansing, MI 48913

517-335-8656/8666
Fee: $26 for the first copy, $12 for extra copies $10 each for RUSH Check to "State of Michigan"
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-4645_4702---,00.html

Michigan Department of State:
Office of the Great Seal
7064 Crowner Blvd.
Lansing, MI 48918
517-373-2531

You must include a prepaid envelope to use this service Fee: $1/doc, Check to "State of Michigan"
http://www.michigan.gov/sos

Minnesota
Minnesota Department of Health
Attention: Office of the State Registrar/ Birth Certificates
P.O. Box 64882
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0882
651-201-5970

Fee: $16/doc Check to "Minnesota Department of Health" $5 extra handling fee for charge card
http://www.health.state.mn.us

MN Secretary of State - Certification
Retirement Systems of Minnesota Building
60 Empire Dr, Suite 100
St. Paul, MN 55103-2141
651-296-2803 or 877-551-6767 Fax: 651-297-5844
Fee: $5/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.sos.state.mn.us/

Mississippi
Mississippi Vital Records
571 Stadium Dr.
PO Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215
(601) 576-7960 Fax: (601) 576-7505
Fee: $15 for the 1st copy, $5 each additional
http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/phs/index.htm

Secretary of State
ATTN: Authentications
700 North Street
Jackson, MS 39202
Toll Free: 800.256.3494 601.359.1615 Fax: 601.359.1607
Fee: $2/doc, check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.sos.state.ms.us/

Missouri
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
430 Wildwood
PO Box 570 Jefferson City, MO 65102 573-751-6387 573-751-6400 will give a recorded message
Fee: $15/doc for birth or marriage certificates
Make check to " Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services"
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/BirthAndDeathRecords/index.html

You get your marriage certificate from the Recorder of Deeds in the county where the license was issued.

Secretary of State
Commission Division
600 W. Main, Room 322
Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-751-2336

Fee: $10/doc, Check to "State Director of Revenue"
http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/commissions/certify.asp

Missouri requires a cover letter stating complete name and address, the country the
family is adopting from, gender of child adopting (if known) and number of children adopting.
The cost is $10 per document, but each family only has to pay a maximum of $100 - after that,
verifications are free.

Montana
Office of Vital Records
Department of Public Health and Human Services
111 North Sanders, Room 209
Helena, MT 59604
406-444-4228

Fee: $12/birth certificate for 1st copy, $5 each additional copy http://www.dphhs.state.mt.us or
http://virtual.state.mt.us/dph_l2.htm

Secretary of State
Notary Division
1236 6th Avenue
Helena, MT 59620
406-444-1877 Fax: 406-444-4263
Fee: $10/doc
http://sos.state.mt.us/

Montana requires that you specify if you want an
apostille or authentication and will not make an assumption
based on the country you are adopting from

Nebraska
Vital Records/Records Management
Health and Human Services System
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509
402-471-2871

Fee: $12 for birth certificates, $11 for marriage, death or divorce decrees
Email : Vitalrecords@dhhs.ne.gov
http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/ced/cedindex.htm

NE Secretary of State
Notary Division
State Capitol Building, Room 1301
1445 K Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
402-471-2558
Fax: 402-471-4429
Fee: $10/doc, check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.sos.state.ne.us/business/notary/not_auth.html

Nevada
Office of Vital Records and Statistics
4150 Technology Way, Suite 104
Carson City, NV 89706
775-684-4242
Fax: 775-684-4156
Fee: $13 per birth certificate, $10 per marriage certificate
http://health2k.state.nv.us/forms/formindex.htm

Secretary of State
101 N. Carson St., Suite 3
Carson City, NV 89701
775-684-5708
Fax: 775-684-5725
Fee: $20/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"
Turnaround time is 5-10 days!

They'll expedite your dossier within 4 hours for an extra $125
http://www.sos.state.nv.us/

DOWNLOAD THEIR FORM

New Hampshire
NH Department of State
Division of Vital Records Administration
Registration/Certification
71 South Fruit Street
Concord, NH 03301-2410
603-271-4654
Fee: $12/doc, 1st copy; $8/doc for each additional copy
check to "New Hampshire Vital Records"
http://www.sos.nh.gov/vitalrecords/ELIGIBILITY.html

New Hampshire Dept. of State
107 N. Main St.
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-3242
Fee: $10/doc, check made payable to "State of New Hampshire"
http://www.sos.nh.gov/certific.htm

New Jersey
NJ Department of Health & Senior Services (updated 07/08)
Bureau of Vital Statistics
140 East Front Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-292-4087
FAX: 609-392-4292
Fee: $25/each doc BE SURE TO TELL THEM YOU NEED THE LONG FORM
http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/vital.html

NOTE: New Jersey requires you to get marriage and birth records from Vital Records
or they will NOT State Seal them

Secretary of State of New Jersey
Division of Revenue
Attn: Notary Unit
225 West State Street, Third Floor
Trenton, NJ 08608-1001
Hours: 8:30AM-4:45 PM
For questions about NJ notarizations: 1-609-633-8258

Instead of the usual $25 per document, the fee is now $5 per document for adoption.
The turnaround time is anywhere from 3-7 business days.
Instead of the usual $40 per document for expedited service, the fee is now $20 per
document for adoption. The turnaround time is 8 1/2 business hours, if you use a courier.
3 business days if you use FedEx.
Check to "The Treasurer, State of New Jersey"
http://www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/dcr/programs/apostilles.htm

New Mexico
New Mexico Vital Records and Health Statistics
1105 St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87502
505-827-0121
Fee: $10/doc, check to "New Mexico Vital Records"
http://dohewbs2.health.state.nm.us/VitalRec

Marriage Records are to be ordered from the County Clerks

Secretary of State
State Capitol, North Complex
325 Don Gaspar Avenue, Suite 300
Santa Fe, NM 87503
800-477-3632
505-827-3600
Fax: 505-827-3634
Fee: $3/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"
All orders processed within 24 hours
http://www.sos.state.nm.us/

New York
Vital Records Section (updated 8/08)
NY Department of Health
Attn: Certification Unit
800 N. Pearl Street
Manands, NY 12204
518-474-3075
http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/consumer/vr.htm

Fee: $30/doc for regular (6-8 weeks) processing
or $45 each for RUSH (2-3 week) processing
check to "NY State Department of Health"

New York City:
Bureau of Vital Records
Department of Health of New York City
125 Worth Street, CN 4, Room 133
New York, NY 10013
212-788-4521, 4522 and 4523
Fax: 1-800-908-9146

Fee: $15 per Birth Certificate per certified copy
Money Order to "New York City Department of Health"

Ask For "Vault Copy Long Form with Letter of Exemplification"
Website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/home/home.shtml

Marriage Certificates

All marriage certificates, except for the 5 NYC boroughs,
are available through NY State Vital Records Office. All marriage certificates for any of the 5 NYC
boroughs are available through the NYC Clerk's Office:

City Clerk's Office
Municipal Building
1 Centre Street, Room 252
New York, NY 10007
(212) 669-2400 or (212) 669-8090
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM 6 weeks service by mail, Same day service in person

Website:http://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/html/home/home.shtml

MONEY ORDER ONLY to "The City Clerk of NY"
Fee: $35 per certified copy for 1st copy, $30 for each additional copy
Ask For "Long Form Copy with Live Signature" for use for foreign adoption.

NOTARIZED DOCUMENTS AND NY CITY VITAL RECORDS MUST BE COUNTY
AUTHENTICATED BEFORE GOING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
Here is a List of all the County Clerks in New York

Secretary of State
Certification Unit
123 William Street, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10038
212-417-5684
Fee: $10/doc, check or MONEY ORDER to "Secretary of State"
Note: All NY documents can be processed through the NYC SOS office.

Miscellaneous Records
Department of State
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12231
518-474-8642
Fee: $10/doc, check or MONEY ORDER to "Secretary of State"
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/corp/apostile.htm

North Carolina
Vital Records Section (updated 9/08)
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1903
919-733-3526/3000
Fee: $15/1st copy, $5/each addt'l
http://vitalrecords.dhhs.state.nc.us/

Note: Notarized Documents must have embossed seal with County
and State on seal - some notaries have incorrect seal

NC Secretary of State (updated 9/08)
Authentication Division
2 S. Salisbury Street
1st Floor - ORB
Raleigh, NC 27601-2903
919-807-2140 or 919-807-2131
Fee $10/doc, check to "Secretary of State"
authen@sosnc.com
http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/authen/

North Dakota
Division of Vital Records (updated 9/08)
State Capitol
600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept 301
Bismarck, ND 58505
701-328-2360
Fax: 701-328-1850
Fee: Birth Cert: $7 for 1st cy, $4 for additional cys of same record
Marriage Cert: $5 for 1st cy, $2 for additional cys of same record
Check to "Vital Records"
vitalrec@nd.gov
http://www.vitalnd.com/

Secretary of State (updated 9/08)
600 E. Blvd Ave, Dept 108
Bismarck, ND 58505-0500
701-328-2900
Fax: 701-328-1690
Fee: $10/document, check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.nd.gov/sos/

Ohio
Division of Vital Statistics 
Department of Health  
225 Neilston Street 
Columbus, OH 43215-0098 
614-466-2531  
Fee: $16.50/doc 
http://www.odh.ohio.gov/vitalstatistics/vitalstats.aspx 
Note: You can also get a certified copy from your county health dept   

DOCUMENTS OTHER THAN VITAL RECORDS MUST BE COUNTY  
AUTHENTICATED BEFORE GOING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE 
UNLESS THEY WERE NOTARIZED BY AN ATTORNEY .  Here is a list of the County Clerks in Ohio

Secretary of State (updated 9/08)
180 East Broad Street, 15th Floor    
Columbus, OH  43215  
Phone: 614-466-2585    
Toll free: 877-767-6446      
Fax: 614-544-0649       

Fee: $5/doc, Check to "Ohio Secretary of State"      
http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/

Oklahoma
BIRTH RECORDS:
Vital Records Service
Oklahoma Department of Health
1000 NE 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
405-271-4040
$15/doc, CHECK OR MONEY ORDER to "Vital Records Service"
AskVR@health.ok.gov
http://www.health.state.ok.us

MARRIAGE & DIVORCE CERTIFICATES:
Oklahoma County Official Contact Information
Oklahoma Secretary of State Certifications Office
State Capital Building
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Room 101
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-521-3911
$20/doc, CASHIERS CHECK OR MONEY ORDER to "Secretary of State"
http://www.sos.state.ok.us

Oregon
Oregon Vital Records

Office address:
800 NE Oregon St. #205
Portland OR 97232

Mailing address:
PO Box 14050
Portland OR 97293
971-673-1190 Fax: (503) 234-8417
$20/1st doc, $15/ea. addt'l. Expedite with Cred Card, next day, addt'l $32.50 Make Cashiers check out to Oregon Health Division
http://www.dhs.state.or.us/publichealth/chs/certif/certfaqs.cfm

Secretary of State
Corporation Division,
Notary Public Section
255 Capitol St, NE; Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310-1327
503-986-2593

Fee: $10/doc
e-mail: oregon.notary@state.or.us
http://www.filinginoregon.com/notary/howtoauth.htm

Pennsylvania
Division of Vital Records
Department of Health Central Building
101 South Mercer Street, Room 401
PO Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16101
724-656-3100 or 724-656-3143

Fee: $10 per document, check to "Vital Records" Normal processing time - 6 weeks from date check is cashed
http://www.health.state.pa.us

PA child abuse clearances and criminal checks forms: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us

Department of State
210 North Office Bldg. Harrisburg, PA 17120 717-787-5280

Fee: $15/doc, Check to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" Pennsylvania will not accept raised notary seals - all notaries must notarize using a rubber stamp (it's okay to use both, but not raised seals only). http://www.dos.state.pa.us/dos/site/default.asp

Puerto Rico
Demographic Registry
Department of Health Puerto Rico
PO Box 11854
Fernandez Juncos Station
San Juan, PR 00910
787-767-9120

Fee: $5 per copy of Birth, Death, Marriage or Divorce certificate
Money order should be made payable to "Secretary of the Treasury." Personal checks are not accepted. All applications must be accompanied by a photocopy of an of a recent, valid IDENTIFICATION OF APPLICANT.
http://www.salud.gov.pr/

Puerto Rico Department of State
Certifications and Regulations Division
PO Box 9023271
San Juan, PR 00902-3271 Attn: Elba Torres
787-722-2121 787-725-7303 Fee: $3/doc, MONEY ORDER ONLY to "Secretary of the Treasury Department" http://www.estado.gobierno.pr/
http://www.estado.gobierno.pr/correo.htm

Rhode Island
Division of Vital Records
Department of Health
3 Capitol Hill, Room 101
Providence, RI 02908-5097
401-222-2812

Office open: 8:30AM-4:00PM
Fee: $20/doc, $15/additional copies (takes 4-6 weeks) RUSH: $27/doc (takes about 2 weeks) Check to "Rhode Island General Treasurer"
http://www.health.state.ri.us/chic/vital/index.php

Secretary of State
Attn: Notary Division
148 W. River Street
Providence, RI 02904-2615
401-222-1487 401-222-3040
Fee: $5/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.state.ri.us/

South Carolina
SC DHEC,
Office of Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
803-898-3630 or 3631

Fee: $12/doc, $3 each additional copy. (2-4 weeks processing) Check to "Vital Records" Expedited Service: $5/document (3-5 business days)
http://www.scdhec.net/administration/vr/

Secretary of State
Edgar Brown Building
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29205
803-734-2512 or 2119

Fee: $2/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.scsos.com/

South Dakota

Vital Records
South Dakota Department of Health
600 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-2536
605-773-3361

Fee: $10/doc, Check to "South Dakota Department of Health"
http://doh.sd.gov/

Secretary of State
Attn: Notary Division
500 East Capitol Street, Suite 204
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-3537 Fax: 605-773-3539

Fee: $5/doc, Check to " Secretary of State"
http://www.sdsos.gov/adminservices/apostilles.shtm

Tennessee
Vital Records
421 5th Avenue North
1st Floor Central Services Building
Nashville, TN 37243
615-741-1763 Fax: 615-741-9860

Fee: $12 for 1st copy, $4 for each additional copy Check to "Tennessee Vital Records"
http://health.state.tn.us/vr/

DOCUMENTS OTHER THAN VITAL RECORDS MUST BE COUNTY AUTHENTICATED BEFORE GOING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE - Here is a list of the County Clerks in Tennessee (look under Tennessee County Home Pages)

Secretary of State
Attn: Notary Divison
312 Eighth Ave North
Sixth Floor, William R. Snodgrass Tower
Nashville, TN 37243
615-741-3699 Fax: 615-741-7310 Fee: $2/doc, Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.state.tn.us/sos/

Texas
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Department of Health
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756 512-458-7111 or 888-963-7111
Fee: $22/birth certificate, check to "Bureau of Vital Statistics"
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/VS/

NOTE: Texas requires you to get birth certificates from Vital Records or they will NOT State Seal them Marriage records are obtained from the County Clerk

Secretary of State
Statutory Document Division
1019 Brazos
Austin, Texas 78701
512-463-5705

Fee: For Adoption Only: $10/doc, maximum amount $100 per child. Check to "Secretary of State"

Form 2103 must be completed and submitted by family.
http://www.sos.state.tx.us All other documents documents are $15 each.

Texas no longer allows adoption agencies to send requests for certifications or apostilles. Requests and payments must come directly from the adopting parents.

If you would like a courier to take your documents in to the TX Sec of State contact Alexa Hinda at alexa@paperchasing.com

Utah

Office of Vital Records
Department of Health
Martha Hughes Cannon Health Building;
288 North 1460 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
801-538-6105, 6380, 6843

Fee: $15/doc for birth, $9/doc for divorce or marriage
Email Address: vrequest@utah.gov
http://health.utah.gov/vitalrecords/

Utah Authentication Office
Utah State Capitol Suite 220
SLC, UT 84114
801-538-1041 Fax: 801-538-1165

Fee: $10 per document Checks to "STATE OF UTAH"
http://governor.utah.gov/authentications/mail.htm

Vermont
Vital Records Section
Department of Health
Box 70 80 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05402
802-863-7275
Fee: $10/document, check to "Vermont Department of Health"
EMAIL: bgs-referenceandresearch@state.vt.us
http://healthvermont.gov/research/records/vital_records.aspx

For Vermont, if the marriage or birth certificates are dated before 5 years they are archived. You would have to call a different number to get copies

Vermont State Archives & Records Administration
1078 US Route 2,
Middlesex Montpelier. VT 05633-7701
802-828-3286 Fax: 802-828-3710

Fee: $10/document
http://vermont-archives.org/research/vitals/

Office of the Secretary of State
26 Terrace St.
Montpelier, VT 05609-1101
802-828-2308 or 802-825-2363
Fee: $2/doc
EMAIL: kwatters@sec.state.vt.us
http://vermont-archives.org/notary/guide/Notary5.htm

Virginia
VDH, Office of Vital Records and Health Statistics

Office Address:
1601 Willow Lawn Drive,
Suite 275;
Richmond, VA 23220

Mailing Address:
PO Box 1000;
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
804-662-6200
Fee: $12/doc Check to "State Health Department"
http://www.vdh.state.va.us/

If you get your marriage certificate from the County Clerk instead of the Vital Records office,
you must have the record triple sealed - two seals from the Clerk of the Court, and one seal
from the Judge of the Circuit Court - attached to your marriage certificate before you send it to
the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Secretary of the Commonwealth
1111 East Broad Street, 4th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219 804-786-2441

Fee: $10/doc, Check to "Secretary of the Commonwealth"
http://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/

Virgin Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health
Vital Statistics
Knud Hansen Complex
Charlotte Amalie
St. Thomas, VI 00802
340-774-9000 ext. 4685 or 4686

Fee: $15/birth certificate, money order to "Department of Health"

Clerk of the Territorial Court
Family Division P.O. Box 70
Veterans Drive
St. Thomas, VI 00804
340-774-6680
Fee: $10/doc

U.S. Virgin Islands Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Attn: Anna Lewis
1131 King Street Suite
101 Christiansted
St. Croix, VI 00820
340.773.6459 ext 3104 Fax: 340-774-6593

Fee: $25.00/doc money order or check
http://www.gov.vi/

Washington
Center for Health Statistics
Department of Health
101 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA 98501
(360)236-4300

Fee: $20/doc Check to "Department of Health
http://www.doh.wa.gov/EHSPHL/CHS/cert.htm

Office of the Secretary of State
Secretary of State Office Corporation Division-Apostille and Certificate Program
801 Capitol Way South
P.O. Box 40228
Olympia, WA 98504-0228
Telephone: (360) 725-0344 or (360) 725-0345 Fax: (360) 664-8781
email: apostilled@secstate.wa.gov
Fee: $15/doc, Check to "Office of the Secretary of State"
http://www.secstate.wa.gov/corps/apostilles/

West Virginia
Vital Registration Office
Room 165 350 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV 25301
304-558-2931 Fax: 304-558-8001

fee: $10/doc for birth & marriage certificates after 1964
http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/oehp/hsc/vr/birtcert.htm

West Virginia Secretary Of State
Building 1, Suite 157K
1900 Kanawha Blvd.E
Charleston, WV 25305
Attn: Amanda Osborn 304.558.6000

fee: $10 per doc/$5 for each additional doc w/same notary
Mail to: aosborn@wvsos.com
http://www.wvsos.com/execrecords/other/authentication.htm

Wisconsin
Vital Records
1 West Wilson Street,
Room 158
Madison, WI 53702
608-266-1374

Fee: Birth Cert= $20/1st cy, $3 each addt'l Marriage Cert=$20/1st cy, $3 each addt'l
http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/vitalrecords/

Secretary of State
Certification Desk
30 W Mifflin St; 10th Floor
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-266-5503 FAX: 608-267-6813 FAX Contact: 608-266-1437
Fee: $10/doc for regular service, $35 per doc for expedited, Check to "Secretary of State"
http://www.sos.state.wi.us/apostilles.htm

Check with the Secretary of State, I have been informed they prefer you fill out a "certificate request form" without sending in the original document

Wyoming
Wyoming Vital Statistics Service
2300 Capitol Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82002
307-777-7591

Fee: $13/doc, Cashier's Check or Money Order only For faster service and for the small fee of $33.50, you can fax all the pertinent info. Call: 307-635-4103
http://wdhfs.state.wy.us/

Wyoming Secretary of State
The Capitol Building
200 West 24th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: 307-777-5860 Fax: 307-777-7640 TTY: 307-777-5351
Fee: $3/doc
Email: agreen1@state.wy.us
http://soswy.state.wy.us/AdminServices/AuthenticationOverview.aspx

Born Overseas to American Parents

Vital Records Section - Passport Office
1111 19th Street
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20522-1705
202-955-0307

Fee: $30/1st cy, $20/each addt'l Make check or money order out to: "Department of State"

You can find instructions on line at: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_828.html
The birth certificate you need for adoption is called a "DS-1350." Call first or read
http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_828.html to get a handle on everything
you need to send them.

WARNING! They take 4-8 weeks to process your request! Once you get it, unless you are using this in a country that signed the Hague Agreement of 1961, it is ready to go to the Embassy. You do not need a State Seal or Federal Seal on this document. If you are using this in a country that requires Apostilles (like Russia or Kazakhstan) ask the Passport Office to Apostille the DS-1350 when you order it

China Visa Service

Chinese Consulate Operations 9am-2pm

Secretary of State Offices

Authentication Services Division

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China Visa Service

Chinese Consulate Operations 9am-2pm

Secretary of State Offices

Authentication Services Division

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