Authentications

It is a legal way to prove to someone in another country that a signature is official. In North Carolina, the document is also examined to make sure the document will serve the interests of justice and is not against public policy.

Yes, we do the authentications in the list below:

• Apostille
  • Where Used: Foreign countries
  • Conditions: Documents to be used in countries that have signed an international agreement called the Hague Convention.
• Authentication
  • Where Used: Foreign countries
  • Conditions: NC Government issued documents to be used in countries that have not signed the Hague Convention.
• Authority
  • Where Used: Foreign countries
  • Conditions: NC Documents which are notarized in North Carolina for countries that have not signed the Hague Convention.

No, we can’t authenticate an out-of-state document.

We can only authenticate it if you also give us a certified or notarized copy of the document in English. As of late 2024 and as a result of problems internationally, the English translation now must have a wet/original signature.

No, we look to signatures of record for state officials when authenticating documents. This office does not have official signatures prior to the year 2000. The official signature certifying the document has to be from April 2000 or later.

No, we don’t do online authentications.

Yes, we have some forms and the required cover letter available.

Per agency policy, you may request a refund if all of the below are true:

• The authentication certificate has not already been processed
• It is within 45 consecutive days of the processing fees being received

If you want a copy of a document from the Business Registration Division, follow these steps:

• Call us at 919-814-5400 and select #4 from the menu.
• Tell our employee that you want to order a certified document to be authenticated and give the employee the details.
• Our employee will tell you how much you need to pay.
• Our employee will email you a copy of the invoice to either pay by check or pay online. Online payment instructions are on the invoice.

• Then you need to gather all these things:

  • A copy of the invoice
  • A cover sheet for Authentications
  • A self-address stamped return envelope or pre-paid (online) courier label
  • If you didn’t pay the invoice online, submit a check in the amount listed on the invoice. You need to make the check payable to the NC Secretary of State.

    The check must be:

    • A certified check,
    • A money order, or
    • A business or personal check which includes the address and phone number. The check cannot be a starter or counter check.
• Send everything to us. You will find addresses and contact information in the next set of FAQs.
• We will not start processing your request until we get the complete package from you.

There are more steps to get a document authenticated that we can include in a Frequently Asked Question. So:

• Get information on apostilles.
• Get information on getting a document authenticated for use in a foreign country. Use the same procedure for authentication and authority.

No, the Secretary of State cannot notarize a document which we will be authenticating.