The Office of Authentications provides signed certificates of authenticity for a variety of documents to individuals, institutions, and government agencies. Examples of documents that may require authentication for use abroad include, but are not limited to, company bylaws, powers of attorney, trademarks, diplomas, treaties, warrants, extraditions, agreements, certificates of good standing, and courier letters.
Prior to submitting documents requiring authentication, certain requirements must be met and are as follows:
Please reference the chart below to determine the requirements for document(s) requiring authentication services.
Document Type |
Example |
Requirements |
|
General Documents |
|
** Item #2 may be omitted if the authority in item 3 will certify directly to the notary. Documents originating in the District of Columbia must be certified by the Secretary of the District of Columbia Notarial Section. |
|
State and Local |
|
You must submit the original document that contains the raised and/or stamped seal of the court or Department of vital records:
|
|
Federally Issued Documents |
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Environmental Protection Agency Social Security Administration Office of Personnel Management
|
Federally issued documents are documents executed by U.S. federal agencies. 1. Your document must have an official’s original and/or stamped signature with the raised and/ or stamped seal of the agency. Note: Agency letter head is accepted. |
|
Superior Court of the District of Columbia and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals |
Marriage Certificate
|
Your document must have the original official signature and the raised seal of the court. |
