Apostille/Standard Certification of Documents for International Use

This guide outlines the general apostille process. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is highly recommended that

you contact the individual offices directly to confirm current operating procedures.

In 1961, the Hague Convention was enacted to simplify the authentication process of international documents. Countries that have

signed the Convention agree to accept the signature of the State Secretary of State as an apostille certification without having the

document authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. If you need to submit a document to a non-Hague Convention country

(standard certification), you will need to have the document also authenticated by the U.S. Department of State.

Please refer to the U.S. State Department’s website for a list of countries that have signed the Convention

2. Take the notarized document to the Licensing Office of the Clerk of the Montgomery County Circuit Court, 1

st

Floor, 50

Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850, for certification. There is a $1.00 fee for this service.

3. Take the certified document to the Maryland Office of the Secretary of State in Annapolis for apostille certification.

Document is now ready for use. There is a $2.00 fee for this service.

Standard Certification – Countries that have not signed the Hague Convention

Personal Documents Notarized in Montgomery County:

1. Have the document notarized by a notary commissioned in Montgomery County, i.e. make sure the words Montgomery

County appear on the notary's seal.

2. Take the notarized document to the Licensing Office of the Clerk of the Montgomery County Circuit Court, 1

Floor, 50

Documents that are issued by a Maryland state or county official and have a seal and authorized signature can be taken directly to

the Maryland Office of the Secretary of State in Annapolis for certification – without first being notarized.

Examples of these documents are: birth or death certificates, motor vehicle ownership documents, police records, marriage

certificates, and divorce decrees. Document is now ready for use. Have questions about your document? Call the Maryland

Secretary of State’s office at (410) 974-5521.

1. Documents that are issued by a Maryland state or county official and have a seal and authorized signature can be taken

directly to the Maryland Office of the Secretary of State in Annapolis for certification – without first being notarized.

Examples of such documents are: birth or death certificates, motor vehicle ownership documents, police records, marriage

certificates, and divorce decrees.

2. Take the document to the U.S. State Department for certification (address information on back page). Document is now