Office of the Secretary of the State

Authentication of Documents and the Apostille

Document Authentication and Apostille

An apostille is an official certification issued for public documents intended for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. It is a sealed certificate that confirms the authority of a public official to act in a particular capacity in connection with a document that he or she has signed. The country in which a document will be used determines the type of certificate that this office will attach to the original.

An authentication is an official certification issued for public documents intended for use in countries that are not part of the Hague Apostille Convention.  For these countries you may require further legalization by the U.S. State Department of State or the embassy of the destination country.

Beginning July 6, 2026, you can obtain an electronic apostille (e-Apostille), which is the digital version of a traditional paper apostille. It is issued electronically and contains a secure digital signature and electronic seal that can be verified on-line.  An e-Apostille is not valid if printed.

The Office of the Secretary of the State issues both paper apostilles and e-Apostilles.  

Single Authentication Certificate 

On July 21, 2025, the Connecticut Secretary of the State began issuing a single authentication certificate for all legalization requests. Every eligible document presented to the Connecticut Secretary of the State will receive the same treatment.

 

Individuals needing an apostille for international adoption, studying abroad, conducting global business, or other reasons must use the Office of the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s Online Apostille Application system at sots.service.ct.gov/apostille.

As of September 2, 2025, the Secretary of the State’s Authentication Unit will no longer accept paper order forms.

How do I submit a document for Authentication and Apostille?

Step 1. Prepare Your Documents

  • Use original or certified copies.
  • Ensure the documents are notarized by a Connecticut notary or certified by a Connecticut official.
  • Documents must be notarized or certified within the last 10 years and include an original signature and/or seal.

Step 2. Submit an Online Apostille Request

Step 3.

For e-Apostille you must upload the document to be processed digitally. 

For traditional paper apostille orders you will need to mail your documents to our office.

Organize the following documents to mail to our office:

  • Original or certified documents to be authenticated or apostilled.
  • Printed order receipt. If you cannot print the receipt, you must include your APO Work Order number with your documents.
  • A prepaid, pre-addressed return envelope or pre-paid shipping label. 
  Step 4. Deliver the document to our office:
Preferred Mailing Method Slower Mailing Method
If sending via FedEx, UPS, DHL, or hand-delivering: If sending via U.S. Postal Service:
Secretary of the State
Authentications and Apostilles
165 Capitol Avenue, Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106
 Secretary of the State
Authentications and Apostilles
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
 

Track Your Request

Use your online account to access real-time order tracking and secure messaging.

Processing Times:

  • Regular Orders are processed within 5–7 business days of the Authentication and Apostille Unit receiving the documents.
  • e-Apostille and Expedited Orders are processed within 24 hours of the Authentications and Apostille Unit receiving the documents.

Document to be Presented in a U.S. Territory:

Please note that the Connecticut Secretary of the State cannot issue an apostille or authentication for documents that will be presented in a U.S. territory (such as Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands).

Reason:

Apostilles and authentications are used to certify documents for use in foreign countries under the Hague Apostille Convention or through diplomatic legalization. Because U.S. territories are part of the United States, they are not considered foreign jurisdictions—therefore, legalization through apostille or authentication is not required or applicable.

If your document was properly notarized or issued by a Connecticut authority, it may be used directly in the U.S. territory without additional certification from our office.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between paper apostille vs. e-Apostille?

Paper Apostille

  • Issued as a physical certificate attached to the original document.
  • Requires submission of the original document to the Secretary of the State.
  • Returned by mail or courier service.
  • Standard processing time is 5–7 business days. (Expedited processing time is 24 hours.)
  • Required for certain document types, including vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and adoption certificates.

Electronic Apostille (e-Apostille)

  • Issued as a secure electronic certificate.
  • Delivered electronically and available for download.
  • Can be verified online through the Connecticut Apostille Verification Portal.
  • Processed within one (1) business day of receipt of a complete application.
  • Eliminates mailing delays and international shipping costs.
  • Not valid if printed.
  • May not be available for all document types.

Important Information About e-Apostilles

e-Apostilles are accepted by countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention; however, applicants should confirm acceptance requirements with the receiving agency or institution before ordering.

Vital records, including birth, death, marriage, and adoption certificates, are not eligible for e-Apostille services and require a traditional paper apostille.

 

How will you return the authenticated document back to me?

If you provide a prepaid shipping label for FedEx, UPS, DHL or the US Postal Service, we will return it using that method. If you do not provide prepaid shipping, we will return your document by first class mail. Excludes: International Mailing – Customer must provide a pre-paid shipping label.

What Documents can I have authenticated and apostilled?

 

We can only authenticate documents signed by a Connecticut state public official. 

  • Connecticut Notaries Public

  • Town Clerks and their duly appointed assistants and deputies

  • Local Registrars of Vital Statistics and their duly appointed assistants and deputies

  • Clerks and Assistant Clerks of the Superior and Probate Courts

  • Commissioners of Connecticut State Agencies

  • Justices of the Peace

What documents "cannot" be authenticated?

  • Documents signed by an out-of-state notary.

  • Documents issued by the federal government. These documents need to be submitted to the U.S. State Department.

  • Out-of-state vital records or court documents. These documents need to be submitted to the issuing state. 

  • Out-of-state school transcripts. These documents must be authenticated by the state in which the school is located.

  • Documents executed by an Attorney signed as a Commissioner of Superior Court.

Can a copy be authenticated?

Yes. The copy must be: (1) accompanied by a written statement affirming that the copy is true and accurate; (2) sworn to and signed before a Connecticut Notary Public.

Where do I obtain certified copies of vital records such as certificates of birth, death, and marriage?

Vital Records can be obtained by contacting your Town Clerk or the Department of Public Heath, Vital Records Unit.

How do I contact you?

Email: BSD@ct.gov

Phone: 860-509-6002 (option 4)

Customer support hours are Monday through Friday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm