Office of the Secretary of the State

Document Authentication and Apostille

An authentication 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.

Starting September 2, 2025, 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 until September 2, 2025?

1. Submit documents to be authenticated or apostilled

2. Complete the Authentication Order Form

3. Include the required fee:

$40 per authentication

$15 per authentication, if related to adoption of a child

Payments (Do Not Send Cash):

Personal Check and Money Order (Payable to "Secretary of the State") Credit Card and Debit Card

(Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express)

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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