What is an Apostille?

An Apostille is an international certification of documents that are destined for countries that are members of The Hague Convention.

What is an Authentication?

An Authentication is a certification of documents that are destined for countries that are not members of The Hague Convention. Depending on the individual territory or country, Authentications may need to be sent to the U.S. Department of State for further authentication. Please check with the individual territory or country to determine if your document needs to be sent to the U.S. Department of State for further authentication.

What is a Notary Good Standing?

A Notary Good Standing certificate is signed by the Secretary of State and certifies the Delaware Notary Public is in Good Standing. Some territories or countries require this document as proof of the notary’s appointment. Before you request this certificate, please check with the territory or country where you will be filing your notarized document for their requirements.

What is Commercial Use?

Documents intended to be used for business transactions, and not personal reasons, will be deemed as commercial.

What is Non-Commercial Use?

Documents intended to be used for personal reasons will be deemed as non-commercial.  Some examples of non-commercial reasons include, but is not limited to, adoptions, dual citizenship, etc.

Prepare your Documents for Submission

The Division of Corporations can authenticate or Apostille documents signed by a Delaware notary or Delaware Public Official. Any document that is in a foreign language must provide an English translation. Both the foreign language and the English versions must be notarized.  All certificates issued by the Delaware Secretary of State or any Delaware Public Official will be in the English language, the Division of Corporations does not provide translation services.

  • Documents filed with the Secretary of State – Whenever an apostille is requested for documents that have been filed with the Secretary of State, each document must be certified separately. Documents that have been certified under a one-cover certification are not acceptable for the issuance of the apostille.
  • Notarized documents – When a Delaware notary public notarizes a document that will be filed in another territory or country, the notary may be asked for proof of his or her appointment. This verification, depending upon the requirements of the territory or country, may be obtained from the Delaware Secretary of State, Division of Corporations. The individual for whom the notarization was completed should check with the territory or country for their requirements. Please be advised we will not accept documents that are notarized remotely or electronically for apostille.  The Division of Corporations does not provide notarial services.
  • Public Official Signatures – The Delaware Secretary of State, Division of Corporations also provides authentication of documents bearing Delaware Public Officials’ signatures. If the document is to be used outside the United States, the country of destination determines whether the certification is an apostille or authentication. Please note that publicly recorded documents must be official copies of the issuing Delaware State or County official, these documents are never notarized.
  • Notary Good Standing – Some territories or countries require this document as proof of the notary’s appointment. Before you request this certificate, please check with the territory or country where you will be filing your notarized document for their requirements.

Documents that cannot be Apostilled or Authenticated at the Delaware Division of Corporations:

  • Out-of-state documents, this includes notarized by out-of-state notaries or official public documents issued by a state or country that is not in Delaware.
  • Federal documents that have been signed and sealed by a federal agency or federal court.
  • Photocopied documents.
  • Documents issued by a foreign country.
  • Documents that will be used within the individual states of United States of America. This does not include United States territories and possessions.

Information for Delaware citizens needing Apostilles or Authentications on document issued by Delaware Public Officials.