How to obtain an Apostille or Certification
Starting Monday, October 17th, 2022, Apostilles & Certifications will be handled in room 201 of the North Office Building. Customers can have apostilles and certifications processed in-person.
The Department of State's drop box is still available 24/7. It is labeled "The Department of State", a royal blue color, and is located across the street from the Department on North Street at the entrance of the Keystone Building.
Processing time for the drop box is five (5) to seven (7) business days. Of note, processing time does not include mailing time.
For requests that come in through the mail, processing time for mail-in requests is at least 10 - 15 business days.
- Your documents must be signed by and contain the seal of the Pennsylvania official who is the custodian of the record or a Pennsylvania notary public. NOTE: Diplomas, transcripts and criminal record checks must be notarized prior to requesting an apostille or certification. Birth certificates do not need to be and should not be notarized.
- Mail your documents to the Department of State along with a cover letter that includes your name and full mailing address or you may use our Request for Legalization of Documents form.
- Identify in the cover letter the country where the documents will be used.
- Enclose a personal check, money order or cashier's check made payable to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" in the amount of $15 per document. Checks and money orders must be issued by a U.S. institution or, if issued by a foreign bank, must be in U.S. dollars and contain a routing number. Cash cannot be accepted by mail.
- For Certificates of Good Standing for Notaries Public, write a letter requesting a Certificate of Good Standing and providing the full notary name and commission ID, if known, your name and full mailing address and payment in the amount of $15 per certificate.
- Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your documents. If you wish the order to be returned by a courier service, you must enclose a prepaid air bill with your order. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your documents. If you wish the order to be returned by a courier service, you must enclose a prepaid air bill with your order. Effective October 1, 2009, the Department no longer accepts FedEx or DHL for the return shipment of documents. NOTE: If requesting your documents to be returned via UPS (United Parcel Service), please list yourself as the sender and recipient on the air bill that you will be providing. Otherwise, the air bill will be changed accordingly.
Pennsylvania Department of State
Bureau of Notaries, Commissions & Legislation
North Office Building, Room 201
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0029
- Processing time for mail-in requests is typically less than five (5) business days. See notice at the top of the page as to current processing time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Processing time does not include mailing time.
- Walk-in requests are accepted from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday (except State holidays). Since walk-in requests are processed while the requestor waits, you are encouraged to arrive by 4:00 PM so your documents are processed before the end of the business day. If using a GPS device for driving directions, please use 401 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120 for the street address. See notice at the top of the page as to drop box services in lieu of walk-in services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Questions concerning apostilles or certifications may be directed to the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation by calling (717) 787-5280, by email: RA-CERTIFICATIONS@pa.gov or by writing to the address listed above.
