Midwest · OH
The Buckeye State
How to get an apostille in Ohio
In Ohio, apostilles are issued by the Ohio Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications. Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a Ohio apostille looks like.
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- Columbus
- Governor (2026)
- Mike DeWine
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- Scarlet Carnation
- State bird
- Northern Cardinal
Apostille signed by Ohio Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications
Step-by-step: an apostille in Ohio
- 01
Confirm the document is Ohio-issued or notarized by an Ohio notary public.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the Ohio Secretary of State authenticates the notary's commission, not your signature directly. Vital records and court documents skip this step (they are certified by the issuing office instead).
- 03
For vital records, obtain a certified copy from the Ohio Department of Health (Bureau of Vital Statistics) or the local registrar.
- 04
Complete the apostille/certification request and identify the destination country.
- 05
Submit by mail or in person with the fee and a prepaid return envelope.
- 06
Receive your apostille or certificate of authentication.
Ohio apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | Ohio Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications |
|---|---|
| State fee | $5 per document (verify current fee) |
| Processing time | Mail-in is typically 1–2 weeks; in-person service is available in Columbus and at regional client-service centers. |
| Mailing / submission | Mail to the Ohio Secretary of State, in Columbus (verify the current address online). Regional client-service centers also provide in-person help. Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage. |
Documents commonly apostilled in Ohio
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates (certified copies from the state vital-records office)
- Divorce decrees and court orders (certified by the clerk of court)
- Powers of attorney and affidavits (signed before a notary)
- Single-status / no-record affidavits for marriage abroad
- Diplomas, transcripts, and degree certificates
- Corporate documents — articles of incorporation, good-standing certificates, board resolutions
- Commercial and export documents
Federal documents (such as an FBI background check) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not by Ohio.
Specimen
What a Ohio apostille looks like
A Ohio apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the Ohio Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications as the issuing authority. Below is an illustrative specimen — it is not a valid document and contains no real data.
See specimens for all states →- 1.Country United States of America
- 2.has been signed by [NAME OF SIGNER]
- 3.acting in the capacity of [CAPACITY — e.g. Notary Public]
- 4.bears the seal / stamp of [ISSUING OFFICIAL / SEAL]
- 5.at [CITY / PLACE]
- 6.the [DATE]
- 7.by Ohio Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
Ohio apostille FAQ
- Where can I get an apostille in Ohio?
- The Ohio Secretary of State handles apostilles, with service in Columbus and at regional client-service centers plus a mail-in option.
- How much is an Ohio apostille?
- Ohio's per-document fee is commonly around $5. Confirm the current fee on the Secretary of State's page.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the Ohio apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the Ohio Secretary of State — Apostilles & Certifications via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.
Need it done for you?
Rather not deal with the Ohio paperwork yourself?
This guide is free to use. If you’d like a service to prepare, notarize where needed, and submit your documents for you — including federal documents and translations — tell us what you need and we’ll point you to the right help.