Ky.gov

Apostilles an​d Authentications

​​​​​​The Kentucky Secretary of State has adopted a single certificate for Apostille and Authentication of all public documents issued in this state. For more information, click here​.

​​​​​​​​​Apostilles and Authentications ​

An Apostille or Authentication is a certification of the official signature on a public document for use in a foreign country.  The Kentucky Secretary of State certifies official signatures on public documents issued in this state.  Public documents issued in another state, foreign government, or the United States government must be legalized in that jurisdiction.

Before submitting a request for Apostille or Authentication, read carefully below to ensure that you have the required signatures on your document. Requests for documents that do not have the required signatures will be rejected.

Vital Records: 

Vital Records (certificates of birth, marriage, divorce, and single status) from the Kentucky State Registrar of Vital Statistics must bear the signature of the current State Registrar. 

To obtain a current certified copy of a Vital Record, contact the Office of Vital Statistics: (502) 564-4212

Notarized Documents: 

Documents notarized in paper format: the principle signature on the document must be notarized by a Kentucky Notary Public and the notary's signature must be certified by the County Clerk where the notary is registered.

  • School records, such as transcripts and diplomas: the signature of the school official must be notarized by a Kentucky Notary Public and the notary's signature must be certified by the County Clerk where the notary is registered.  Many schools will issue notarized records.  Contact the school directly for more information.
  • Kentucky criminal background checks: the signature of the issuing official must be notarized by a Kentucky Notary Public and the notary's signature must be certified by the County Clerk where the notary is registered.
    • A notarized background check may be obtained from the Kentucky State Police: (502) 227-2221.  You must specifically request a notarized background check.  The notary's signature must then be certified by the County Clerk where the notary is registered.
    • Background checks from the Administrative Office of the Courts lack the requisite signatures and are therefore unable to be apostillized or authenticated directly.
    • FBI background checks must be apostillized or authenticated by the US Dept of State.
  • An Affidavit of True Copy may be attached to a document that cannot otherwise be notarized.
    • The affidavit must be a sworn statement that the document is true and unaltered.  The affidavit must be signed by the affiant whose signature must be notarized by a Kentucky Notary Public, and the notary's signature must be certified by the County Clerk where the notary is registered.
    • You must check with the consulate or embassy to whom the document is being presented to be sure an Affidavit of True Copy will be acceptable.

Documents notarized electronically: the document must be in PDF format and electronically notarized by an authorized Kentucky Online Notary Public.  These documents do not require certification of the notary's signature by the county clerk.  Electronically notarized documents must be submitted directly through the online portal. Submit a request electronically.​

County Clerk Records:

Certified copies of records issued by a Kentucky County Clerk must be signed by a current County Clerk or Deputy Clerk. 

Circuit / District Court Records:

Court records issued by a Kentucky Circuit Court Clerk must be submitted to the corresponding County Clerk for certification of the Circuit Clerk's signature.  Contact the County Clerk for additional requirements.

Federal Documents:

FBI Background checks, IRS records, Passports, and other documents issued by the United States Federal Government must be apostillized or authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. 

Documents issued by a U.S. District Court must be apostillized or authenticated directly by the court that issued the document.  ​

How to Submit a Request for Apostille or Authentication

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By mail:

Mail your document(s) with a completed request form and fee of $5 per document to the address on the request form.

Request Form​

Mailed-in requests are completed within 3 business days and will be mailed to you via USPS 1st Class mail.

To expedite return mail and add tracking, you may include a self-addressed prepaid FedEx, UPS, or USPS Priority label with your request.

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Walk-in:

Bring your document(s) and fee of $5 per document to 700 Capital Avenue Ste 152.

Hours: 8- 4pm Mon – Fri

Walk-in requests are completed as you wait and will be handed back to you directly.

 

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Electronically:

To submit an electronic file (PDF) and pay the fee electronically, click here​.

The e-Apostille or Authentication will be issued in PDF format and will be sent to you via email.

Additional information on e-Apostille is provided by the Hague Convention.

*This option is not available for Vital Records.​


​ Additional Information

For additional information regarding apostilles or authentications, please contact the Office of the Secretary of State:

  • phone: (502) 564-3490
  • fax: (502) 564-5687
  • email
  • mail:  Office of the Secretary of State
             Authentications and Apostilles
             P.O. Box 718
             Frankfort, KY 40602​

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