Illinois Secretary of State Apostille 518-956-5673

Self-Service Guide for Notarization and Authentication by the Illinois Secretary of State

The Secretary of State offers two types of authentication: Apostille and Certificate of Authentication. An Apostille, also known as "Hague Authentication," is only valid within member countries of the Hague Convention. Since Chinese consulates are currently not part of the Hague Convention, documents submitted to Chinese consulates in the United States must use a "Certificate of Authentication."

If you don’t have time to handle the process yourself, you can contact CHV for代办 services. Call our customer service at 518-956-5673 (US). We provide notarization and authentication services for personal or corporate documents across all 50 U.S. states, including consular three-level authentication or Hague Authentication. Expedited processing is available, with completion in as fast as 3 business days.

In-Person Office Processing:

Illinois Secretary of State
Index Department
111 E. Monroe
Springfield, IL 62756
Phone: (217) 782-7017

Illinois Secretary of State
Index Department
17 N. State St. Suite 1030
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 814-2067

Mail-In Processing:
Illinois Secretary of State
Index Department
111 E. Monroe
Springfield, IL 62756
Phone: (217) 782-7017

Important Reminders for Illinois Authentication:

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, with the assistance of the Index Departments in Springfield and Chicago, issues Apostilles (for foreign use) or Authentication for documents issued in Illinois that are signed and certified by local/state registrars and notaries, or circuit or county clerks.

• Notes on Verifying Vital Records:

For birth, death, and marriage certificates issued in Illinois, first obtain a certified copy from the local registrar of the Illinois Department of Public Health or a certified copy from the county clerk. Marriage certificates must be certified copies from the county clerk.

If you need a new copy of a vital record from Illinois before obtaining a Hague Authentication, visit www.vitalchek.com to place an order.

• Notes on Authenticating Divorce Documents:

Divorce documents must be certified by the circuit court clerk to be eligible for an Apostille or Authentication with the Illinois Great Seal.

• Notes on Verifying School Records:

Diplomas and transcripts issued by the University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, University of Illinois Chicago, Northern Illinois University, DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Loyola University Chicago must be issued by the school registrar, signed by a school official, notarized, signed, and stamped with a rubber stamp, including a confirmation statement.

In most cases, you should submit a written request to the school for a newly issued copy of the diploma, as it may be damaged during the Hague Authentication process and is often unsuitable for reframing, while still needing to show ink and stamp marks.

• Notes on Authenticating Corporate Business Documents:

Business documents filed with the Illinois Secretary of State, such as certificates of incorporation, trademark registrations, articles of incorporation, and business organization documents, can receive an Apostille as long as they are notarized.

• Notes on Verifying Personal Private Documents:

Documents such as adoption records, deeds, police criminal background checks, and powers of attorney must be notarized as true and accurate copies.