Kansas Secretary of State Authentication 518-956-5673

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

The Secretary of State offers two types of authentication: Apostille and Certificate of Authentication. 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 the "Certificate of Authentication."

If you don’t have time to handle the process yourself, you can contact CHV for代办 services or call our customer service at 1-518-956-5673 (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 services are available, with completion in as fast as 3 business days.

In-Person or Mail-In Processing:

Kansas Secretary of State
Attn: Notary Clerk/Certifications
Memorial Hall, 1st Floor
120 SW 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1594
Phone: (785) 296-2239

Fee: $7.50 per Hague Authentication
Processing Time: Same-day for counter service or 3 days for mail-in orders.
Website: https://www.kssos.org/business/notary_public/certifications.html

Reminders for Kansas Authentication Processing

In Topeka, Kansas Secretary of State Kris W. Kobach and notaries will issue Hague Authentication or Authentication based on the following considerations:

• Court Documents: Documents such as divorce decrees and court judgments must be certified copies issued by the state court.
• Vital Records: Examples include birth, marriage, and death certificates, which must be signed by the Kansas State Registrar of the Department of Health and Environment’s Office of Vital Statistics.
• Notarized Documents: Must include handwritten signatures, dates, seals, and a complete notarial certificate. Note that errors in the notarization may disqualify the document for Hague Authentication.
• For a "Certificate of No Marriage Record" (also known as a Single Status Affidavit), request a marriage license search and specify the number of years to be searched. If you were previously married and divorced, prepare copies of these documents for the search.