How to Notarize and Authenticate Documents by the Missouri Secretary of State? 518-956-5673

Self-Service Guide for Notarization and Authentication by the Missouri 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, submissions to Chinese consulates across 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 agency services. 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 processing is available, with completion in as fast as 3 business days.

In-Person or Mail-in Processing:

Missouri Secretary of State
James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center
Commissions Division
600 West Main, Room 322
Jefferson City, MO 65101
St. Louis: 815 Olive Street, Suite 210, St. Louis, MO 63101 (314) 340-7490
Kansas City: 615 E. 13th St., Room 513, Kansas City, MO 64106 (816) 889-2925
Springfield: 149 Park Central Sq., Suite 624, Springfield, MO 65806 (417) 895-6330

Website: https://s1.sos.mo.gov/Business/Notary/Notary/certificate

Important Notes for Missouri Notarization and Authentication

To obtain a Hague Authentication issued by the Missouri Secretary of State, Jason Kander, in Jefferson City, please follow these guidelines:
Important Reminders:

• The birth certificate must be issued by the Missouri Bureau of Vital Statistics and signed by the State Registrar. If you need a new copy of the birth certificate, please contact the Bureau of Vital Records, Department of Health and Senior Services.
• The marriage certificate must be a certified copy issued by the marriage registration office or the Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• Divorce decree documents must be certified copies issued by the Circuit Clerk of the county where the divorce occurred. If you need a new copy, please contact the respective County Recorder.
• School documents issued by institutions such as Washington University in St. Louis, University of Missouri, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Saint Louis University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Webster University, and Missouri State University must be notarized and certified copies from the school registrar, with notarization on the back (not the front of the diploma).
• Notarized documents must include a complete notarial certificate, including the notarial acknowledgment, the notary seal, and the signature of the notary public in office.
• Other documents signed by Circuit Clerks, Recorders of Deeds, Judges, and County Clerks must be signed and/or sealed by the respective office.
• To request copies of court documents, please contact the respective County Clerk.