North Carolina Secretary of State Authentication 518-956-5673

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

There are two types of authentication by the Secretary of State: Apostille and Certificate of Authentication. Apostille, also known as "Hague Authentication," can only be used within member countries of the Hague Convention. Since Chinese consulates are currently not part of the "Hague Convention member countries," only the "Certificate of Authentication" can be submitted to Chinese consulates in the United States.

If you do not have time to handle it yourself, you can contact CHV for assistance at 1-518-956-5673 (US). We provide notarization and authentication services for personal or corporate documents from all 50 states in the U.S., 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:

North Carolina Secretary of State
Authentication Office
2 South Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 807-2140

Fee: $10 per Hague Authentication. (Payable to "Secretary of State of North Carolina")
Processing Time: Same-day for counter service or 14 days for mail-in orders.
Website: http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/authen/

Reminders for Notarization and Authentication in North Carolina

We are pleased to assist you in obtaining Hague Authentication or Authentication for your notarized or certified documents from the office of North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall in Raleigh, North Carolina.

We provide Hague Authentication or Authentication for birth, marriage, and death certificates, court documents, notarized documents, and academic records from North Carolina. If your document is not in English, please provide a certified translation.

North Carolina’s Hague Authentication uses adhesive backing, which differs slightly from other states but is fully legal and complies with the regulations of the Hague Convention.

Considerations for certified documents: For example, birth and death certificates must be issued by the North Carolina Division of Public Health or the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. We can also authenticate documents signed by the Register of Deeds, Legislative Services, or the Attorney General’s Office. Documents signed by State Registrar Gustavo Fernandez are acceptable.

If you need a new copy of vital records, please contact: North Carolina Vital Records. Memorial Health Building, 225 N. McDowell Street, Raleigh, N.C., Phone: 919-733-3526, http://vitalrecords.nc.gov/order.htm

Considerations for notarized documents: Documents issued by a North Carolina notary must include the notary statement (acknowledgment), signature, and notary seal. Clearly state the state and county where the document was executed and the notary’s commission term.

Considerations for divorce documents: Must be issued by the Clerk of the Superior Court or County Clerk where the divorce was granted.

Academic records such as transcripts and diplomas from Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, Wake Forest University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Appalachian State University must be notarized by a North Carolina notary. Please contact your school’s registrar to obtain them.