Arizona Secretary of State Apostille & Authentication 518-956-5673

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

There are two types of notarization and 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 Dakota Secretary of State
Authentications Division
600 E. Boulevard Ave. Dept. 108
Bismarck, ND 58505
Phone: (701) 328-2901

Fee: $10 per Hague Authentication, payable to "North Dakota Secretary of State"
Processing time: Same-day for counter service or 3 days for mail-in orders.
Website: http://www.nd.gov/sos/notaryserv/authentications-by-apostille.html

Reminders for Notarization and Authentication in North Dakota

To obtain an Apostille or Authentication for your documents from the North Dakota Secretary of State's office in Bismarck, currently headed by Alvin Jaeger, please follow these guidelines:

Notes on documents notarized by a North Dakota notary: The North Dakota Secretary of State's office will verify the validity of the notary's appointment before issuing an Apostille or Authentication.

Ensure your notarized document includes: a notarial certificate, also known as an acknowledgment (printed or handwritten), the notary's signature (matching the signature on the document), the date, the county where the notary is registered, and the expiration date of the appointment.

For certified copies of official documents, such as birth, death, or marriage certificates, these copies must be issued by the State Department of Health and Human Services (or the county clerk of the district court judge). Documents signed by Darin Meschke are acceptable for Apostille or Authentication.

If you need to order a new copy of a vital record (e.g., a birth certificate), contact the North Dakota Department of Health at (701) 328-2360 or via email at vitalrec@nd.gov.

For school records and academic documents, including those from North Dakota State University, University of North Dakota, Minot State University, Dickinson State University, and the University of Mary, request a copy of the transcript or diploma from the school principal or university registrar. It should include the student's full name, the academic year, the school's name and address, and a statement confirming the student has fully met the school's requirements.

If you need a new copy of court documents certified by a government official or notarized by a notary, contact the respective county.