Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Apostille 518-956-5673

Self-Service Guide for Pennsylvania Secretary of State Authentication and Apostille 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 "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代办 services. We provide authentication services for personal or corporate documents from 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:

Pennsylvania Department of State
Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation
Room 210 North Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0029

Website: www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Certifications_Apostilles

Reminders for Pennsylvania Authentication Processing

Please note the following precautions to ensure your documents are accepted for Hague Authentication or Authentication by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Secretary in Harrisburg.

Precautions for official documents: Must be signed and sealed by a Pennsylvania government official who is the custodian of vital records.

Precautions for documents issued at the county level: Must be signed by the county clerk. Note that documents signed by an assistant or deputy clerk are not accepted for Hague Authentication.

Precautions for marriage records: To obtain Hague Authentication, marriage certificates must be issued and signed by the Orphans' Court Clerk or Register of Wills. Note that marriage certificates signed by officials or clergy are insufficient.

Precautions for vital records: Documents such as birth and death certificates must be issued/signed by the State Registrar, Marina O'Reilly Matthew. Note that birth or death certificates issued by local registrars are not accepted.

For a new copy of a birth certificate
Please contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
110 North 8th Street; Suite 108
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 560-3054

Precautions for school records: Diplomas, transcripts, and school records issued by institutions such as Pennsylvania State University, University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Drexel University, Temple University, Swarthmore College, Lehigh University, Bryn Mawr College, Bucknell University, Villanova University, and others must be notarized by a Pennsylvania notary public. Please contact your school registrar to request a notarized copy.