How to Notarize and Authenticate Documents for the State of South Carolina Secretary of State? 518-956-5673

State of South Carolina Secretary of State Authentication Self-Service Guide

There are two types of Secretary of State authentication: 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 countries," only the "Certificate of Authentication" can be submitted to Chinese consulates across the United States.

If you don’t have time to handle it 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 from all 50 U.S. states, including consular three-level authentication or Hague Authentication, with expedited processing available—completed in as fast as 3 business days.

In-office or mail-in processing:

South Carolina Secretary of State
Authentication Office
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29201

Website: https://sos.sc.gov/services-and-filings

Reminders for Hague Authentication in South Carolina

To obtain a Hague Authentication from the office of South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond in Columbia, please note the following guidelines to ensure your documents are accepted:

Notes on Vital Records: South Carolina birth and death certificates must be issued by the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Division of Vital Records.
If you need copies of vital records, contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Division of Vital Records, 2600 Bull St, Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 898-3630.

Notes on Marriage Certificates: South Carolina marriage certificates must be issued and signed by the county probate judge or the Department of Health and Environmental Control office.
Documents signed by probate judges in Richland, Greenville, Horry, and Charleston counties are exempt, and their signatures are recognized for Hague Authentication or Authentication.

Notes on Divorce Decree Documents: Divorce decrees should bear the county seal from the clerk of the court where the divorce was executed. Please note that documents signed by deputies or assistants are not accepted for Hague Authentication or Authentication.

Notes on Notarized Documents: Notarization must be performed by a currently commissioned South Carolina notary public, ensuring the notary seal, date, and signature are present on the document.
If your document is written in any language other than English, it should be translated and notarized before submission to the Secretary of State.

Notes on Academic Records: Diplomas, transcripts, and report cards should be signed and notarized by the school principal or university registrar. We have extensive experience in obtaining Apostille certification for documents from institutions such as the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, Medical University of South Carolina, College of Charleston, Furman University, Winthrop University, Coastal Carolina University, and Wofford College.

Notes on Police Reports: Please request a notarized record check signed by South Carolina law enforcement, local sheriff, or police departments.
Please note that police records obtained online cannot be Apostilled or Authenticated; you need a physically signed document.

Notes on Other Documents: All documents signed by government officials and recorded with the Secretary of State can be used for Apostille or Authentication.

Documents commonly Apostilled or Authenticated in South Carolina include: birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates; articles of incorporation; bylaws; powers of attorney; diplomas; and transcripts.