Ohio puts apostilles in the records section of the Secretary of State, not in Business Services. That matters for company papers. A certificate of good standing comes from Business Services, and the apostille on top of it is a second step with a different desk. The fee on the state's list is $5.00.
The Ohio office guide covers company records. Our apostille guide explains the concept for all states. This page covers the Ohio request.
What does an Ohio apostille cost?
| Who issues it | Ohio Secretary of State, records section (ohiosos.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Fee per document | $5.00 listed for the Authentication/Apostille Request Form (ohiosos.gov, checked ) |
| How to submit | Mail the request to the address on the form, or file in person at the Client Service Center (ohiosos.gov, checked ) |
| Documents it covers | Only documents issued by an Ohio official or notarized by an Ohio notary public (ohiosos.gov, checked ) |
| Hague and non-Hague countries | Hague countries get an apostille. Other countries get an authentication that may need more checks by the US Department of State (ohiosos.gov, checked ) |
| Request page | ohiosos.gov/records/authentications-and-apostilles (ohiosos.gov, checked ) |
| Worth knowing | An apostille confirms the signature or seal only, not the content of the document (ohiosos.gov, checked ) |
The state lists the request form, number 8003, at $5.00. The page does not say whether that figure is charged for each document or for each form, so read the form before you pay. Checks are made payable to Ohio Secretary of State.
How do you submit the request?
The records section accepts forms two ways. You mail the form to the address printed on it. Or you file in person at the Secretary of State's Client Service Center. Download the Authentication/Apostille Request Form from the state's forms page, fill in the destination country, and add your documents and payment.
The state also publishes an Apostille Handbook. Read it if your document is unusual.
Which documents qualify?
The rule is narrow. The Secretary of State can apostille only a document issued by an Ohio official or notarized by an Ohio notary public. A paper from another state goes to that state. A federal paper goes to the US Department of State.
For a business, the typical items are a certified copy of formation papers, a certificate of good standing, or a notarized power of attorney or resolution. Our Ohio good standing guide shows how to get the certificate first. Notarize the other papers with an Ohio notary before you send them.
Apostille or authentication?
An apostille is for a country that belongs to the Hague Convention. Once issued, it is ready for international use. An authentication is for a country outside the Convention. These can need extra checks by the US Department of State, Office of Authentications, before the paper is accepted abroad.
Look up the destination on the Hague Conference list. If the country is not on it, ask for an authentication. The state says to confirm with the US State Department what further steps apply.
What an apostille does and does not do
It verifies a signature or seal on a public document, or the official capacity of the person who signed it. It does not confirm what the document says. The foreign office makes its own call on what it accepts, so ask the receiving agency what it wants.
An apostille cannot be used inside the United States.
Where to ask questions
The state's contact page lists the phone lines for the records section. Call before you travel to the Client Service Center, so that you know what the office wants to see.
If you want help with the paperwork, you can ask our private filing service. State fees are separate, and you can send the request to the state yourself.
Sources
- www.ohiosos.gov/business: office name, division. Checked .
- www.ohiosos.gov/office: officeholder. Checked .
- www.ohiosos.gov/assets/615.pdf: phone. Checked .
- businesssearch.ohiosos.gov/: business search, search fields, status terms. Checked .
- www.ohiosos.gov/business/ohio-business-roadmap/starting-a-business/guide-to-name-availability: name check. Checked .
- codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1701.05: name rule. Checked .
- www.ohiosos.gov/assets/534b.pdf: name reservation fee, name reservation form. Checked .
- www.ohiosos.gov/assets/business-start-a-llc.pdf: name reservation term. Checked .
- www.ohiosos.gov/business/business-filing-forms: LLC filing fee, corporation filing fee, nonprofit filing fee, foreign LLC fee, expedite fees, online filing, good standing certificate, certificate fee. Checked .
- www.ohiosos.gov/business/ohio-business-roadmap/frequently-asked-questions: report fee, report due date. Checked .
- www.ohiosos.gov/records/forms-fees/: who issues it, fee per document, how to submit. Checked .
- www.ohiosos.gov/records/authentications-and-apostilles/: documents it covers, hague and non-hague countries, request page, worth knowing. Checked .