In Oregon, apostilles come from the Secretary of State, through the Corporation Division in Salem. The state calls the service authentication, and it says some countries call the result an apostille. The fee is $10 for each one.
The same division keeps Oregon's business register, so company papers and apostilles reach the same address. You can read about that side of the office in the Oregon office guide. Our apostille guide explains the idea for all states.
When do you need an Oregon apostille?
You need one when a document will be used in a foreign country and that country wants extra proof that the notarization or official certification is real. The office does the checking by adding a certificate to your document.
For a company, the usual items are a Certificate of Existence, which is Oregon's good standing paper, or a certified copy of the articles. A foreign registry or bank often asks for these. The state says a Certificate of Existence can be ordered online and received in minutes. Our certificate of good standing guide explains the idea for all states.
How much does an Oregon apostille cost?
| Who issues it | Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division, in Salem (sos.oregon.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Fee per document | $10 for each apostille (sos.oregon.gov, checked ) |
| How to submit | Send the original notarized document with the Request for Authentication form, using the office delivery options (sos.oregon.gov, checked ) |
| Turnaround | FedEx or UPS overnight or 2nd day deliveries get priority handling, 2 to 3 business days (sos.oregon.gov, checked ) |
| Documents it covers | Notarized documents, certified vital records, and notarized school transcripts or diplomas (sos.oregon.gov, checked ) |
| Hague and non-Hague countries | Oregon uses the Model Apostille Certificate of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (sos.oregon.gov, checked ) |
| Request page | sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/how-to-get-authentication-apostille.aspx (sos.oregon.gov, checked ) |
| Where to send it | 255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151, Salem, OR 97310 (sos.oregon.gov, checked ) |
| Worth knowing | Photocopies are not accepted, and the document must include a complete notarial certificate. (sos.oregon.gov, checked ) |
The fee applies to each apostille. Three notarized papers need three apostilles, which is $30. One request form is enough if you clearly list the documents on it.
Which documents Oregon will apostille
The office handles three groups.
- An Oregon notarization. You submit the original notarized document. A photocopy is not accepted, and the notarial certificate must be complete.
- An Oregon vital record, such as a birth or death certificate. You first order an original certified copy from the Oregon Center for Health Statistics or the county. County copies must show the clerk's printed name.
- An Oregon transcript or diploma. The registrar signs a statement on the record, and the statement is notarized.
How to submit your request
- Prepare the original document, notarized or certified as above.
- Fill in the Request for Authentication form and say which country will receive the document.
- Pay the fee for each apostille. For mailed requests, the office takes a check or a credit card with its Credit Card Cover Sheet.
- Send everything to the Corporation Division at 255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151, Salem, OR 97310, or bring it to the front desk.
The front desk is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office advises you to arrive by 4:00 p.m. for same day processing, and says some requests take longer.
How long does it take?
The office does not promise one number. Walk in service is the fastest. For mail, allow seven to ten days for delivery to the office. Documents sent by FedEx or UPS overnight or two day delivery get priority handling and are processed in 2 to 3 business days. USPS Priority Mail gets normal handling.
For the return trip, include a prepaid, printed label from a carrier. A handwritten label cannot be used, and the document would come back by regular mail. For a destination abroad, the office asks for a prepaid printed DHL label.
Hague and other countries
Oregon issues its certificate in the Hague model format. If the destination country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, that format is what it expects. Countries outside the convention set their own rules, so ask the receiving agency what else it needs.
If you would like help, you can ask our private filing service. State fees are separate, and you can send the request to the state yourself.
Sources
- sos.oregon.gov/pages/contact-us.aspx: office name, contact page. Checked .
- sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/faq.aspx: division, street address, hours, processing time, registered agent rule. Checked .
- sos.oregon.gov/Pages/default.aspx: officeholder. Checked .
- sos.oregon.gov/business/Documents/business-registry-forms/br-fee-schedule.pdf: mailing address, phone, LLC filing fee, corporation filing fee, nonprofit filing fee, foreign LLC fee, report fee, assumed names (DBA). Checked .
- sos.oregon.gov/business/pages/find.aspx: business search, search fields. Checked .
- sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/name-availability-help.aspx: name check, search disclaimer, name rule, status terms. Checked .
- sos.oregon.gov/business/information-center/pages/select-business-name-structure.aspx: LLC name endings. Checked .
- www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors060.html: corporation name endings. Checked .
- www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors063.html: restricted words. Checked .
- sos.oregon.gov/business/Documents/business-registry-forms/name-reservation.pdf: name reservation fee, name reservation term, name reservation form. Checked .
- sos.oregon.gov/business/pages/obr-annual-report-renewal.aspx: report due date, online filing. Checked .
- sos.oregon.gov/business/register/pages/business-registry-certificates.aspx: good standing certificate, certificate fee, certificate ordering. Checked .
- sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/associated-name-search.aspx: search tips. Checked .
- sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/how-to-get-authentication-apostille.aspx: who issues it, fee per document, how to submit, documents it covers, hague and non-hague countries, request page, where to send it, worth knowing. Checked .
- sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/delivery-options.aspx: turnaround. Checked .