Apostille & Authentication Requests

Apostille authentications are often called "legalizations," sometimes "incumbencies" or "certifications." An Apostille is a form of authentication appropriate to countries which have signed the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. They are often needed in adoptions, extraditions, applications for jobs or graduate programs abroad, and certain business transactions. The essence of these documents is an official statement that an office-holder held a particular office at a particular time.

A more comprehensive description of the Apostille is available on the Travel.State.Gov website. The listing of countries who are signatories is at the Hague Conference website.

Authentication certificates are issued for the same purpose as Apostilles but for use in countries that are not members of the 1961 Hauge Convention Treaty.

To be able to issue authentications, the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office keeps on file the certificate to confirm the commission of notaries public. This certificate is attached to documents intended for use in foreign countries. It certifies the authenticity of the signature and the capacity in which the person signing the document has acted. More information may be found at the North Dakota Secretary of State's Office.

Instructions

To obtain an Apostille/Authentication, please forward the following documents to the Office of Registration and Records, Attn: Apostille Request, NDSU Dept. 2801, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050.

1. An official NDSU transcript – ordering instructions below
2. Original NDSU diploma – ordering instructions below
3. A letter—addressed to the Secretary of State in North Dakota—which clearly states:
   1. The country in which the document will be used
   2. Name and contact information of an individual to contact with any questions
   3. Specific instructions as to where the authentication is to be mailed
4. A check/money order for $15 U.S. funds made payable to the ND Secretary of State
5. Once the NDSU Office of Registration and Records receives the above documents, they will be processed with the necessary certifications and verifications and forwarded to the North Dakota Secretary of State's office.

Ordering Instructions

To place an order for a transcript and/or diploma, order online through Campus Connection or Parchment.

1. Select either Transcript or Diploma
2. Click “I’m sending to myself or another individual”
3. Select “I’m sending this order to another individual”
4. Click Print & Mailed as the delivery destination.
5. Enter this address for the recipient: NDSU Registration and Records, Attn: Apostille Request, NDSU Dept. 2801, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050
6. Complete order information as requested. When you reach the Order Summary page, click “Add another item” to repeat the above steps to order the remaining document(s) or proceed to step 7.
7. When you have completed the steps, you will click Continue to proceed to payment.

Processing

Please allow 4-6 weeks to complete this process from the time orders are placed until all documents are returned to you. This time frame ensures that all necessary steps can be carried out thoroughly and potential delays can be accounted for, especially if mailing internationally.