A Minnesota document may need an apostille before it can be accepted abroad. Issued by the Secretary of State, this certificate authenticates the signature and authority of the notary or public official who signed the record and, when applicable, the seal or stamp it carries.
The destination country determines the full process. For a Hague Apostille Convention country, a Minnesota Secretary of State apostille generally completes the authentication process. For a non-Hague destination, state-level certification is only the first step, and the document may then require authentication by the U.S. Department of State and embassy or consular legalization.
The Secretary of State handles eligible documents originating in Minnesota. These may include certified vital records, properly prepared county and court records, certified business filings, academic documents, and papers notarized by a Minnesota notary public.
