In Louisiana, the Secretary of State's Commercial Division handles the authentication of public documents through two primary methods: apostilles and certifications.
Apostilles are used for documents destined for countries that are part of the Hague Convention.
Certifications are required for documents going to countries not participating in the Hague Convention.
To obtain an apostille in Louisiana, you can submit your request either by mail or in person. The requirements include:
Original Document: Submit the original notarized or certified document.
Contact Information: Provide your full contact details.
Destination Country: Specify the foreign country where the document will be used.
The state fee for each authentication is $20. Please note that Louisiana can only authenticate signatures on documents issued within the state. For documents issued in other states, such as Articles of Incorporation, you’ll need to contact the Secretary of State in the issuing state.
Yes, Louisiana requires the original certified or notarized document to issue an apostille. This step is crucial to ensure the document’s validity in the foreign country where it will be used.
When conducting business internationally or handling personal matters abroad, an apostille or certification may be required for various documents, including but not limited to:
Corporate filings (e.g., Articles of Incorporation)
Diplomas and degrees
Job applications
Marital and adoption documents
Deeds and contracts
For documents not covered by the Hague Convention, a certification may be necessary, which might require further processing by the U.S. Department of State or the destination country’s embassy.
Which countries accept apostilles?
Apostilles are recognized by countries participating in the Hague Convention. For a complete list of these countries, please visit the Hague Conference on Private International Law's Status Table.
Do I need an apostille or a certification?
If your document is intended for a country participating in the Hague Convention, an apostille is required. For non-participating countries, a certification is necessary, often followed by additional steps involving the U.S. Department of State or an embassy.
Before applying for an apostille in Louisiana, ensure your document is properly notarized. Notarization might be required at different jurisdictional levels, including city, county, or state. Verify which authority is responsible for notarization to avoid delays.
Digital Document Submission Guidelines:
Before submitting your document, please ensure it is in digital format. Corporate documents are categorized into three cases:
Corporate Documents
Case A: If your document falls under this category, it is ready for digital submission without the need for notarization.
Case B: Documents in this category must be notarized first, then scanned and submitted as digital files.
Case C: These documents cannot be submitted digitally. They require notarization and must be physically sent to the U.S. Legalization office.
If your document's title is not listed, please contact us for further assistance.
Document Categories:
Case A:
Articles of Incorporation
Business License
Certificate of Existence
Certificate of Incorporation
Certificate of Registration
Certificate of Status
Good Standing Certificate
Amendments Certificate (issued by a corporation office)
Document Printed from a Website (source must be provided)
Technical Data Sheet
Case B:
Agency Agreement
Business Letter
Certificate of Analysis
Distribution Agreement
Declaration of Conformity
Export Declaration
Manufacturing License
Operating Agreement
Supplier Certificate
Case C:
For more information or to submit your apostille request, you can reach the Louisiana Secretary of State's Commercial Division:
Physical Address: 8585 Archives Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125
Phone: (225) 925-4704
Fax: (225) 932-5314
Website: Louisiana Secretary of State
For online services such as business name searches or form submissions, visit the Louisiana Online Filing System.
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