Contact: sospress@wisconsin.gov 

Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski: Secretary of State’s office Announces Implementation of Universal Apostille Certificate

New Apostille certificates are more secure and more efficient

Madison, WI – Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski is pleased to announce another completed step in modernizing and improving the Secretary of State’s office’s Apostille services. Earlier this year the office began accepting electronic payments for counter service increasing convenience and payment flexibility.

The Wisconsin Secretary of State’s Office serves a vital role in supporting the state’s businesses, families, and local governments. In 2024, the office issued over 15,000 Apostilles and Authentications, enabling families to complete international adoptions, students to study abroad, and businesses to expand into global markets. 

“The universal certificate makes processing Apostilles more efficient and the redesign ensures that these certificates are more secure and verifiable for our customers’ needs,” Godlewski said.

The updated certificate comes into compliance with the newest guidance from the Hague, pivoting to tri-lingual language and a universal application.  The new language also provides instructions for accessing a newly implemented e-Registry, which allows recipients to verify authenticity.

Apostilles and Authentications are certificates that are affixed to documents intended for international use. Utilizing the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin, the Office of the Secretary of State affixes these certificates to documents such as Wisconsin Vital records, notarized documents, school transcripts, court documents, corporate and adoption paperwork, and more. 

“This is just another step towards delivering more modern and efficient services for Wisconsin families and businesses,” Godlewski said. “More modernized services are on the horizon including online Apostille ordering, online payments, a revamped public records portal, and more!”