Step 1 – Obtain the Original Documents
You must obtain the original Diploma and official Transcripts issued by the educational institution.
- Photocopies or Certified copies will not be accepted.
Step 2 – Have the School Authenticate the Documents before a Notary Public
A school official must prepare a statement for each document (Diploma and Transcripts) certifying its authenticity.
The statement may be typed on official letterhead and then attached to the original document OR handwritten directly on the back of the original document, and should indicate that the document is in fact the original.
An example of acceptable wording is:
“This is the original Diploma/Transcript issued to [Student Name] by [Name of School].”
[Name of School Official]
[Tile of School Official]
[Signature of School Official]
The school official must sign the above certification statement in the presence of a Notary Public, who will also affix their own Jurat Statement.
The Notary Public does not certify the educational document itself. Rather, the Notary Public is there to authenticate the signature of the school official.
Step 3 – Obtain an Apostille
After the school official’s signature has been notarized, the document must be submitted to the appropriate office of the Secretary of State, for the issuance of an Apostille.
The Secretary of State will attach the Apostille to the Original document presented.
The Apostille is the final authentication required before the documents can be submitted for a Declaration of Value, and must remain attached to the original document.