When a Maryland notary signs your document, the Secretary of State does not check that notary directly. The Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the notary is commissioned must first certify that the notary was in good standing on the date of signing. Only then will the Secretary of State issue the apostille.
Documents sent straight to Annapolis without the clerk's certificate are returned. This is the most common reason Maryland apostille requests fail.
- Sign before a Maryland notaryThe notary's stamp names their county.
- Clerk of the Circuit Court (notary’s county)Authenticates the notary · about $1 per document
- Maryland Secretary of State16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 · $5 per document
- Apostille attachedValid in every Hague Convention country
Documents that need the county clerk
- Affidavit of single status or eligibility to marry
- Affidavit of support
- Parental consent for a minor's travel or passport
- Power of attorney (general, special, real estate)
- Notarized copy of a diploma or transcript
- Registrar's verification letter
- Board resolution or certificate of incumbency
- Letter of authorization or agency agreement
- Employment verification letter
- Bank reference letter
- Doctor's or medical letter
- Translator's affidavit of accuracy
- Home study and reference letters for adoption
- Declarations and sworn statements of any kind
Guides by document
| Document | Who signs before the notary |
|---|---|
| Power of Attorney | You sign it in front of a Maryland notary public |
| Affidavits and Sworn Statements | You sign it in front of a Maryland notary public |
| Travel Consent Letter for a Minor | The parent signs it in front of a Maryland notary public |
| Diploma | Your school's registrar signs a statement in front of a Maryland notary |
| Transcript | Your school's registrar, with a notarized statement |
| Company Resolutions and Certificates | A company officer signs in front of a Maryland notary |
| Notarized Letters and Copies | The signer, in front of a Maryland notary |
Before you take it to the clerk
- Find the notary's county. It is printed on the notary stamp or written in the notarial certificate. Only that county's clerk can authenticate the notary.
- Check the notarial certificate. It needs the venue (state and county), date, signer's name, notary's signature, seal and commission expiration date.
- Check the commission date. The notary's commission must have been valid on the day of signing.
- Keep the pages together. Don't remove staples after notarization.
- Bring the fee. Clerks generally charge $1 per document and accept cash, check or card in person, check or money order by mail.
Find your county clerk
Central Maryland
Capital Region
Southern Maryland
Western Maryland
Eastern Shore
Questions
Which Maryland documents need the county clerk before the apostille?
Every document notarized by a Maryland notary public. That includes powers of attorney, affidavits, travel consent letters, notarized diploma and transcript copies, and company resolutions. The Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the notary is commissioned authenticates the notary first.
How do I know which county clerk to use?
Look at the notary's stamp or the notarial certificate. It names the county where the notary is commissioned. That county's clerk is the only one that can authenticate the notary, even if you signed somewhere else in Maryland.
Can the Secretary of State send my document to the clerk for me?
No. You or your service must get the clerk's certificate first, then submit to the Secretary of State.