Information found on

https://www.dos.ny.gov/licensing/apostille.html

What type of certification must my document(s) contain before requesting an Apostille or a Certificate of Authentication from the New York Department of State?

 

• Birth, Death, Marriage and Certificate of Divorce certificates submitted to the New York Department of State for an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication must first be certified by either a New York State Official or a County Clerk. Apostilles/Certificates of Authentication will not be issued without this certification.

 

• • Please Note: Birth and death certificates issued from the New York City Department of Health will also require a Letter of Exemplification. Therefore you must request a Letter of Exemplification when requesting a birth or death certificate. Both the birth or  death certificate and the Letter of Exemplification must be certified by the New York County Clerk prior to submission to the New York Department of State.

 

• Educational documents submitted to the New York Department of State for an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication must first be certified by an official at the educational institution attesting that the document is an official record or a true copy of the original document. The official’s signature then must be notarized by a notary public. The notary public’s signature must then be certified by the County Clerk in the county where the notary public is qualified to certify.

 

 

• All other documents (such as a power of attorney) must first be notarized. An Affidavit may be used for this purpose. The notary’s signature must then be certified at the County Clerk’s office where the notary is qualified.