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Office of the Secretary

Notary Services: Contact (202) 727-3117, Open for walk-in 9 am - 1 pm, Monday-Friday, except holidays, Location: 441 4th Street, NW.

The Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia announces the new Digital Archive for the Office of Public Records and Archives. This repository will make historical records from the DC Archives available digitally to the public for historical and genealogical research.

Please visit the site at https://archives.dc.gov

Agency Home Responsive

Request a Ceremonial Document

Obtain a proclamation or letter from the Mayor to recognize noteworthy District people and events. The Ceremonial Services Unit prepares documents to commemorate individuals and special events.

Become a Notary Public

District of Columbia notaries public must be 18 years of age, be of good moral character and live or work in the District of Columbia.

Meet the DC Sister Cities

Washington, DC partners with other nations' capitals throughout the world. These partnerships create opportunities for cities to learn from each other.

DC One Fund -- Each One Help One

The DC One Fund program is the District Government’s workplace giving program. It is jointly administered by the United Way of the National Capital Area and The United Black Fund Inc. of Greater Washington, DC.

Featured Services

District of Columbia Archives

Information on accessing historical records at the DC Archives.

Public Records Services

Information on submitting a research request for Public Records.

Flag Status

Current Status of the US and DC flags

Become a Notary Public

Our hours are from 9 am-1 pm, Monday-Friday, except holidays.

Request a Ceremonial Document

Learn how to request a ceremonial document.

Document Authentication

How to have documents authenticated for domestic and foreign use.

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Latest

Press Releases

Mar 19 2024

District of Columbia Announces Awardees of FY 2024 Voting Rights and Statehood Grant

(Washington, DC) - The Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia announced that the...

Nov 6 2023

Office of the Secretary of State of the District of Columbia Announces Grant Application Deadline for the 2024 DC Democracy Grant

Application Opening Date: Monday, November 6, 2023 Application Due Date: Friday, December 15, 2023...

Feb 13 2023

District of Columbia Announces Awardees of FY 2023 Voting Rights and Statehood Grant

(Washington, DC) - The Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia announced that the...

Nov 14 2022

Office of the Secretary of State of the District of Columbia Announces Grant Application Deadline for the 2023 DC Democracy Grant

Application Opening Date: Monday, November 14, 2022 Application Due Date: Friday, December 16,...

Mar 23 2022

Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia Selects New State Archivist and Public Records Administrator

(Washington, DC) The Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia testified before the...

Office of the Secretary - OS

Office Hours
Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm

Connect With Us
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 419, Washington, DC 20004
Phone: (202) 727-6306
Fax: (202) 727-3582
TTY: 711
Alternate Number: Notary: (202) 727-3117
Email: [email protected]

Ask the Secretary of the District of Columbia

Agency Performance

2012: The Sesquicentennial Celebration of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act

Last Date:

This event sponsored by the Afro-American History Society at NARA looks at the DC Compensated Emancipation Act of April 16, 1862. Please arrive early (no later than 10:00AM) with a proper issued government iD (i.e. driver's license or other local or federal government issued I.D. Card) Part of the Howard University Lecture Series.