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Office of the Secretary

Read Mayor Bowser’s Presentation on DC’s COVID-19 Situational Update: April 26

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

Become a Notary Public

Document Authentication

How to have documents authenticated for domestic and foreign use.

Public Records Services

Information on submitting a research request for Public Records.

District of Columbia Archives

Information on accessing historical records at the DC Archives.

Request a Ceremonial Document

Learn how to request a ceremonial document.

Notary and Authentication Services

Information on Notary commissions to qualified individuals who seek to become a DC notary.

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Latest

Press Releases

Feb 19 2021

District of Columbia Announces Awardees of FY 2021 Voting Rights and Statehood Grant

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

Dec 4 2020

Office of the Secretary of State of the District of Columbia Announces Grant Application Deadline for the 2021 DC Democracy Grant

Application Opening Date: Friday, December 4, 2020 Application Due Date: Monday, January 4, 2021...

Feb 26 2020

District Announces Awardees of FY 2020 Voting Rights and Statehood Grant

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

Nov 15 2019

Secretary Announces Extension to the 2020 DC Democracy Grant Deadline

NOTICE OF EXTENSION OF SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR THE

Oct 7 2019

Office of the Secretary of State of the District of Columbia Announces Grant Application Deadline for the 2020 DC Democracy Grant

Application Opening Date: Monday, October 7, 2019 Application Due Date: Friday, November 1, 2019

COVID-19 Public Alert

The Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia and all its divisions, including the Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances, Office of Protocol and International Affairs, Ceremonial Services, Office of Notary Commissions & Authentications and the Office of Public Records, remain operational in situational telework mode. Under Phase 2 of the District’s Re-Open Plan, the following changes begin on June 22, 2020:

We are now processing mail-in requests for authentications. Please see the Document Authentication website for details.
No in-person processing will be permitted.

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]

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Agency Performance

Oh Freedom!

Last Date:

A discussion of the long history and critical role of churches in the movement toward emancipation in the District of Columbia. Part of the Howard University Lecture Series.