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Office of the Secretary

The Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications, Document Authentication, is open for in-person authentications. No appointment is needed.
The hours are 9 am-1 pm, Monday-Friday, except holidays.
Address: 899 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 8100, Washington, DC 20002. Phone: (202) 727-3117.

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

Flag Status

Current Status of the US and DC flags

Document Authentication

How to have documents authenticated for domestic and foreign use.

Become a Notary Public

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

Notary and Authentication Services

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

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.

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Latest

Press Releases

Jan 27 2025

District of Columbia Announces Awardees of FY 2025 Voting Rights and Statehood Grant

The Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia proudly announced the recipients of the...

Nov 8 2024

Office of the Secretary of State of the District of Columbia Announces Grant Application Deadline for the FY 2025 DC Democracy Grant

Application Opening Date: Friday, November 8, 2024 Application Due Date: Friday, December 13,...

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,...

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...

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

Elizabeth Thomas, Heroine of Fort Stevens - How to Find the Jewels on Your Family Tree

Last Date:

In the quest to find information about her ancestors, genealogist Alice Freeman Harris discovered the remarkable story of her Great, Great Aunt Elizabeth Thomas, who was an important figure in District of Columbia Civil War history. Ms. Harris will describe how you can begin researching your ancestors. Using her own Great, Great Aunt Elizabeth Thomas as a case study, she will demonstrate how you can find jewels on your own family tree. Ms.