For same day, no appointment, document authentication services, please visit the ONCA Walk In Service Center from 9 AM - 1 PM, Monday - Friday, except holidays.

 

Service Contact: Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications

Service Location: 899 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 8100

Contact Email: [email protected]

General Office Hours: 8:15 AM - 4:45 PM, Monday -Friday, except holidays.

Walk-In Customer Hours: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Monday-Friday, except holidays ***No appointment.  Same day service.  For more information.

The Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA) authenticates documents for foreign use at the ONCA Mail In Service Center and  ONCA Walk In Service Center for same day service.  Please see below for detailed information on ONCA authentication services and frequently asked questions.  

ONCA Authenticates

• Documents notarized by a DC Notary Public.
• Certified documents issued and/or signed by a DC government agency

ONCA DOES NOT Authenticate

• Documents notarized by a Notary Public outside of DC: visit the Secretary of State where the notary public is commissioned.
• Federal documents., including citizenship documents, FBI background checks, FBI Clearance Letters. Please visit the US State Department, Authentication Office for more information.
• Documents for use in Guam and Puerto Rico: these are territories of the United States and therefore do not require authentication.
• Documents from jurisdictions outside of the District of Columbia should be authenticated where they were issued.
• For individuals overseas who need documents notarized and authenticated, you may be able to have them notarized by an officer at a US Embassy or Consulate or a commissioned officer in the military in the country you are living. For more details, please visit www.travel.state.gov/Notarial and Authentication Services.

ONCA Authentication Verifies that the notary public, department head, or authorized DC government official who signed the document is properly commissioned and legitimate.

ONCA Authentication Does Not Verify accuracy of the information contained in the document; the legitimacy or accreditation of any school, university, financial institution, or organization referenced in the document; or the validity of the underlying record.

The receiving country retains full authority to accept or reject the document based on its own review of the content.

What Types of Authentication Documents are Issued

Apostilles

• For use in countries that are part of the Hague Convention.* For information on Hague Convention member countries, please click here.
• Once ONCA issues the apostille it may go directly to the country of use.

Department Head Certificates

• Documents for both Hague Convention and non-Hague Convention countries.

Foreign Certificates

• For use in countries that are not Hague Convention Countries.
• Once ONCA issues the Foreign Certificate, and then the customer must have it authenticated by the US Department of State. Please visit the US State Department, Authentication Office for more information. 

What Does It Cost?

• $15 per document authenticated.
• The cost is the same at the Mail In Service Center and the Walk In Service Center.
• Pyable by credit card (Amex, Master Card, Visa), check, or money order. Checks and money orders must be made payable to the "DC Treasurer” from a US Financial Institution in US dollars and must be for the exact amount.

How Long Does It Take?

• Mail in Service Center requests are returned to mail in five (5) business days from receipt of completed requests
• Walk In Service Center requests are completed the same day.
  • No appointment is required.
  • Third parties may bring documents on behalf of others.

Mail In Service Center Request Submission 

1.  Submit online ONCA Mail In Services Request Notification Form
2. Create Return Envelope
   1. Self-addressed and stamped envelope with address to return the completed request
   2. Fed Ex and USPS are preferred: Pick up from ONCA is daily
   3. DHL and UPS may be used: the customer must arrange pick up after receiving notification  that the request has been completed.
3. Complete hard copy of the Mail In Authentication Service Request Form
4. Prepare Mail In Service Center Documents for Authentication
   1. Documents to be authenticated
      1. Documents notarized by a DC Notary Public or
5. 1. 2. Certified documents issued and/or signed by a DC government agency 
   2. Self-Addressed and Stamped Envelope
   3. Hard copy of the Mail In Authentication Service Request Form
   4. Payment (only if check or money order)
6. Mail Request to:

DC Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA)

899 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 8100

Washington, DC 20002

FAQ: Mail In Service Center Customers

How long does it take? Requests are reviewed, assigned, and returned to mail within five (5) business days from receipt of request.

How will I know if the request has been received? Emails are sent to the email address provided on the Mail In Online Service Request Form when the request is: Received, assigned, and completed/returned to mail. Please submit an email to [email protected] to check a status if there has not been an email confirmation.

If I have to order documents to be authenticated, like a DC  Birth Certificate or GED, can they be sent directly to ONCA? Yes! Please make comment on the Mail In Online Service Request Notification Form that the documents will be sent to ONCA.  ONCA will notifiy at rewwcipt of the document.

Please have the third party document provider send them to: ATTN: ONCA Stakeholder Engagement and Solutions Analyst

DC Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA)

899 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 8100

Washington, DC 20002

 

For more information, please contact [email protected].