Form 8003 at a glance
What it is: Form 8003 is the Authentication/Apostille Request Form.
Where and when to file: MAILING ADDRESS: Ohio Secretary of State Client Service Center, 180 Civic Center Dr., Columbus, OH 43215-4138. Documents are processed within two to three days of receipt.
What to bring and attach to Form 8003
You MUST include the completed Authentication/Apostille form, a self-addressed/stamped envelope or a prepaid express delivery label, and the document(s) to be authenticated or apostilled.
A filled-in Form 8003 example: a requestor sends two documents to Italy
How to fill out Form 8003, box by box
Date, Number of documents and COUNTRY
Enter the Date (MM/DD/YYYY) and the Number of documents.
Enter the COUNTRY where documents are going.
REQUESTOR INFORMATION
Under REQUESTOR INFORMATION, enter the Name of requestor.
Enter the Telephone number and the Email address.
RETURN DOCUMENTS TO
Under RETURN DOCUMENTS TO, enter the Name.
Enter the United States address (number and street), City, State and ZIP code.
TYPE OF DELIVERY
Choose delivery option. For time sensitive documents, expedited service is strongly recommended.
For Mail, the customer must provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
For the Prepaid overnight label, the label is enclosed.
REQUEST CHECKLIST
REQUEST CHECKLIST: Review instructions.
Enclose fee ($5 per document) (checked November 7, 2026).
Enclose return envelope or prepaid overnight label.
Enclose document(s) to be authenticated/apostilled.
Acceptable documents, rejected documents, payment and faster service
DOCUMENTS ACCEPTABLE FOR AUTHENTICATION/APOSTILLE
DOCUMENTS ACCEPTABLE FOR AUTHENTICATION/APOSTILLE: original documents certified by an Ohio official.
Birth and Death certificates certified by the Ohio Department of Health.
Certified copies of marriage licenses or certificates. For copies, contact the probate court where the marriage license was issued for copies.
Certified copies of divorce decrees, probated wills, judgments, and citizenship. For copies, contact the county Clerk of Court's office where the document was filed for copies.
Certified copies of business entity documents on file at Ohio Secretary of State's office.
Documents properly notarized by an Ohio notary public.
DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE REJECTED
DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE REJECTED: improperly notarized documents.
Documents notarized by notary public commissioned in a state other than Ohio or a foreign country.
Original documents certified by an official of a state other than Ohio or a foreign country.
FBI background checks.
Documents related to citizenship, unless issued by an Ohio county Clerk of Court.
Documents issued under a federal seal or by a federal court.
Originals or photocopies from the Departments of Justice, Treasury, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and U.S. Patent and Trademark. Documents will be rejected if the country where the documents are going is listed as the United States of America.
FEDERAL DOCUMENTS: FBI background checks, documents related to citizenship, document issued under seal of federal court, U.S. Patent and Trademark, and originals or photocopies of documents from the Department of Justice, Department of Treasury, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Health and Human Services will be rejected and must be sent to the U.S. Department of State.
Fee and payment
Fill out the Request for Authentication/Apostille form completely, mail the documents to the address on the request form, and pay the fee of $5 per document (checked November 7, 2026).
The exact fee is required. DO NOT SEND CASH.
Acceptable payment types are a check or money order and a credit card authorization form.
If you require faster service
If you require faster service, documents may be delivered in person to the Secretary of State's office.
Common questions about Form 8003
Where do I file it?
MAILING ADDRESS: Ohio Secretary of State Client Service Center, 180 Civic Center Dr., Columbus, OH 43215-4138.
Where to get help with Form 8003
Central Ohio: 614-728-9200. Toll Free: 877-767-3453. records@ohiosos.gov. For more information: ohiosos.gov.
Sources
[1] Form 8003 (Last Revised 07/2025), Authentication/Apostille Request Form, Ohio Secretary of State (the Official source link on this page).
