Seal of the Apostille of the Hague and Certificates of Authentication

An "Apostille" is an internationally recognized document certification, developed so official documents can be reliably shared and certified across international boundaries. In New York, the Apostille of the Hague process is managed by the New York Department of State Division of Licensing Services. In some cases, a Certificate of Authentication will be issued by the New York Secretary of State to authenticate public document for use in any country which is not a member of the Hague Convention. Students will work with the Registrar's Office, the County Clerk and the Department of State to receive authentication. Students who are attending foreign universities, or who are applying to study or work overseas, may need documents certified with the Seal of the Apostille of the Hague. More Information: Apostille Process in New York

What is an Apostille?

An apostille refers to the legalization of a document for international use. The apostille certifies the signature
and the position of the official who has issued or certified a copy of a document. Students commonly need an
apostille to authenticate their academic transcripts or diploma for use in a foreign country. Apostilles are only valid in countries that joined the 1961 Hague Convention.

Step 1: Request documents from the Office of the Registrar

1. Request document(s) that need an apostille:

• Diplomas: Photocopies of diplomas are preferred so that the original diploma does not get lost or damaged. If you are not in possession of or have a copy of your original diploma, you may purchase a replacement diploma. Please note there is an additional fee for each replacement diploma, and orders will take an additional week to arrive in our office.
• Transcripts: Complete a Transcript Request Form with a handwritten signature.

Monroe Community College
Office of the Registrar
1000 E. Henrietta Road
Rochester, NY 14623

Office of the Registrar's Responsibilities

• Provide Original Signature of Registrar Administration, on documents
• Notary Public attends to the authenticity of the signature appearing on the transcript(s) and/or original or duplicate diploma(s)
• Transcript and/or Diploma be embossed with the Monroe Community College’s raised seal
• Documents will be mailed back to requestor

Please Note: The Office of the Registrar does not issue the apostille.

Step 2: Send documents to Monroe County Clerk

After your documents have been notarized, the notary public signatures on your document are required to be authenticated by the Monroe Country Clerk's Office.

Monroe County Clerk's Office
39 W. Main Street
Rochester, NY 14614

Step 3: Send documents to NYS Department of State

Complete the Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request Form from the NYS Department of State.

Send all documents you received back from the Monroe County Clerk, including the completed Apostille Authentication Request Form, to the NYS Department of State.

Mailing address will vary depending on your payment type. Please review the NYS Department of State Authentication Request Form for the correct address.

Please note: You must include a return mailer to have documents returned to you by mail.

How long does the process take?

Although processing times vary at different offices, it is estimated that this entire process will take four to five weeks to be completed. The apostille process is as follows:

1. Student sends request for apostille to the Office of the Registrar, transcript request form and copy of Diploma to the Office of the Registrar.
2. MCC notarizes document(s) and mails of them the back to the student.

- This is the end of processing for the Office of the Registrar -

1. Student mails documents to Monroe County Clerk's Office.
2. Monroe County Clerk returns the documents to the student.
3. Student mails document(s) to the New York Department of State for final authentication.
4. New York Department of State returns documents with Apostille to student.