September 12, 2023: Certificates and Notifications issued by our office will look slightly different starting in October.

  • ALL certificates and notifications issued by our office can be viewed in the business’s filing history.
  • Verify the authenticity of notifications from our office by reviewing the business’s filing history in our Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS).

 

Law Changes and Service Revisions

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  2. Corporations & Charities
  3. Apostilles Program
  4. Law Changes And Service Revisions

Under new laws of 2016, the Secretary of State will not certify or attest to the signature of a notary public on a document:

  • Regarding allegiance to a government or jurisdiction;
  • Relating to the relinquishment or renunciation of citizenship, sovereignty, military status, or world service authority; or
  • Setting forth or implying a claim of immunity from the laws of jurisdictions within Washington, immunity from the laws of the State of Washington, or immunity from Federal Law.

Authenticity or certification of signatures - Attestation. RCW 43.07.032

Important Reminder:

  • Documents must be notarized prior to their request for apostille or certification
  • Los documentos deben ser notariados antes de su solicitud de apostilla o certificación
  • Link to notary guidelines RCW 42.44.100

Disclaimer

Certificates are not valid for use anywhere within the United States of America, its territories or possessions.