One of the functions of the Office of Secretary of State for Ohio is to provide authentication on documents for use overseas.
Authentications come in the form of either an apostille or a gold seal certificate.
If the country the documents are pertaining to is part of the Hague Convention of 1961, the document receives an apostille. If it is not part of this, then it receives a gold seal certification. Therefore, our office must know what country the document is pertaining to in order to authenticate the document properly. Types of Documents B irth Certificates and Death Certificates should be certified copies from the Ohio Department of Health or Vital Statistics. C ertified copies of marriage licenses or certificates should have the seal of the Probate Court and the name of the judge.