NOVEMBER 28, 2005

The Detroit New Center SUPER!Center now offers document certification service for the convenience of area customers, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land said today.

This service, which was previously only available at the Office of the Great Seal in Lansing, certifies documents intended for use in foreign countries.

"Our department certifies approximately 50,000 documents annually," Land said. "And in 2004, roughly one-third of the customers requesting document certification traveled to Lansing from Detroit and surrounding communities. There was an obvious need for this type of service in the metro Detroit area, and we’re pleased to respond to our customers. The addition of document certification at the Detroit New Center SUPER!Center reflects our regional approach to providing services, as well as our emphasis on meeting our customers’ needs."

Certification attests to the authenticity of the signature of the official who signed a document and the capacity in which that official acted. Where appropriate, the identity of a seal or stamp that a document bears may also be certified.

This service is intended for documents that are to be used in foreign countries and is used primarily by foreign exchange students and residents who are arranging overseas

marriages or foreign adoptions. About 80 percent of document certifications are related to foreign adoptions.

The Detroit New Center SUPER!Center at 3046 W. Grand Blvd. now performs two types of certification:

• An "Apostille" is issued for documents intended for use in countries that are party to the Hague Convention of 1961. The Hague Treaty is an international agreement to accept the signature of the Secretary of State of each U.S. state, without having it certified by the U.S. Secretary of State.
• A "Certificate of Authority" is the equivalent of an Apostille and is issued for all countries that are not a party to the Hague Convention. Many of these countries accept only documents that are certified at both the state and federal levels.

The types of documents that are eligible for certification by the Secretary of State include certified copies of vital records (such as birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates) that were issued by one of the following:

• A Michigan county clerk or deputy county clerk;
• The Michigan State Registrar;
• Clerks for select cities in Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties;
• And certified copies of Articles of Incorporation issued by the director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.

The cost is $1 for each document requiring certification and payment by cash, check, money order or Discover credit card is accepted.

Land reminds residents that they can obtain complete information about document certification and all other department services through the Department of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos. This site also helps customers determine fees and requirements before they visit a branch office.