​​​​​​​​​Modernization in Action​

Every improvement we've made is designed to make government easier to use while maintaining the integrity and security of Wisconsin's official records.


Explore the services we've modernized:

Online Services Portal

Begin requests, manage services, and securely access the Secretary of State's online tools. → Learn More​


Apostille & Authentication Services

Start requests online, submit payments securely, and track your order throughout the authentication process. → Learn More​​

Hello, Wisconsin. 
Today, I want to walk you through one of the most common questions we receive: Do I need a traditional apostille or an e-apostille? 
If you haven't already watched our video explaining the difference between the two, I encourage you to start there, but if you're ready to submit your request, let's jump right in. 
When you begin your apostille request through our online portal, one of the first questions you'll answer is whether your document is a paper document or an electronic document. That question determines which type of apostille you'll need. If you have a physical paper document, you'll request a traditional apostille or authentication. 
Our office will review your original document, and if it meets all of the requirements, we'll attach a physical apostille certificate before returning it to you. If your document was created electronically and has always remained electronic, you may be eligible for an e-apostille. An e-apostille is an electronic certificate that's securely attached to an eligible digital document. 
It's faster, convenient, and another way we're using technology to better serve our customers. Here's the most important thing to remember: A scanned paper document is still considered a paper document. Even if you scan it into your computer or save it as a PDF, it doesn't become an electronic document for the apostille process. 
To qualify for an e-apostille, the document must have been created electronically from the very beginning. That could include an electronic transcript, a document completed through remote online notarization, or another record that was created, issued, and maintained electronically from start to finish. So the type of apostille you receive will always match the type of document you submit. 
If you submit a paper document, you'll receive a traditional paper apostille. If you submit an eligible electronic document, you'll receive an e-apostille. So if you are ever unsure which option to choose, just remember this simple rule: Paper documents receive paper apostilles. Eligible electronic documents receive e-apostilles. 
And if you still have questions, we're always here to help. Thanks for watching, and thank you for allowing us to continue to make government services more accessible, more efficient, and easier to use. ​
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Hi, everyone. One of the things I'm most proud of is how we've modernized Wisconsin's Secretary of State office to make it easier, faster, and more transparent to do business with us, and that includes our apostille process. Not only can you now start an apostille or an e-apostille request online, but you can also track the status of your order anytime right from your computer or your phone. 
That means no more wondering where your documents are or having to call or email our office for an update. The information is right at your fingertips. Let me show you how it works. After logging into the Secretary of State services portal using the same MyWisconsin ID you used to submit your request, click on your name in the upper right corner of the screen.
From there, select My Orders and Requests. This page lets you see exactly where your order is in our process. Once your documents arrive, our team reviews everything, completes the apostille, and prepares your order to be returned. At that point, your status will change to complete. A complete status means we've finished our work. 
If you've requested your documents by mail, they may still be on their way back to you. If you selected pickup, they'll be ready for you to pick up in our office. Occasionally, you may see a status of rejected. If that happens, it means we weren't able to complete your request. We'll return your documents along with an explanation so you'll know exactly what needs to be corrected. 
Our goal is simple, to give you more transparency and make it easier to do business with the Wisconsin Secretary of State. So anytime you'd like to check on your order, just log into the service portal with your MyWisconsin ID, click My Orders and Requests, and you'll see exactly where your request stands. 
As always, if you have any questions, we're here to help. ​

Electronic Apostilles (e-Apostille)

Eligible electronic documents can now receive secure digital Apostilles, reducing mailing time and improving international document delivery. → Learn More

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Hello, Wisconsin. I'm very excited that we are one of the first states to offer an electronic apostille or an e-apostille. A common question we get is whether my document qualifies for the e-apostille process. So let's dive into what's the difference. An e-apostille is an electronic document that we can digitally verify. 
An example is a college transcript that's issued online by the university. A traditional apostille is a paper document that we verify physically. A typical paper document would be vital records such as a birth certificate or marriage license. Legally, vital records are not considered an electronic document and do not qualify for the e-apostille program, but we're happy to do them the traditional way. 
Once you've determined the document you have for an apostille, the system will walk you through the process step by step. And as always, our office is available to assist you.
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Public Records Portal

Search official records, access digitized historical documents, and request certified copies online. → Learn More​​​

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One of the things I'm most proud of as your Secretary of State is how we've modernized our office to make government more accessible, more transparent, and easier to use. Government shouldn't be a black box. Public records belong to the people of Wisconsin, and our job is to make them accessible. That's why we've created a state-of-the-art online portal where you can search thousands of historical and official government records anytime from anywhere and completely free to view and download. 
Our online records portal includes documents like oaths of office, pardons, deeds, proclamations, executive orders, and more records are being added on a regular basis as we continue to digitize our records. Today, I'd like to show you just how easy it is to use the portal. To get started, visit sosservices.wi.gov and you'll arrive to our online services dashboard where you can access all of the Secretary of State's online services. 
From there, click Search Public Records. This feature gives you access to thousands of documents that have been scanned, preserved, and made available online for the public. Whether you're researching Wisconsin history, looking for an official document, or simply curious, these records are available to you free of charge. 
If you need a certified copy of certain records for legal or official purposes, you can also request that through the portal inside the public records section, you'll find several searchable collections, including oaths, pardons, deeds, proclamations, executive orders. For this example, let's search for an oath. 
Once you've searched in the oath section, you'll notice that there are several ways to search. You can search by document date, office, the name of the individual who took the oath, county, or even by the secretary of state who filed the record. One thing to keep in mind is that some of these historical records are decades, if not even a century old. 
Occasionally, handwriting may be difficult to read, or certain information may not have been available when the record was originally created. That's why I always recommend trying more than one search method. If you don't find what you're looking for by office, try searching by a last name, a county, or another field. 
A different search can often produce the results that you're looking for. For this demonstration, I'll search by Secretary of State and enter my name. This will display oaths that have been filed during my time in office. Your search results will include information like the document date, office, individual named in the oath, the county, the secretary of state who filed it, and the actions available for that record. 
The first option is download and preview, which opens a PDF that you can view or download immediately, completely free of charge. The second option is order a certified copy. Certified copies are often needed for official or legal purposes, and you can request them directly through the portal. Simply select the number of certified copies you'd like, and the system will automatically calculate the cost. 
Certified copies are $5 each, and additional costs may apply if you need your document more quickly. If you're signed in with My Wisconsin ID, much of your information will already be filled in for you. You'll have a chance to review everything before submitting your request. Once your order is submitted, our team receives it, prepares your certified copies, and completes your request as quickly as possible. 
And remember, you never have to pay to search, view, or download records that are available in the portal. Payment is only required if you're requesting certified copies or another paid service. We're continuing to digitize more records because we believe government works best when it's open, transparent, and accessible to everyone. 
Whether you're researching Wisconsin history, looking for an official record, or simply exploring documents that belong to the people of our state, we're proud to make them available at your fingertips. 
As always, if you can't find what you're looking for, please reach out. Our team is happy to help. Thanks for watching, and thank you for allowing us to continue to build a more modern, transparent, and accessible Wisconsin government. ​
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Electronic Payments

Customers can now pay using credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and other secure electronic payment options.​

Enhanced Security & Verification

Modern document security, electronic verification, and improved authentication tools help protect the integrity of Wisconsin-issued documents. → Learn More​


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