Are you sending your records outside the country and need an apostille for your transcript, degree verification and/or diploma? The sole function of the apostille is to certify the authenticity of the signature on the document(s).

The registrar’s office will create affidavits to accompany the document(s) to certify that they are the official record of your academic career, and will have the document(s) notarized by a Notary Public on campus. This may take 2-4 business days after the request is received.

We will then mail the documents and affidavits to the Madison County Clerk's Office in Wampsville, New York, where the county clerk is qualified to certify the signature of the Notary Public. The clerk’s office will mail the document(s) back to you. Finally, you must present or mail the document(s) to the New York State Department of State for authentication.
 

In order to process your request, the registrar’s office at Colgate must first receive from you:

  1. A brief note explaining what is needed, why it is being requested, and what country will be receiving the document(s).
  2. One (1) self-addressed, stamped 8 ½ x 11 envelope for Madison County to return the documents to you. Please affix two (2) stamps for a transcript, an additional (2) stamps for a degree verification letter, and an additional four (4) stamps for a diploma.
  3. A U.S. check ($3 per document), made payable to the Madison County Clerk, or cash.
  4. The document type that needs to be apostilled.
    1. For a transcript: Place an order for your transcript through Parchment using the instructions on the registrar’s website, and have it mailed to yourself.
    2. For a degree verification letter: The registrar’s office will create this for you.
    3. For a diploma: If you have your diploma, you may make a photocopy and send this to the registrar's office. If you don't have your diploma, you will need to request a replacement diploma and pay for it online. The registrar’s office does not have digital copies of diplomas.

To complete the process, you must forward the notarized and certified transcript, degree verification, and/or diploma to the New York State Department of State, in Albany or New York City, for authentication. The Madison County Clerk's office will not forward this document for you.

For address information and more information on this process please visit the New York State Department of State’s website.

If you have questions, please contact the registrar's office at 315-228-7408, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.