- Documents that are signed by individuals who are not elected or appointed officials and whose signatures are not on file with the Secretary of State’s Office MUST be notarized by a commissioned South Carolina Notary Public.
- School transcripts, report cards or letters MUST be signed by a school official and the official’s signature MUST be notarized.
- Record checks from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), local sheriffs or police departments MUST be signed by an official from that office and his/her signature MUST be notarized. The Secretary of State’s Office cannot authenticate a records check obtained from the Internet.
- Notarized documents MUST include a complete notarial certificate, including the facts attested to by the notary. (For example, "sworn and subscribed before me on this ____ day of ____, 20__.")