You’re looking for the DC Secretary of State, but here is the first thing you need to know: they don't actually call it that. If you go to Google and type in those exact words, you'll find the office, but the official title is the Secretary of the District of Columbia. It sounds like a small distinction. It isn't. In most states, the Secretary of State is an elected official who handles elections and gets their face on the news during a recount. In Washington, D.C., the role is appointed by the Mayor, and the responsibilities are a weird, fascinating mix of high-level diplomacy and the kind of granular paperwork that keeps a city-state from grinding to a halt.
Kimberly A. Bassett currently holds the post. She was appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser. Think of her as the "Chief Protocol Officer" for the nation's capital.
Most people only interact with this office when they need something notarized for international use—what’s known as an Apostille. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Because D.C. functions as both a city and a "state" in many administrative ways, this office has to juggle things that would usually be split between a mayor’s chief of staff and a state-level executive. It’s a strange beast.
What the Secretary of the District of Columbia Actually Does
If you live in D.C. or do business here, you’ve probably used their services without realizing it. They are the keepers of the Seal of the District of Columbia. That’s not just a fancy way of saying they have a big rubber stamp. It means they validate every single official act the Mayor takes. If the Mayor signs a law or an executive order and the Secretary doesn't attest to it, it’s basically just a piece of paper.
They also handle the District of Columbia Archives. This is where the real history lives. We’re talking about records dating back to the late 1700s. It’s not just dusty boxes; it’s the legal trail of how this swampy patch of land became the most powerful city on earth.
- They manage Notary Public commissions.
- They handle the authentication of documents for foreign use.
- They oversee the Office of Documents and Administrative Practice (the folks who publish the D.C. Register).
- They coordinate ceremonial honors and "Keys to the City."
Wait, let's talk about the international stuff. This is where the DC Secretary of State equivalent gets cool. Because D.C. is home to hundreds of embassies, the Secretary’s office is basically the city’s State Department. When a foreign dignitary comes to town, Bassett’s office is often the one making sure the flags are right and the protocol is followed. Most state secretaries are worried about DMV records or business registrations; this office is worried about diplomatic immunity and international relations.
The Notary and Apostille Maze
Honestly, the most common reason people search for this office is because they’re moving abroad or getting married in a foreign country. You need an Apostille.
It’s a headache. Basically, if you have a birth certificate or a power of attorney and you want it recognized in, say, France, the French government wants to know that the person who notarized it was actually a real notary. The Secretary’s office looks at the signature, compares it to their database, and then attaches a big, official certificate to the back.
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The office is located at 441 4th Street NW. It’s the Judiciary Square area. If you go, expect a bit of a wait. It's the government. But they’ve modernized a lot of it lately. You can do some of the legwork online now, which is a massive upgrade from the "wait in line for three hours" days of a decade ago.
Why People Get Confused About This Office
The confusion stems from the lack of D.C. statehood.
In Virginia or Maryland, the Secretary of State is a major political player. In D.C., the "Secretary" is a member of the Mayor’s cabinet. They don't run elections. That’s a huge point of confusion. If you’re looking to register to vote or check ballot counts, you don't go to the DC Secretary of State equivalent. You go to the D.C. Board of Elections.
The Board of Elections is an independent agency. This is a purposeful separation of powers. You don't want the person who attests to the Mayor's signature also being the one who counts the Mayor's votes. That’s a conflict of interest waiting to happen.
The Ceremonial Side: More Than Just Ribbons
The Secretary also manages the "Keys to the City." You’ve seen the photos. A famous athlete or a massive philanthropist stands next to the Mayor holding a giant wooden key. That whole process—the vetting, the manufacturing of the key, the ceremony—lives in the Secretary’s office.
It sounds trivial. It isn't. These ceremonies are part of the "soft power" D.C. exerts. It builds relationships with people and organizations that bring money and prestige to the District. It’s part of the city’s branding.
The Logistics: Getting Things Done at 441 4th Street
If you actually need to visit the office, you need to be prepared. This isn't a "walk-in and chat" kind of place.
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First, check the D.C. Register. If you are a lawyer or a business owner, this is your bible. It contains every proposed rule, every final rule, and every public notice issued by the District government. The Secretary’s office is responsible for making sure this is published every Friday. If it’s not in the Register, it’s usually not enforceable.
For document authentication, here is the pro tip: Make sure your notary's commission is current. If your notary's license expired yesterday and they signed your document today, the Secretary’s office will reject it. You’ll be back at square one.
- Get your document notarized by a D.C. notary. (Maryland or Virginia notaries won't work for this office).
- Bring the original document to the Office of the Secretary.
- Pay the fee (it’s usually around $15 per document, but check the latest schedule).
- Wait for the gold seal.
The Future of the Office and D.C. Statehood
What happens if D.C. becomes the 51st state, the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth?
The office would undergo a radical transformation. It would likely become an elected position. The responsibilities would expand to include the things "normal" Secretaries of State do, like overseeing the entire business registration database (which is currently handled by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, or DLCP).
Currently, the Secretary of the District of Columbia is an administrative powerhouse but a political ghost to most residents. Statehood would change that overnight. It would move from a cabinet appointment to a seat on the ballot.
How to Contact the Office
If you need to reach them, don't just show up. Use the resources available.
- Phone: (202) 727-6306
- Website: os.dc.gov
- Location: 441 4th Street, NW, Suite 1130N, Washington, D.C. 20001
They are generally open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. But honestly, call ahead. Government schedules in the District can be weird, especially around federal holidays or during "Snow Days" where the federal government closes but the D.C. government stays open (or vice-versa).
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Actions to Take Now
If you are dealing with the Office of the Secretary, don't wing it.
First, verify your documents. If you are seeking an Apostille, ensure the document is a "true copy" or an original. Photocopies will be rejected instantly.
Second, use the online portal. Most of the Notary Public applications and renewals have moved online. It saves you a trip to Judiciary Square and the hassle of going through a metal detector at the One Judiciary Square building.
Third, check the D.C. Register. If you are a resident concerned about a new development or a change in local law, browse the Register online. It’s the most transparent way to see what the government is planning before it happens.
Finally, understand the limits. Remember that for business licenses or incorporation, you need the DLCP, not the Secretary. For voting, you need the Board of Elections. For tax issues, you need the Office of Tax and Revenue. The Secretary is the glue, but they aren't the whole building.
Navigating the bureaucracy of Washington, D.C. is notoriously difficult because of the overlapping layers of local, "state," and federal jurisdiction. The Secretary of the District of Columbia is the person who bridges those gaps. Whether you're a student needing a transcript authenticated for a job in London or a historian looking for records from the 1800s, this is where the paper trail begins.