The Authentication Officer, Acting Authentication Officer, or any Assistant Authentication Officer designated by either of the former officers may, and is hereby authorized to, sign and issue certificates of authentication under the seal of the Department of State for and in the name of the Secretary of State or the Acting Secretary of State. The form of authentication shall be as follows:

In testimony whereof, I, ____________________, Secretary of State have hereunto caused the seal of the Department of State to be affixed and my name subscribed by the Authentication Officer, Acting Authentication Officer, or an Assistant Authentication Officer, of the said Department, at________. in ____________, this ________________ day of ________________ 19____

(Secretary of State)By(____________________ Authentication Officer, Department of State)(22 U.S.C. § 2651a)[61 FR 39585, July 30, 1996]