Do it yourself
In the State of Virginia apostilles are issued by the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth in Richmond.
Documents submitted in Virginia for apostille need to comply with the following guidelines:
- For vital records you need to submit certified copies issued by the State registrar or deputy registrar at the Virginia Department of Vital Records within the last 12 months. For marriage certificates documents issued by the Circuit Court bearing “triple seal” including seals from the Clerk and Judge of the Circuit Court.
- Death certificates issued by the Department of Health in a black and white copy can be submitted for apostille if the death happened no more than four weeks from the moment of requesting apostille.
- Notarized documents need to be stamped, signed and dated by the notary public within the last 12 months and they must include an acknowledgement.
- Business documents submitted for apostille must be issued by the State Corporation Commission, within the last 12 months.
- Diplomas, transcripts and other school records submitted for apostille need to notarized and issued by the schools authorities.
New copies:
You can obtain copies of vital records from the Virginia Department of Vital Records, phone (804) 662-6200.
Apostille Virginia contacts:
Visit in person or mail documents to:
Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth
Attn. Authentication Request
1111 East Broad Street, 1st Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 692-0114
Website: https://commonwealth.virginia.gov/official-documents/authentications/
Email: notary@governor.virginia.gov
Price and processing time:
Price is $10 per apostille with payment made to the “Secretary of the Commonwealth”.
Processing time is same-day counter service or 7 days for mailed orders.