Documents issued or notarized in Virginia are apostilled by the Authentication Division, Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth (Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth). The office authenticates the signatures of Virginia public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Virginia-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues an Apostille for Hague countries or a 'Great Seal' authentication for others. Apostilles are attached by staple.
Where to file
| USPS: Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Authentication Division, 1111 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219; FedEx/UPS/DHL: 400 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219 | |
| In person | 400 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219 (behind the Virginia Department of Health) Appointment only, booked online (authschelduler.solutions.virginia.gov); slots open Fridays 10 AM for the following week, Mon-Thu only, max 10 documents per family, one appointment per family member per day, government ID required. Walk-ins without appointment are not seen. Drop box available for couriers/companies with mail-back in 5-7 business days. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/official-documents/authentications/ |
How to get a Virginia apostille
- Confirm the document is a Virginia public document
The Authentication Division, Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth authenticates signatures of Virginia officials and Virginia-commissioned notaries only. Documents from other states go to their own state; federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Prepare the request
Complete the request form (official form), naming the destination country so the office issues an apostille (Hague country) or an authentication certificate (non-Hague country).
- Submit the document, fee and return envelope
Submit by mail to USPS: Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Authentication Division, 1111 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219; FedEx/UPS/DHL: 400 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219; in person at 400 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219 (behind the Virginia Department of Health) (Appointment only, booked online (authschelduler.solutions.virginia.gov); slots open Fridays 10 AM for the following week, Mon-Thu only, max 10 documents per family, one appointment per family member per day, government ID required. Walk-ins without appointment are not seen. Drop box available for couriers/companies with mail-back in 5-7 business days.). The fee is $10 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: Mail: 7-10 business days; drop box: 5-7 business days; appointment: usually same day. Expedited: None; same-day only via appointment. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $10 per document. Multiple documents signed by the same official on the same date for the same country: $10 first, $5 each additional. Check or money order payable to Secretary of the Commonwealth. Overpayments of $5 or less may not be refunded.
Processing time: Mail: 7-10 business days; drop box: 5-7 business days; appointment: usually same day
Expedited: None; same-day only via appointment
Documents Virginia will apostille
- VDH vital records issued within 12 months
- Circuit Court records issued within 12 months
- VA-notarized documents (within 12 months)
- State Corporation Commission certificates (within 12 months)
- Virginia school transcripts and diplomas
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Vital or court records from other states or countries
- Documents signed by out-of-state notaries or clerks
- Virginia eNotary electronic notarizations
- Documents notarized or issued more than 12 months ago
- Federal documents including FBI reports
- Return labels listing the office as sender (sent regular mail instead)
Notarized documents
Virginia notary only, notarized within the past 12 months, acknowledgment in English with state and city/county, notary registration number, expiration date, seal and signature. Virginia eNotary (electronic) notarizations cannot be authenticated.
Virginia does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates cannot be notarized; must be issued by VA Department of Health Vital Records within the past 12 months and signed by the State or Deputy State Registrar. A black-and-white death certificate may be accepted if the death occurred within four weeks of processing.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Virginia-specific points
- Strict 12-month age limit on notarizations, vital records and court records
- Appointments release every Friday at 10 AM for the following week only and are capped at 10 documents
- Couriers and apostille companies are barred from booking appointments; drop box only
- Two different addresses: USPS mail to Broad Street, carriers and drop box to Cary Street
- Cover letter must be generated through an online account; no paper form
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Virginia does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Virginia resident is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — see the federal section. For destinations outside the Hague Convention, the Virginia authentication certificate must then be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State and legalized at the destination's embassy (how the chain works).
Frequently asked questions
How much does an apostille cost in Virginia?
The Authentication Division, Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth charges $10 per document. Multiple documents signed by the same official on the same date for the same country: $10 first, $5 each additional. Check or money order payable to Secretary of the Commonwealth. Overpayments of $5 or less may not be refunded.
How long does a Virginia apostille take?
Mail: 7-10 business days; drop box: 5-7 business days; appointment: usually same day Expedited option: None; same-day only via appointment.
Can I get an apostille in person in Virginia?
Yes. Appointment only, booked online (authschelduler.solutions.virginia.gov); slots open Fridays 10 AM for the following week, Mon-Thu only, max 10 documents per family, one appointment per family member per day, government ID required. Walk-ins without appointment are not seen. Drop box available for couriers/companies with mail-back in 5-7 business days.
Does Virginia require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Authentication Division, Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth provided the notary is commissioned in Virginia and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Virginia resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Virginia. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
