Documents issued or notarized in West Virginia are apostilled by the Business Division, Apostilles and Authentications (West Virginia Secretary of State). The office authenticates the signatures of West Virginia public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and West Virginia-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues both apostilles (Hague) and authentication certificates (non-Hague); both bear the State seal in red ink.
Where to file
| West Virginia Secretary of State, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Bldg. 1, Ste. 157-K, Charleston, WV 25305 | |
| In person | State Capitol Building, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Bldg. 1, Ste. 157-K, Charleston, WV 25305 Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Eastern; walk-in customers usually served within minutes depending on document count; no appointment mentioned. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://sos.wv.gov/business/apostilles-and-authentications/authentication-documents-international-use |
How to get a West Virginia apostille
- Confirm the document is a West Virginia public document
The Business Division, Apostilles and Authentications authenticates signatures of West Virginia officials and West 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 West Virginia Secretary of State, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Bldg. 1, Ste. 157-K, Charleston, WV 25305; in person at State Capitol Building, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Bldg. 1, Ste. 157-K, Charleston, WV 25305 (Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Eastern; walk-in customers usually served within minutes depending on document count; no appointment mentioned.). The fee is $10 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: Office aims for 48 business hours; walk-ins typically within minutes. Expedited: None published; enclose prepaid Express Mail, FedEx or UPS packet for faster return. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $10 per document. $10 first document, $5 each additional document certified by the same public official. Check or money order for exact amount payable to WV Secretary of State.
Processing time: Office aims for 48 business hours; walk-ins typically within minutes
Expedited: None published; enclose prepaid Express Mail, FedEx or UPS packet for faster return
Documents West Virginia will apostille
- WV birth and death certificates (State Registrar or County Clerk)
- Marriage certificates certified by County Commission Clerk
- Divorce decrees certified by Circuit Court Clerk
- Court orders certified by the issuing clerk
- Recorded deeds, wills and estate documents certified by County Clerk
- WV-notarized documents with complete acknowledgment
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Plain photocopies
- Notarized documents with only a signature and seal and no acknowledgment statement
- Notary-certified copies when a WV office can issue a certified copy
- FBI background checks (go to U.S. Dept of State)
Notarized documents
Notarized documents need the full acknowledgment statement, original notary signature and rubber-stamp seal; signature and seal alone are insufficient. A notary may certify a true copy only when no WV office can issue a certified copy, must compare to the original, and must use specific acknowledgment language.
West 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 and death certificates must be certified copies signed by the State Registrar or the County Commission Clerk where the record is on file, bearing the office stamp. No stated age limit.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
West Virginia-specific points
- Same-official discount: $10 for the first document and $5 for each additional one signed by the same official
- Notaries may certify copies only when no WV government office can, and must keep a copy of what they certified
- Office publishes example notary acknowledgment statements because incomplete notarizations are the top cause of delay
- Apostilles may carry a stamped Secretary signature with a staff countersignature, which is on file with the U.S. State Department
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
West Virginia does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a West 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 West 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 West Virginia?
The Business Division, Apostilles and Authentications charges $10 per document. $10 first document, $5 each additional document certified by the same public official. Check or money order for exact amount payable to WV Secretary of State.
How long does a West Virginia apostille take?
Office aims for 48 business hours; walk-ins typically within minutes Expedited option: None published; enclose prepaid Express Mail, FedEx or UPS packet for faster return.
Can I get an apostille in person in West Virginia?
Yes. Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Eastern; walk-in customers usually served within minutes depending on document count; no appointment mentioned.
Does West Virginia require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Business Division, Apostilles and Authentications provided the notary is commissioned in West Virginia and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a West Virginia resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by West Virginia. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
