APOSTILLE IN VIRGINIA

Notaries do not supply the Apostille seal nor is it our responsibility to obtain the apostille seal.  Documents must be sent to the Secretary of the Commonwealth for the Apostille seal or you can make an in-person appointment online.   Constituents cannot walk in and be seen without an appointment. 

If mailing documents, please plan accordingly.  It takes 7-10 business days after documents are received to process.  

For more information on obtaining an apostille in Virginia click on link below:

https://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/official-documents/authentications-2022/how-to-submit/.   “Our office is not affiliated with any apostille companies or services. The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth provides all Authentications from the State of Virginia. You may use any company at your own discretion but please be aware; they are not representatives of nor connected in any way to the Authentication Division of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.”

What I can do:

1.   Complete any required notarizations or copy certifications needed to submit document(s) to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.  Always provide the name of the country needing a Virginia Apostille or Certificate of Authentication. 

Then if you wish, I can:

1.   Help compile and prep documents to send to the Secretary of the Commonwealth requesting authentication. 

2.  If you wish to send required documents yourself, I can print out a courtesy Authentication Request form, cover letter, and checklist for you.

Authenticated documents from the SOC will be returned to client by the type of pre-addressed prepaid envelope or UPS/FED Ex air bill enclosed in shipping package. 

If document translation is required, this is the client's responsibility. If you're unsure if this necessary, contact the source receiving the final document.

Payment required in advance.   (There are separate payment fees charged by Secretary of the Commonwealth.  See below.)

 If Notary preps & ships document package to SOC:

1.   $60 for 1 (one) document ($10 for each additional document). Includes travel fee, notary seal, compiling documents & Standard mailing.

2.   $70 for 1 (one) document ($10 for each additional document). Includes travel fee, notary seal, compiling documents & Expedited mailing.

*SOC charges a fee of $10 for the first document and $5 for each additional document signed by the same Virginia official, on the same day, going to the same country. 

Documents signed by different Virginia official or signed on different days or going to different countries will be $10 per document.

They accept checks and money orders. Please make out checks to the “Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia".

SHIPPING CHECKLIST FOR APOSTILLE AUTHENTICATION IN VIRGINIA

1.      ___     Obtain proper signatures.

2.      ___     Confirm Certificates are attached to documents.

3.      ___     Cover letter completed and enclosed.

4.      ___     Complete Authentication Reques.t

5.      ___     Documents are properly notarized/issued.

6.      ___     Each document secured by a staple or paperclip.

7.      ___     Check or money order enclosed in correct amount. Made payable to ‘Secretary of the Commonwealth.”

8.      ___     Self-addressed, prepaid enveloped is enclosed.

9.      ___     Kept a record of the tracking information to and from the SOC.

10.  ___     Confirm address for Secretary of Commonwealth is correct.

11.  ___     Marriage, birth, death, divorce certificates and single status statements have been issued from VITAL RECORDS in the past 12 months. DOCUMENTS                           FROM VITAL RECORDS OR COURT HOUSE CANNOT BE NOTARIZED.

12.  ___     All other documents are properly notarized.

13.  ___     Mail package.  Confirm address in correct.