Virginia Apostille Service
Virginia apostilles are issued by the Authentication Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth in Richmond. The state fee is $10 per document, and $5 for each additional document from the same official. Mail requests take 7 to 10 business days; in-person service is by appointment only.
| Issuing office | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Authentication Division |
|---|---|
| Where to send | USPS: 1111 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Courier and in person: 400 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219 |
| State fee | $10 per document; $5 for each additional document from the same official |
| Mail processing | 7 to 10 business days |
| In person | By appointment only, Monday to Thursday |
| How to submit | By mail, courier or appointment, with the state cover letter |
| Our service fee | $195 per document, plus the state fee |
Fees checked October 2026 against the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Authentication Division.
Apostille Request Form
How long does an apostille take in Virginia?
Mail requests: 7 to 10 business days. In-person requests: by appointment only, Monday to Thursday.
Allow extra time for shipping in both directions. A missing certification or the wrong type of copy sends a document back and restarts the clock, so we check yours before it is submitted.
An FBI background check is federal, not a Virginia document. It goes to the U.S. Department of State, where regular processing takes 7 to 8 weeks. We offer an expedited FBI apostille in 10 business days.
How much does a Virginia apostille cost?
The state fee is $10 per document; $5 for each additional document from the same official, charged by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Authentication Division. Our service fee is $195 per document, which covers document review, submission to the state and return of your originals. Processing time is 10 business days, depending on state delays. Shipping and translation are quoted separately.
How to get an apostille in Virginia: step by step
- Get a vital record from the Virginia Department of Health, or a document notarized by a Virginia notary, issued within the past 12 months.
- Generate the required cover letter on the state authentications site.
- Mail by USPS to 1111 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219, or send by courier to 400 East Cary Street.
- Include a prepaid return mailer.
What to watch for with Virginia documents
- Documents older than 12 months are refused.
- Appointments open online on Fridays at 10 a.m. for the following week.
Personal documents
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Death Certificate
- Divorce decrees and judgment
- Naturalization Certificate
- Adoption dossier
- Copy of passport
- Copy of drivers license
- Deeds and wills
- Single status affidavit
- Car or automobile title
- Travel authorization
- State police record
- FBI background record
- No Record Of Marriage
- Apostille Agreement
Corporate documents
- Certificates of incorporation
- Certificates of good standing
- Certificates of origin
- Trademarks/patents
- Business power of attorney
- FDA certificates
- Invoices and free sale certificates
- Department of the Treasury (Form 6166)
- Foreign government certificate CFG
Academic documents
- University/college diploma or transcripts
- High School diplomas or transcripts
- Attendance Certificates
Along with the request form, you’ll need to mail in your original document or certified copy. Make sure to include a self-addressed and stamped return envelope so they can mail your document back once it’s been apostilled. Apostille authentication recommends using tracked mail both ways to ensure safe delivery.
This apostilled document can then be presented along with your original document to authorities overseas as proof that it is valid and came from a genuine source.
How we help with your Virginia apostille
You can file a Virginia apostille yourself with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Authentication Division. Many people use us because a rejected document costs more time than the fee.
- We check your document first. Send a photo or scan. We confirm it is the right version, signed by the right official, before anything is submitted.
- We fix what is missing. If your document needs notarizing, a new certified copy, or a county or court certification, we arrange it.
- We submit and collect. We send your documents to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Authentication Division in Richmond and return the apostilled originals by tracked courier, in the US or abroad.
- We handle the federal side too. FBI background checks and other federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State, not the state. We do both.
- You can talk to a person. Call (971) 514-3743 or request a video consultation.
Our fee: $195 per document, plus the Virginia state fee ($10 per document; $5 for each additional document from the same official). 100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.
Our Herndon office is at 462 Herndon Pkwy, Suite 105, Herndon, VA 20170. You can also mail your documents to us from anywhere, or visit our offices in Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Vancouver, Herndon and Houston.
Our Northern Virginia office is in Herndon. See apostille services in Herndon, Virginia for the address, hours and local details.
Do you need a translation?
An apostille confirms the signature on your document. It does not translate it. If the country you are sending it to does not use English, the receiving office will usually ask for a certified translation as well.
We provide certified translation, so your Virginia document can be apostilled and translated in one order. Each translation comes with a signed certificate of accuracy.
Order matters. Some countries want the translation done after the apostille so the apostille page is translated too; others have their own translator requirements. Tell us the country and we will confirm the correct order before you pay. Contact us for a translation quote.
Related apostille services
Virginia apostille FAQ
How much does a Virginia apostille cost?
The state fee is $10 per document; $5 for each additional document from the same official, charged by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Authentication Division. Our service fee is $195 per document, plus the state fee.
How long does a Virginia apostille take?
Mail requests: 7 to 10 business days. In-person requests: by appointment only, Monday to Thursday.
Where do I get a Virginia apostille?
Virginia apostilles are issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Authentication Division in Richmond.
Can Virginia apostille my FBI background check?
No. FBI background checks are federal and are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. We handle that for $195 with regular processing in 7 to 8 weeks, or $390 expedited in 10 business days.
Do I need an apostille or an authentication?
Countries in the Hague Apostille Convention accept an apostille. Other countries need an authentication followed by embassy legalization. Tell us the country and we will confirm which applies.
Can you apostille a Virginia document if I live outside Virginia?
Yes. Mail us the document from anywhere in the world and we return it by tracked courier.
Source: Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Authentication Division. Last checked October 2026.