Trusted Document Apostille Services in Virginia, USA

Virginia residents deal with international paperwork more than almost anyone in the country. If you are in Northern Virginia, the DC metro area, or anywhere across the Commonwealth, the chances are you already know how complicated getting documents authenticated for international use can be. A Virginia apostille from the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth in Richmond is the legal requirement - and one wrong document, one missing notary block, or one incorrect certification type sends your application straight back to you.

Globeia coordinates directly with the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office on your behalf. We review your Virginia-issued documents before anything is submitted - checking the certification type, notarization, and the validity requirement that Virginia strictly enforces. Your documents go in right the first time. No rejected submissions. No restarting.

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Turnaround Time*

7-10 business days

Globeia’s Affordable Prices

Normal Apostille: Starts at $195 USD

* Turnaround times are estimates and may vary in cases of high workload or backlogs. The mentioned duration reflects processing time only.
** Apostille pricing applies only to Hague Convention countries and to the Apostille service itself. Other processes may have different or higher fees, as requirements vary.

Get Started With Globeia's Virginia Apostille Process

Step 1 Apply and Complete Information: Click on Globeia’s SmartPortal to apply for a Virginia apostille. Fill in all your details, including your current country of residence, destination country, personal information, address, and any other required details.

Step 2 Upload Documents for Review: Upload your Virginia documents for apostille with complete notarization (if required) and certification. Globeia’s team will review all your details and documents for completeness before proceeding with the submission.

Step 3 Make Payment and Mail Documents: Make the applicable payment. If required, based on confirmation from the Globeia Team, send your original documents to us by mail. If you order vital records from VitalChek or any relevant authority, you can send them directly to our office via mail.

Step 4 Track Status: Check the status of your State of Virginia apostille using the real-time tracking dashboard at our portal. We will also send you regular notifications and status updates regarding your application.

Step 5 Receive Apostilled Documents: Once processed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, obtain your Virginia apostille certificate online or by mail. Additional charges for mailing apply.

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Steps to Apply for Globeia's Virginia Apostille Process

Apply & Complete Information

Upload Documents for Review

Make Payment & Mail Documents

Track Status

Receive Apostilled Documents

How to Prepare Your Documents Before Sending for Virginia Apostille

Before submitting your documents for apostille in Virginia, they need to meet specific requirements to be accepted without issues:

For mailing, gather your documents and complete the requirements, such as notarization and certification. Once the certified copy is obtained, complete the Virginia apostille form, including payment, and a self-addressed, stamped return envelope. Send everything to the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Authentications Office address. You can also receive the documents once they're apostilled by the secretary.

Vital records, including the birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates, need to come directly from the Virginia Department of Health - Vital Records Division or your local Department of Motor Vehicles within the past 12 months. These documents cannot be notarized.

If your marriage certificate was issued by the Circuit Court, make sure it carries a Certification of Official Record/Triple Seal.

Court records should be obtained directly from the relevant Virginia Circuit Court, also within the last 12 months. Notarization is not required, but the document must include a two-page Certification of Official Record/Triple Seal, along with a visible date, the Deputy Clerk of Court's signature, and their printed name.

State corporation commission documents must come straight from the Virginia State Corporation Commission, issued within the past 12 months and bearing the Clerk of the Commission's signature. These should not be notarized. If your document is a Notarized Document, the document must be properly notarized, by a Virginia notary, within the past 12 months.

Any notarization on eligible documents must be done by an authorized Virginia notary within the last 12 months. Documents in other languages are generally fine to submit, as long as the notarization of them is in English.

Frequently
Asked Questions

Where can I get an apostille in Virginia?

In Virginia, the only official government authority that issues an apostille is the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth located in Richmond, VA.

How do I get an apostille in Virginia?

You can contact Globeia for their apostille services in Virginia, USA. You just need to upload all your documents with the required certifications and notarizations on their online portal, and the team coordinates with the Secretary of the Commonwealth on your behalf.

How do I apostille my birth certificate in Virginia?

First, make sure that you have obtained your birth certificate from the Virginia Department of Health - Vital Records Division in the last 12 months. Once you have the correct certified copy, you can submit it to Globeia for review and processing. Our team will coordinate the Virginia apostille process on your behalf and keep you updated throughout. Your apostilled birth certificate will be delivered securely to your doorstep.

I live in New York but need a Virginia birth certificate apostilled. Is there any reliable apostille service for that?

Yes, you do not need to be physically in Virginia to get a Virginia document apostilled. Simply upload your documents through our portal for review, and if the original document is required, our team will provide mailing instructions. We will then handle the submission and processing with the Virginia authorities in Richmond.

Is there a time limit for documents to be apostilled in Virginia?

The Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth strictly enforces a policy where all public records and notarized documents must have been issued or signed within the last 12 months to be eligible for an apostille.

Can I get a copy of my birth certificate notarized for apostille in Virginia?

No, Virginia law strictly prohibits the notarization of vital records, including birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates. A notarized photocopy of a birth certificate will be rejected immediately. You must submit a fresh, official certified copy issued by the Virginia Department of Health within the past 12 months.

Does Virginia accept electronic notarizations for apostilles?

Virginia's current policy requires original wet-ink signatures from an authorized Virginia notary public for apostille processing. Always confirm the latest requirements directly with the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth before submitting.

I live in Virginia. Can I get my FBI Background Check apostilled by authorities here?

No. The Virginia state government only holds authority over documents issued within Virginia by Virginia public officials. Federally issued documents like FBI background checks must be apostilled by the US Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Can the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth apostille an out-of-state document?

No, the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth cannot process documents that originated outside of Virginia. For example, a Maryland birth certificate or a New York diploma cannot be authenticated in Richmond. Documents must be apostilled by the specific state or country of origin where they were issued.

What happens if Globeia reviews my document and finds an error?

If our pre-submission review flags an outdated signature, an incorrect notary block, or a missing court stamp, we won't submit it. Instead, our team contacts you immediately to guide you on how to obtain the correct version or fix the notarization.