Virginia: Apostille & Authentication Services
Professional apostille and authentication for Virginia documents being used internationally.
Virginia • Nationwide • International
Virginia Apostille Services — Fast. Accurate. P rofessional.
Virginia documents must be properly prepared for international use. Prismark reviews your documents first, determines the correct path, and coordinates the appropriate apostille or authentication process from start to finish.
Not sure what your document requires? We can help.
Virginia Documents We Handle
Vital Records
Birth • Marriage • Death • Divorce
Academic Documents
Diplomas • Transcripts • School Records
Legal & Notarized Documents
Powers of Attorney • Affidavits • Other Notarized Documents
Business Documents
Corporate Records • Agreements • Resolutions
Virginia Public & Court Records
Court Documents • Virginia Background Checks • Other Qualifying Public Records
FBI Background Check?
Federal documents follow a different process. We handle those too.
Apostille or Authentication?
The destination country determines how your Virginia document must be processed.
Hague Convention Countries
Generally require an Apostille through the Virginia Secretary of State of the Commonwealth.
Examples: Mexico • Colombia • France • Germany • Italy • Spain
Non-Hague Countries
Generally require a Certificate of Authentication through the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth and may require additional federal and/or embassy or consular legalization.
Examples: Cuba • Thailand • Vietnam • United Arab Emirates • Egypt
Not sure which one you need? We’ll determine the correct process for your destination country.
Why Clients Choose Prismark
When accuracy and communication matter, Prismark makes the process easier.
- Documents reviewed in advance
- Virginia requirements coordinated for you
- Clear communication throughout the process
- Original documents handled securely and with care
- Translation and international shipping available
- Nationwide and international document support
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Translation Services & International Delivery
Need your documents translated or shipped internationally? Prismark can take care of that too.
Professional Translation
Translation services available in 150+ languages, including certified and specialized translations when required.
Domestic & International Delivery
Secure return delivery available throughout the U.S. and worldwide using major express carriers.
One process. One point of contact.
What is a Virginia apostille?
A Virginia apostille authenticates the signature and authority of a qualifying Virginia public official or notary for use in a country that participates in the Hague Apostille Convention. Apostilles for Virginia documents are issued by the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth.
What types of Virginia documents can be apostilled?
Common documents include birth, marriage, death, and divorce certificates; diplomas and transcripts; powers of attorney; affidavits; business records; court documents; and other qualifying Virginia documents. Requirements vary depending on the document type and issuing authority.
Who issues apostilles in Virginia?
Virginia apostilles and authentications are issued by the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, through its Authentication Division in Richmond, Virginia.
Unlike many other states, Virginia uses the title Secretary of the Commonwealth rather than Secretary of State.
Does Virginia require documents to be issued or notarized within the past 12 months?
Yes. Virginia has a specific 12-month requirement for several document categories.
Notarized documents must generally have been notarized by a Virginia notary within the preceding 12 months. Virginia vital records, qualifying court records, and State Corporation Commission documents must generally have been issued within the preceding 12 months.
For example, a birth certificate documenting a birth many years ago may still qualify if the certified record was recently issued by the appropriate Virginia authority.
Prismark can review your document’s issuance or notarization date before processing.
Can I apostille an older Virginia birth, marriage, or death certificate?
Virginia generally requires vital records submitted for apostille or authentication to have been issued within the past 12 months.
If your certified record is older, you may need to obtain a newly issued certificate from the Virginia Department of Health’s Vital Records Division or another authorized issuing office.
The 12-month requirement concerns when the certified document was issued, not when the birth, marriage, or death occurred.
What is Virginia's Triple Seal requirement for court documents?
Virginia Circuit Court documents generally require a Certification of Official Record, commonly called a Triple Seal.
This certification verifies the court record and the authority of the issuing court official.
Documents such as divorce decrees, name-change orders, and certain marriage records may require this certification before the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth can authenticate them.
Court records must also satisfy Virginia’s applicable 12-month issuance requirement.
Prismark can help identify whether your document requires additional court certification.
Does my Virginia document need to be notarized before receiving an apostille?
It depends on the document.
Privately signed documents, such as powers of attorney and affidavits, generally require proper Virginia notarization.
Government-issued vital records, court documents, and qualifying corporate records generally require the appropriate official certification instead.
Virginia vital records and court records should not be notarized as substitutes for properly issued certified documents.
Prismark reviews the document to determine the correct preparation requirements.
What are Virginia's notarization requirements for apostilles?
Virginia requires properly completed original notarizations.
The notarial certificate must contain the required information, including the notarization date, county or independent city, appropriate notarial wording, notary signature, commission expiration date, registration number, and official seal.
The notarization must generally have been performed within the preceding 12 months.
Missing information or an improperly completed notarization can result in rejection.
Can Virginia apostille electronically notarized or remotely notarized documents?
Virginia permits electronic notarization, including remote online notarization.
However, the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth currently states that its Authentication Division cannot authenticate electronic notarizations with an apostille or Great Seal authentication.
If your document requires international authentication, contact Prismark before arranging electronic or remote notarization so we can review the appropriate options.
Where are Virginia apostilles processed?
Virginia apostilles and authentications are processed by the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth in Richmond, Virginia.
Submission methods and processing arrangements vary depending on the type of request and current state procedures.
Prismark coordinates the appropriate processing method based on your documents and deadline.
How long does the Virginia apostille process take?
Processing time depends on the document type, preparation requirements, submission method, and current state processing conditions.
Certain documents may require additional certification or replacement before they can be submitted.
Mail and commercial processing arrangements may involve different turnaround times.
Contact Prismark with your documents and deadline so we can review the available processing options.
How much does the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth charge for an apostille?
The Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth currently charges $10 per document for apostille or authentication services.
Certain qualifying groups of documents signed by the same public official on the same date for the same destination country may qualify for reduced additional-document fees.
Government fees are separate from Prismark service fees, shipping, translation, and other applicable charges.
Can Virginia apostille documents issued in another state or FBI background checks?
Generally, no. Virginia authenticates qualifying Virginia-issued documents and signatures of authorized Virginia officials.
Documents issued or notarized in another state generally follow that state’s authentication process.
FBI background checks are federal documents and require the appropriate federal authentication process rather than a Virginia apostille.
Prismark also coordinates FBI background check authentication.
Can Prismark handle my Virginia apostille if I live outside Virginia?
Yes. You do not need to live in Virginia or travel to Richmond.
Prismark can coordinate the Virginia apostille or authentication process remotely, including document review, applicable state processing requirements, and secure return delivery throughout the United States or internationally.
Can Prismark arrange professional translation and international delivery?
Yes. Prismark coordinates professional translation services in 150+ languages, including certified, sworn, and specialized translations when required.
We can also arrange secure domestic and international document delivery using major express carriers.
Translation requirements vary by destination country and receiving authority. Prismark can help coordinate the appropriate services for your documents.
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Need a Virginia Document Apostilled?
Let Prismark take care of the process.
Send us your document details and destination country, and we’ll review what’s required. For the fastest review, include:
- Document type
- Where the document was issued
- Destination country
- Number of documents
- Your deadline
- Current location of the original documents
You can also send us a clear photo or scan for preliminary review.