State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Virginia
How Virginia residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Virginia state documents handled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Virginia — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Virginia residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Virginia state documents go to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia in Richmond.
- State apostille office
- Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Located in
- Richmond
- Federal court districts
- 2
- Our office
- Richmond
Federal or Virginia document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Virginia State Police check | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Virginia birth, death or marriage certificate | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia |
| Document notarized in Virginia | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Virginia state court record | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia |
Federal courts in Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
City guides: Richmond · Virginia Beach · Arlington
How we serve Virginia
We have an office in Virginia: Richmond. Most clients still send documents by mail — it’s the fastest route to Washington. We cover Virginia Beach, Richmond, Arlington, Norfolk, Alexandria and every other part of Virginia.
Pricing is flat: $299 per document for Hague countries (10–12 business days) and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization (15–17 business days), government fees included.
Documents for Virginia residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Virginia:
Virginia — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Virginia?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia handles only Virginia state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Virginia state documents?
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia in Richmond.
Which federal courts are in Virginia?
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia; U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia.
Do I need to visit an office in Virginia?
No. We work with Virginia clients by mail and handle the Washington submission for you.
How much does a federal apostille cost?
$299 per document for Hague Convention countries and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, with government fees and U.S. shipping included.
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.