West Virginia
Federal Court Documents Apostille in West Virginia
How West Virginia residents get their Federal Court Documents authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the West Virginia Secretary of State can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
There is no federal apostille office in West Virginia. Federal documents like your Federal Court Documents are authenticated only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — the West Virginia Secretary of State can’t apostille them. We handle the Washington submission; you send the document by mail.
- Authenticated by
- U.S. Department of State
- West Virginia apostille office
- West Virginia Secretary of State, Charleston
- Our nearest office
- Washington, D.C. (by mail)
- Price
- $299 per document, government fees included
Federal courts in West Virginia
Federal court records from West Virginia come from the following courts (bankruptcy courts sit within the same districts):
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
Request a certified copy from the clerk of the district that issued your judgment, order or filing — a PACER printout won’t be accepted. The certified copy is then authenticated by the U.S. Department of State, not the West Virginia Secretary of State. Records from West Virginia state courts are different: those go to the West Virginia Secretary of State.
About the Federal Court Documents
How to apostille federal court documents — judgments, orders, and clerk-certified filings from U.S.
What the West Virginia Secretary of State can do
The West Virginia Secretary of State in Charleston issues apostilles for documents signed by West Virginia officials — birth, death and marriage certificates from West Virginia registrars, West Virginia state-court records, and documents notarized by West Virginia notaries. It has no authority over federal documents such as FBI reports, USCIS certificates or IRS letters.
State offices set their own procedures and fees, so confirm current requirements with the office before submitting a state document.
Getting it done from West Virginia
We serve West Virginia by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications. There’s no need to visit an office in person.
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | U.S. Department of State apostille | 10–12 business days |
| Non-Hague country | Authentication + embassy legalization | 15–17 business days |
Serving Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown and everywhere else in West Virginia.
Federal Court Documents in West Virginia — FAQ
Can the West Virginia Secretary of State apostille my Federal Court Documents?
No. This is a federal document, so only the U.S. Department of State can authenticate it. A state apostille on it would be rejected abroad.
Do I have to travel to Washington, D.C. from West Virginia?
No. We handle the Washington submission for you. Most West Virginia clients send their documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from West Virginia?
About 10–12 business days for Hague Convention countries and 15–17 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, plus shipping.
How much does it cost?
$299 per document for Hague countries, with government fees and U.S. shipping included; non-Hague destinations are $399 including embassy legalization.
Which federal court covers my West Virginia case?
West Virginia is covered by: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. Request the certified copy from the clerk of the district that issued it.
Related: Federal Court Documents — full guide · All documents in West Virginia · Federal vs. state apostille
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.