West Virginia
Federal Marriage Record Apostille in West Virginia
How West Virginia residents get their Federal Marriage Record 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
Most federal marriage record holders in West Virginia actually have a state-issued record, which goes to the West Virginia Secretary of State. Only genuinely federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Authenticated by
- Depends on the issuer
- 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
Married in West Virginia? It’s probably a state record
Marriage certificates issued by a West Virginia county clerk or the state vital records office are state documents, apostilled by the West Virginia Secretary of State in Charleston — not by the U.S. Department of State. Only consular or federally issued marriage records take the federal route.
Send us a photo before ordering and we’ll tell you which route yours takes.
About the Federal Marriage Record
How to apostille a federally issued or consular marriage record for spousal visas and foreign registration.
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 Marriage Record in West Virginia — FAQ
Can the West Virginia Secretary of State apostille my Federal Marriage Record?
Only if it's a West Virginia-issued record. County and state-issued versions go to the West Virginia Secretary of State; genuinely federal ones go to the U.S. Department of State.
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.
Related: Federal Marriage Record — 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.