West Virginia
U.S. Passport Copy Apostille in West Virginia
How West Virginia residents get their U.S. Passport Copy 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
If your U.S. Passport Copy was notarized in West Virginia, its apostille comes from the West Virginia Secretary of State in Charleston — not from Washington.
- Authenticated by
- West Virginia Secretary of State
- West Virginia apostille office
- West Virginia Secretary of State, Charleston
- Our nearest office
- Washington, D.C. (by mail)
- Price
- Quoted
Notarized in West Virginia: the exact route
A notarized document like this is authenticated through the notary, not the federal government. If it was notarized in West Virginia, the apostille is issued by the West Virginia Secretary of State in Charleston.
- Hague Convention destination: the West Virginia apostille is the final step.
- Non-Hague destination: the West Virginia-authenticated document then goes to the U.S. Department of State and on to the destination’s embassy.
We don’t submit to the West Virginia Secretary of State directly. Once your document has its West Virginia authentication, we handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for non-Hague destinations ($399).
Get the notarial wording right before signing — requirements vary by destination, and a mistake means redoing the whole chain.
About the U.S. Passport Copy
How to apostille a certified copy of a 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 | State apostille | Varies by state |
| Non-Hague country | State authentication, then federal + embassy | 15–17 business days after the state step |
Serving Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown and everywhere else in West Virginia.
U.S. Passport Copy in West Virginia — FAQ
Can the West Virginia Secretary of State apostille my U.S. Passport Copy?
Yes, if it was notarized in West Virginia — a notarized U.S. Passport Copy is apostilled by the state where it was notarized.
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?
It depends on the state step first; for non-Hague destinations, our federal and embassy steps take 15–17 business days after that.
How much does it cost?
Pricing depends on where the document was notarized and the destination; we confirm it before any payment.
Related: U.S. Passport Copy — 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.