How to Get an Apostille in West Virginia

Educational information, not legal advice. Fees, addresses and processing times reflect the West Virginia Secretary of State and can change. Confirm current details on the official sos.wv.gov page before you mail anything.

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Who issues apostilles in West Virginia?

Apostilles in West Virginia are issued by the Secretary of State, through the Business Authentications Division at the State Capitol in Charleston. The office authenticates the signature and seal of a West Virginia notary or public official, issuing an apostille for Hague Convention countries and a certification for the rest. It handles West Virginia documents only, so a record from another state goes to that state. A private document such as a power of attorney must be notarized by a West Virginia notary first, while vital records and court documents are certified by the issuing office instead. You request the apostille using form AC-1, the state's Apostille and Certification Request.

How much does a West Virginia apostille cost?

A West Virginia apostille costs $10 per document, regardless of how many pages the document contains, payable to the West Virginia Secretary of State. Include a prepaid return envelope so the finished apostille comes back to you promptly. As always, the $10 is the state charge only, and any private service adds its own handling fee on top, which is the larger part of the flat rates advertised online. Because the request is filed on form AC-1, it is worth confirming the current fee printed on that form before you send payment, since fees can change and the form is the authoritative source.

Where do West Virginia documents come from?

West Virginia records come from different offices depending on the document, and using the right source is what keeps a request from being rejected. Birth and death certificates come from the state Vital Registration office, marriage records are certified copies from the county clerk that recorded the marriage, and divorce decrees and other court records are certified by the circuit court clerk in the county where the judgment was entered. Diplomas and transcripts come from the university as a sealed packet or registrar letter addressed to the Secretary of State, and you must not open a sealed packet, because an opened one is generally rejected and has to be reissued. Getting the source right the first time is the single biggest time-saver here.

Can West Virginia apostille an FBI background check?

No, West Virginia cannot apostille an FBI background check, because it is a federal document authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Sending a federal report to Charleston means it comes back unprocessed. The West Virginia Secretary of State authenticates documents issued or notarized in West Virginia, such as a West Virginia birth certificate from the Vital Registration office or a power of attorney notarized by a West Virginia notary. Out-of-state and federal documents are routed to their own offices instead.

By the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: West Virginia Secretary of State, Apostille and Certification Request (sos.wv.gov). Look up the current fee and address on the official site before you file.