South · WV
The Mountain State
How to get an apostille in West Virginia
In West Virginia, apostilles are issued by the West Virginia Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications. Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a West Virginia apostille looks like.
- Capital
- Charleston
- Governor (2026)
- Patrick Morrisey
- State flower
- Rhododendron
- State bird
- Northern Cardinal
Apostille signed by West Virginia Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications
Step-by-step: an apostille in West Virginia
- 01
Confirm the document is West Virginia-issued or notarized by a West Virginia notary public.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the West Virginia Secretary of State authenticates the notary's commission, not your signature directly. Vital records and court documents skip this step (they are certified by the issuing office instead).
- 03
For vital records, obtain a certified copy from the West Virginia Vital Registration Office (Department of Health).
- 04
Complete the apostille/authentication request and identify the destination country.
- 05
Submit by mail or in person with the fee and a prepaid return envelope.
- 06
Receive your apostille or certificate of authentication.
West Virginia apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | West Virginia Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications |
|---|---|
| State fee | $10 per document (verify current fee) |
| Processing time | Mail-in is typically 1–2 weeks; in-person service is available in Charleston. |
| Mailing / submission | Mail to the West Virginia Secretary of State, in Charleston (verify the current address online). Include the fee, destination country, and prepaid return postage. |
Documents commonly apostilled in West Virginia
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates (certified copies from the state vital-records office)
- Divorce decrees and court orders (certified by the clerk of court)
- Powers of attorney and affidavits (signed before a notary)
- Single-status / no-record affidavits for marriage abroad
- Diplomas, transcripts, and degree certificates
- Corporate documents — articles of incorporation, good-standing certificates, board resolutions
- Commercial and export documents
Federal documents (such as an FBI background check) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not by West Virginia.
Specimen
What a West Virginia apostille looks like
A West Virginia apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the West Virginia Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications as the issuing authority. Below is an illustrative specimen — it is not a valid document and contains no real data.
See specimens for all states →- 1.Country United States of America
- 2.has been signed by [NAME OF SIGNER]
- 3.acting in the capacity of [CAPACITY — e.g. Notary Public]
- 4.bears the seal / stamp of [ISSUING OFFICIAL / SEAL]
- 5.at [CITY / PLACE]
- 6.the [DATE]
- 7.by West Virginia Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
West Virginia apostille FAQ
- Where do I get an apostille in West Virginia?
- The West Virginia Secretary of State's office in Charleston issues apostilles and authentications, by mail or in person.
- How long does a West Virginia apostille take?
- Mail-in processing is typically one to two weeks; in-person service in Charleston is faster. Confirm current timelines online.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the West Virginia apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the West Virginia Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.
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