Apostille
An apostille or authentication may be required when a document issued or notarized in Virginia will be presented in another country. Modara helps clients understand the submission process, screen documents for common issues, coordinate required notarization, submit eligible documents and arrange return delivery.
An apostille is used for countries participating in the Hague Apostille Convention. A different authentication process may apply when the destination country is not a participating country.
Documents commonly submitted
Apostille facilitation may be available for:
Birth, death and marriage records
Divorce records and court documents
Diplomas and school transcripts
Powers of attorney
Affidavits
Adoption-related documents
Business and corporate documents
Background checks
Letters of authorization
Other eligible Virginia public or notarized documents
Please provide:
The destination country
The document’s state or country of origin
A clear copy or photograph for initial screening
The deadline, if applicable
Instructions provided by the foreign recipient
Your preferred return-delivery method
Any translation requirements communicated by the recipient
What to provide
Submit the document information and destination country.
We review the document for the appropriate general pathway.
You are informed of any apparent certification, notarization or replacement-document requirements.
Eligible documents are prepared and submitted to the appropriate Virginia authority.
Processing status and return delivery are coordinated.
The completed documents are returned using the selected delivery method.
How it works
Pricing
The Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth currently charges $10 per document. When multiple documents are signed by the same public official on the same date for the same country, the first document is $10 and qualifying additional documents are $5 each. Modara’s facilitation, travel, courier, shipping and expedited-service charges are separate and will be included in your estimate.
Virginia can authenticate eligible documents issued or properly notarized in Virginia.
Documents originating in another state generally must be authenticated by that state.
Apostilles are intended for international use, not transactions between U.S. states or territories.
Virginia currently does not apostille electronic notarizations.
Processing times are controlled by government agencies and shipping providers.
Apostille facilitation does not guarantee that a foreign recipient will accept a document.
Modara does not provide legal advice, translation, document preparation or immigration advice.
Important Information
An apostille authenticates the authority of the official or notary associated with the document; it does not certify the truth or legal effect of the document’s contents.