In Richmond and across Virginia, apostilles are issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, based in the state capital. Through our apostille and legalization services, we help clients navigate current state procedures and document requirements while keeping each Virginia apostille request accurate and on track.
Apostille or Great Seal — Virginia Issues Both
The Richmond office can issue either an apostille or a Great Seal certification, depending on where your document will be used. The destination country determines which path applies:
- Apostilles are used for documents going to countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention.
- Great Seal certifications are used for non-Hague countries and may be followed by additional legalization steps.
Appointments at the Authentication Division
You can submit a Richmond apostille request in person Monday through Thursday by appointment. New appointment slots for the following week are released online on Fridays after 10 a.m., so you’ll need to book through the state’s scheduling system.
Mail Submission from Anywhere in Virginia
If you need an apostille in Richmond, VA, but are located elsewhere in the state, you can send your documents directly to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Use the address that matches your delivery method:
- USPS: Secretary of the Commonwealth, Authentication Division, 1111 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
- FedEx, UPS, or DHL: Secretary of the Commonwealth, Authentication Division, 400 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
