Short answer. The West Virginia Secretary of State issues apostilles here for $10 per document, by mail and in person. The office tries to process filings within 48 business hours; walk-ins are usually served within minutes.
Rather not deal with the office yourself? MCC Solutions handles apostilles for documents from West Virginia and every other state: we check the document, take care of any county step, submit it and ship it back to you, and we quote the price before any work starts. Request an apostille.
At a glance
- Issuing office
- West Virginia Secretary of State Official page
- Fee
- $10 per certification; when several documents are certified by the same official, the first is $10 and each additional one $5.
- How to submit
- By mail with Form AC-1, or in person 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
- Processing time
- The office tries to process filings within 48 business hours; walk-ins are usually served within minutes.
- Request form
- Apostille and Certification Request (Form AC-1) Open it
- Mailing address
- West Virginia Secretary of State, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Bldg. 1, Ste. 157-K, Charleston, WV 25305 (the Charleston office named on Form AC-1)
What each document needs first
- Vital records
- Certified copies signed by the State Registrar or the clerk of the county commission where the record is on file.
- Notarized documents
- The proper notary affidavit (acknowledgment statement).
- Court records
- Certified copies signed by the clerk of the court that issued the order.
- School records
- Signed by the appropriate school official and properly notarized in West Virginia.
Checklist by document
- Vital record: county step not confirmed, 1 step not confirmed
- Notarized document: county step not confirmed, 1 step not confirmed
- Court record: county step not confirmed, 1 step not confirmed
- FBI background check: no county step first
- School record: county step not confirmed, 1 step not confirmed
Worth knowing
FBI background checks go to the U.S. Department of State, not this office.
Signing a power of attorney, affidavit or consent for use abroad? The online notary and apostille package, or check whether your country needs an apostille or legalization.
MCC Solutions handles New Jersey apostilles, and our guide explains how to get an apostille in New Jersey. For other states, this page lists the office's own process.
Official sources
- Authentication of Documents for International Use, WV Secretary of State (checked November 2026)
- Apostille and Certification Request, Form AC-1 (Rev. 06/2026), WV Secretary of State (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal advice. Use the office's own request form where it has one. Federal records, including FBI checks, go to the U.S. Department of State, and a destination outside the Hague Convention also needs embassy legalization.
Common questions
Who issues apostilles in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Secretary of State. $10 per certification; when several documents are certified by the same official, the first is $10 and each additional one $5.
How do I apostille a West Virginia birth or marriage certificate?
Certified copies signed by the State Registrar or the clerk of the county commission where the record is on file.
Can a notarized document from West Virginia be apostilled directly?
The proper notary affidavit (acknowledgment statement).
How long does an apostille take in West Virginia?
The office tries to process filings within 48 business hours; walk-ins are usually served within minutes. Allow extra time for mail and for any certified copy you still need to order.
Can I get a West Virginia apostille in person or online?
By mail with Form AC-1, or in person 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
What about a West Virginia court record?
Certified copies signed by the clerk of the court that issued the order.
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