How to Get an Apostille in Virginia for the DAFT Visa Visa
Getting an apostille in Virginia is straightforward. The Secretary of the Commonwealth processes apostilles for birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other state documents.
Processing Time: 5-10 business days Cost: $15 per document Methods: Mail, In-person
What You Need
Documents that need Virginia apostille:
- Birth certificate (if born in Virginia)
- Marriage certificate (if married in Virginia)
- Other Virginia state documents
FBI background check is apostilled by US Department of State, not Virginia.
The Process
Step 1: Order certified copy of your document from Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records ($12, 2-4 weeks).
Step 2: Mail to Secretary of the Commonwealth with $15 payment, or go in person to the office.
Step 3: Wait 5-10 business days for processing.
Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $12 |
| Apostille | $15 |
| Return shipping | ~$12 |
| Total | $37-$42 |
Timeline
Total time: 3-5 weeks
- Order certificate: 2-4 weeks
- Apostille: 5-10 business days
Start 2 months before you need it.
Expedited Service
Virginia offers expedited apostille processing:
- Fee: $35
- Time: 24 hours
Same-day service may be available in person.
In-Person Option
1111 E. Broad Street, 4th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219 Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm Same-day service available for $35 per document
Contact
Secretary of the Commonwealth
- Website: https://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov
- Phone: (804) 786-2441
- Email: apostille@governor.virginia.gov
For general apostille information, see Apostille Process Explained.
Related Resources:
- Birth Certificate Apostille Guide - Complete birth certificate process
- DAFT Documents Checklist - All required documents
- Complete DAFT Guide - Full application walkthrough
Digital Guide — $99
We're not immigration lawyers—just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.