State guide
Federal Apostille Services in West Virginia
How West Virginia residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from West Virginia state documents handled by the West Virginia Secretary of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in West Virginia — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from West Virginia residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. West Virginia state documents go to the West Virginia Secretary of State in Charleston.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from West Virginia are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the West Virginia Secretary of State.
- West Virginia state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the West Virginia Secretary of State. We don’t provide state-level apostilles.
- Through us: $299 all-in for Hague countries (10–12 business days) or $399 with embassy legalization for non-Hague countries (15–17 business days).
- Do it yourself: Form DS-4194 and a $20 fee per document — processed within 5 weeks by mail, or 7 business days if you drop it off in Washington, D.C.
- State apostille office
- West Virginia Secretary of State
- Located in
- Charleston
- Federal court districts
- 2
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or West Virginia document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| West Virginia state police check | West Virginia Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| West Virginia birth, death or marriage certificate | West Virginia Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in West Virginia | West Virginia Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| West Virginia state court record | West Virginia Secretary of State |
Federal courts in West Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
How we serve West Virginia
We serve West Virginia by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications; our nearest office to West Virginia is Charlotte. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown and every other part of West Virginia.
Pricing is flat: $299 per document for Hague countries (10–12 business days) and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization (15–17 business days), government fees included.
Official sources: West Virginia Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries) · NASS — State Apostille Offices.
Documents for West Virginia residents
Pick your document for the exact route from West Virginia:
Where are West Virginia state documents apostilled?
West Virginia-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in West Virginia — are apostilled by the West Virginia Secretary of State, not by the U.S. Department of State. We don’t provide state-level apostilles, so request it directly from the office below. If it is going to a non-Hague country, get the West Virginia authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | West Virginia Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| In person | 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Bldg. 1, Ste. 157-K, Charleston, WV 25305 |
| Mailing address | 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Bldg. 1, Ste. 157-K, Charleston, WV 25305 |
| Phone | 304-558-8000 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $10 |
| Processing time (published) | Target within 48 business hours |
Source: West Virginia Secretary of State — official apostille page (checked October 2026). Fees, hours and appointment rules change — confirm with the office before you send anything.
How long does a federal apostille take from West Virginia?
The U.S. Department of State is the only office that issues a federal apostille. Mailed in yourself, it is processed within 5 weeks of receipt; dropped off in person in Washington, D.C., within 7 business days. Through us it takes 10–12 business days, or 15–17 business days for a non-Hague country that also needs embassy legalization.
| Route | How | Processing time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mail it yourself | Form DS-4194 + check to the Office of Authentications, Sterling, VA | Within 5 weeks of receipt | $20 per document + shipping |
| Drop it off yourself | 600 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C. — Mon–Thu, 7:30–9:00 AM, no appointment | Within 7 business days | $20 per document + travel |
| Emergency appointment | Only for a life-or-death family emergency with travel within 2 weeks | Same day | $20 per document |
| Through Federal Apostille USA | We review it, drop it off in D.C. and return it to you with tracking | 10–12 business days total | $299 all-in ($399 non-Hague) |
What does a federal apostille cost from West Virginia?
The government fee is $20 per document, paid with Form DS-4194. Our all-in price is $299 per document, covering the government fee, review, D.C. drop-off and U.S. return shipping; non-Hague destinations are $399 with embassy legalization.
Government figures: U.S. Department of State — Request Authentication Services (checked October 2026).
West Virginia — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in West Virginia?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The West Virginia Secretary of State handles only West Virginia state documents.
Who issues apostilles for West Virginia state documents?
The West Virginia Secretary of State in Charleston.
Which federal courts are in West Virginia?
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Do I need to visit an office in West Virginia?
No. We work with West Virginia clients by mail and handle the Washington submission for you.
How much does a federal apostille cost?
$299 per document for Hague Convention countries and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, with government fees and U.S. shipping included.
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.