An apostille is an official certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document. It's required under the Hague Convention for documents to be legally recognized in foreign countries.

You need an apostille when using documents internationally for purposes such as marriage, adoption, business registration, immigration, education enrollment, or legal proceedings in any of the 120+ Hague Convention countries.

We can apostille a wide variety of documents including:

• Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
• Educational documents (diplomas, transcripts)
• Court documents and judgments
• Power of attorney documents
• Corporate documents and articles of incorporation
• Notarized documents and affidavits
• FBI background checks
• Medical records and certificates

Processing times vary based on the document type and your urgency needs:

• Standard Processing: Contact us for current timeframes
• Expedited Processing: 2-3 business days
• Rush Processing: 1-2 business days
• Same-Day Service: Available upon request for urgent needs

We'll provide you with an accurate timeline based on your specific documents and destination country requirements.

Yes! While we're based in Virginia Beach, we provide apostille services for documents from all 50 states. We have established relationships with Secretary of State offices nationwide.

For Virginia documents, we work directly with the Virginia Secretary of State's office in Richmond, which processes apostilles for documents issued within Virginia.

Each state has its own apostille authority, and we coordinate with the appropriate office based on where your document was originally issued.

The main difference depends on your destination country:

• Apostille: Used for documents going to Hague Convention countries (120+ countries including most of Europe, Asia, and Latin America). It's a single certificate attached to your document.
• Authentication: Required for non-Hague countries like China, UAE, and some Middle Eastern nations. This involves a multi-step process including state authentication and embassy legalization.

We handle both processes and will determine which your documents need based on your destination country.

Our fees depend on several factors:

• Document type and complexity
• Processing speed required
• State of origin
• Additional services needed (notarization, copies, etc.)

We provide transparent, upfront pricing with no hidden fees. Contact us with your specific documents for an accurate quote. We also offer bulk discounts for multiple documents.

In most cases, yes. Apostilles are typically applied to original documents or certified copies from the issuing authority.

We understand your concern about sending important originals. That's why we:

• Provide secure, trackable shipping options
• Are fully bonded and insured
• Handle documents with the utmost care and security
• Offer expedited processing to minimize handling time

In some cases, certified copies may be acceptable - we'll advise you based on your specific situation and destination requirements.

Virginia has specific requirements for apostille processing:

• Documents must be issued by Virginia authorities or notarized by a Virginia notary
• The Virginia Secretary of State office in Richmond handles all apostille requests
• Virginia requires proper notarization before apostille (where applicable)
• Processing typically takes 5-10 business days through the state office
• Virginia charges a state fee for each apostille certificate

As Virginia residents and licensed agents, we're familiar with all state-specific requirements and can expedite the process through our established relationships.

Absolutely! We offer comprehensive mobile notary services throughout Virginia and surrounding areas. Many documents require notarization before they can receive an apostille.

Our mobile notary services include:

• Convenient on-site notarization at your location
• Evening and weekend availability
• All types of document notarization
• Same-day service available
• Proper verification of signer identity

We can handle the entire process from notarization to apostille, saving you time and ensuring everything is done correctly.

Document rejections are rare when working with experienced agents, but they can happen. Common reasons include:

• Incorrect notarization or missing notary elements
• Documents not from the correct issuing authority
• Incomplete or damaged documents
• Expired notary commissions

If rejection occurs, we:

• Immediately contact you to explain the issue
• Provide guidance on how to correct the problem
• Help obtain proper documentation if needed
• Re-submit once issues are resolved
• Never charge additional fees for corrections due to our error

Yes! We keep you informed throughout the entire process:

• Confirmation when we receive your documents
• Updates when documents are submitted to authorities
• Notification when apostilles are completed
• Tracking information for return shipping
• Direct communication for any questions or issues

You can always call or email us for status updates. We pride ourselves on clear communication and transparency throughout the process.

While you can apply for apostilles directly, our service provides significant advantages:

• Time Savings: We handle all paperwork and coordination
• Expertise: Years of experience prevent costly mistakes
• Convenience: No trips to government offices or long wait times
• Speed: Our relationships with offices expedite processing
• Security: Bonded, insured, and secure handling of your documents
• Support: Personal assistance throughout the process
• Nationwide: We handle documents from all 50 states

Our clients save weeks of time and avoid the stress of navigating complex government processes. As a woman-owned, licensed Virginia business, we're committed to exceptional service.