# FAQs: Attesting Vatican City Documents > Frequently asked questions about authenticating documents and obtaining Apostille Stamps in #STATE3# - vital records, divorce judgements, certificates of good standing and degrees issued by #STATE3# universities. **Source** [FAQs - Authenticating Virginia documents](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/virginia-apostille-faqs)> **Related:** [Virginia Apostille Service](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/virginia-apostille-authentication) · [Apostille Virginia Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/virginia-apostille-vital-records) · [Get a Quotation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry) --- ## General Questions ### How long does it take to obtain an apostille from Virginia? Apostilles are obtained from the Secretary of the Commonwealth in **4 - 5 business days** (VIRGINIA: Apostilles are available from the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 4-5 business days (an expedited service of 1-2 business days is also available). NOTE: All processing times are estimated. Actual processing time is dependant on the authentication authority and is subject to change without prior notice.) For urgent requests an expedited service is available (subject to the availability of appointments): **1 - 2 business days** (VIRGINIA: Expedited Apostilles are available from the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1-2 business days (subject to the availability of appointments). NOTE: All processing times are estimated. Actual processing time is dependant on the authentication authority and is subject to change without prior notice.) ### What documents can be certified in Virginia with an Apostille Stamp? Virginia Apostille Stamps can be obtained for Vital Record Certificates issued by the Virginia Department of Health or the Department of Motor Vehicles, court documents and marriage certificates certified by the Circuit Court, business documents, including Certificates of Good Standing, Existence and Registration certified by the Virginia State Corporation Commission and signed by the Virginia Clerk of the Commission, as well as documents certified by a [Virginia notary](https://soc-notary.azurewebsites.net/search), including Virginia university degrees and high school certificates, powers of attorney and affidavits.Documents must have been issued or certified within the last 12 months to be valid for an Apostille in Virginia.To confirm whether your document is valid for an Apostille Stamp, please [Contact Isarey](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/contact-Isarey) for a free document check. ### Will an apostille stamp from Virginia be accepted abroad? If documents are required for submission to the authorities or consulate of a signatory country of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention), an apostille stamp affixed by the Secretary of State of will generally be recognized directly as confirming authenticity, although a [certified translation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/certified-sworn-translations) may also be required if presenting to a country that does not have English as an official language. If documents are required for presentation in a country that is not a signatory to the apostille convention (e.g. UAE, Qatar, Taiwan, Vietnam), then an apostille stamp is not valid. Documents will need to be authenticated at State level in , then by the State Department Authentication Division, and finally by the embassy or consulate of the destination country in the United States. A Certified Translation may also be required. ### Where can I find more information about certifying Virginia documents? For further information about apostilles and authentications or to obtain a quote for assistance submitting your documents, with free eligibility pre-check, international collection and delivery by courier, please [Contact Isarey](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/contact-Isarey) or send Isarey your documents using Isarey's [Online Quotation Form](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry). ### What is a Virginia Apostille Stamp and why would I need one? A Apostille is a certificate that is affixed by the Secretary of State to a public document. It certifies the authenticity of the signature appearing on the document as that of an authorized public official and confirms the capacity of that official (e.g. State Registrar, notary public). Apostille stamps are often required when submitting a document, such as a birth certificate, to the authorities of a foreign country or to a foreign embassy in the United States (for example, as part of a visa or citizenship application). Apostilles are recognised by the authorities and embassies of countries that are members of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) For more information on Apostilles, see: - [The ABCs of Apostilles (PDF)](https://assets.hcch.net/upload/abc12e.pdf) - [Virginia Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/virginia-apostille-authentication) ### Where can I see reviews of Isarey's Virginia Attestation and Apostille Services? You can see reviews from past clients who have used Isarey's attestation and apostille services: - [ISAREY reviews on Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/isarey-document-attestation.com) - [ISAREY reviews on Google](https://goo.gl/maps/cuvbEYN25Xg5b8jg7) ### How can I obtain an Apostille Stamp to certify a document in Virginia for use abroad? Apostille Stamps to authenticate documents can be obtained from the Secretary of State. Apostille stamps are only valid for documents that are required for submission to countries that are signatories to the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) - [Virginia Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/virginia-apostille-authentication) ### How do I legalize documents issued in Virginia for submission to countries that are not members of the Apostille Convention? documents that need to be authenticated for non-apostille countries (e.g. United Arab Emirates, Qatar) must be authenticated by the Secretary of State with an Authentication Certificate and then attested by the recipient country's embassy in the United States. Most embassies will also require an additional authentication the [U.S. Department of State](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/replace-certify-docs/authenticate-your-document/office-of-authentications.html) in Washington DC. - [Virginia Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/virginia-apostille-authentication) ### What does a Virginia Apostille look like? Apostilles follow the standard format laid down in the Apostille Convention. Some examples of documents certified with Apostille stamps: - [Virginia Birth Certificate with Apostille Stamp](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/Virginia-birth-certificate-Apostille-Stamp) See [What does an Apostille look like?](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/FAQs-Document-Attestation#faq_236_s) ## Birth, death and marriage certificates ### How can I obtain a new certified copy of a Virginia birth, death or marriage certificate suitable for an Apostille? Certified copies of Virginia birth, death and marriage certificates are available from the Virginia Department of Health. Certificates can be ordered online through VitalChek (express service), or directly on the Department of Health's website. Certificates can also be obtained from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (at all full service DMV locations). - [VitalChek - order Vigirinia vital records online](https://www.vitalchek.com/v/vital-records/virginia) - [VitalChek - order Vigirinia vital records online](https://www.vitalchek.com/v/vital-records/virginia) - [Virginia Department of Health - Vital Records FAQs](https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/frequently-asked-questions/) - [https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/records/vital](https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/records/vital) ### How can I obtain an apostille on a vital record certificate issued in Virginia? Virginia birth, death and birth certificates can be authenticated with an Apostille Stamp from the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Certificates must be issued by the Virginia Department of Health or the Department of Motor Vehicles. Marriage certificates issued by Circuit Courts may be also be authenticated (Circuit Court documents should contain a Certification of Official Record/Triple Seal in addition to the signature and printed name of the Clerk of Court or Deputy Clerk.Vital Record not issued within the last 12 months are not valid for a Virginia Apostille. A new copy must be ordered. ## Corporate documents ### How can I get an Apostille on a Virginia Certificate of Good Standing? A Virginia Certificates of Good Standing (Corporations) or Certificates of Fact of Existence (LLCs) can be authenticated with an Apostille from the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Certificates must be certified by the Virginia State Corporation Commission and signed by the Virginia Clerk of the Commission. ## Academic documents ### How can I authenticate Virginia university degree certificates for use abroad? university degree certificates, course transcripts and high school diplomas can also be authenticated as notarized copies. A true copy is certified by a notary (this can often be done from a scan without having to submit the original) and then authenticated with an Apostille Stamp from the Washington DC Secretary of State. Authenticated documents can also be attested by the embassies of Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates. For further information, see: [University Degrees and School Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/United-States-apostille-academic-documents) ## Notarized documents ### Can Virginia Apostilles be obtained on documents not written in English? Notarized documents in languages other than English can be authenticated with an Apostille in Virginia, but the notarial certification must be in English.