How to obtain an apostille for birth and marriage certificate in Washington DC, VA, and MD? Step-by-step instructions.

An apostille is a form of certification used to authenticate documents in foreign countries. In the United States, apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State's office in the state where the document was issued.

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If you live in Washington, DC, Virginia, or Maryland and need an apostille for your birth certificate, there are a few steps you will need to follow.

If you need to obtain an apostille for a birth certificate in Washington DC, here are the steps you will need to follow:

 1. Obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate. You can request a certified copy of your birth certificate from the Department of Health, Vital Records Division.

 2. Submit your document to the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications of the District of Columbia. You can submit your document in person or by mail.  

Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 1 pm; WALK-IN Hours: 9 am-1 pm

Service Location:

GIS Address: 441 4th Street, NW, Suite 810 South Washington 20001

3. Pay the appropriate fee. The cost is $15 per document, payable by check, money order or Visa, Master Card, Discover, or American Express. All checks and money orders must be made payable to the "DC Treasurer” from a US Financial Institution in US Dollars and must be for the exact amount.

 4. Wait for your apostille to be processed. The processing time for an apostille in Washington, DC, is typically 1-5 business days.

Please note that this is a general guide, and the process and fees may vary depending on the office or authority you are submitting your documents. It's always best to check with the office or power to you submit the documents for their specific requirements and instructions.

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If you need to obtain an apostille for a birth certificate in Virginia, here are the steps you will need to follow:

1. Obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate. You can request a certified copy of your birth certificate from the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records.
2. Submit your document to the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. You can submit your document in person or by mail.

‍Mailing and physical address:

Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office
Authentication Division
1111 East Broad Street, 1st Floor
Richmond, VA 23219

If you want to arrive at the office, you must schedule the appointment in advance. Here is the link where you can schedule the appointment: https://solutions.virginia.gov/NotaryAuthenticationScheduler

3. Pay the appropriate fee. The fee for an apostille in Virginia is $10.00 per document. A check or money order can be made payable to "The Secretary of the  Commonwealth."

4. Wait for your apostille to be processed. The processing time for an apostille in Virginia is typically 5-7 business days.

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If you need to obtain an apostille for a birth certificate in Maryland, here are the steps you will need to follow:

1. Obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate. You can request a certified copy of your birth certificate from the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records.
2. Submit your document to the Office of the Secretary of State. You can submit your document in person or by mail.
3. Pay the appropriate fee. The fee for an apostille in Maryland is $2.00 per document. Payment can be made by check or money order made payable to the "Secretary of State."

Walk-in address:
16 Francis Street, Wineland Building, Annapolis, MD 21401

Mailing Address:
16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Hours:
8:30 - 12:00 and 12:30 - 4:00 (the office is closed for lunch from 12:00 - 12:30)
(including some State holidays - see below)

Telephone:
(410) 974-5521

4. Wait for your apostille to be processed. The processing time for an apostille in Maryland is typically 3-5 business days.

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Please note that this is a general guide, and the process and fees may vary depending on the office or authority you are submitting your documents. It's always best to check with the office or power you offer the documents for their specific requirements and instructions. Additionally, Maryland's apostille process may have changed after 2021, so it is recommended to check with the Maryland Secretary of State office for the most up-to-date information.

Please note that this is a general guide, and the process and fees may vary depending on the office or authority you are submitting your documents. It's always best to check with the office or power to whom you submit the documents for their specific requirements and instructions.

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