About Authentications
The purpose of an authentication by the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth is to verify that documents have been issued or notarized by certain Virginia officials that are listed in good standing with the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Cover Letter
Please provide this cover letter along with your documents
Fees and Fee Calculation
There is a fee of $10 for the first document and $5 for each additional document signed by the same Virginia official, on the same day, going to the same country. Documents signed by different Virginia official, signed on different days, or going to different countries will be $10 per document.
We accept checks and money orders. Please make out checks to the “Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia”.
What documents does this office not process
Please note, this is not limited to the following:
- Documents issued by a federal court, signed by a federal or consulate official
- Documents issued by a Federal Court
- Vital records not issued by the state of Virginia (births, deaths, marriages, etc. in other states or abroad
These can be authenticated by the Issuing state/country - Military notaries These can be authenticated by the federal Office of Authentications, travel.state.gov
- Federal officials
- Citizenship certificates
- Consulate officials
Contact Information
Address
Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
Authentication Division
1111 East Broad St, 1st Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-692-0114
Status Update
If it has been 10 days since you have sent your documents and you would like a status update, you may email the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
When checking the status, you must provide the following:
- Full name
- Mailing address
- Destination country, embassy, or consulate