How to Apostille a Virginia Single status affidavit (2026 Guide)
To apostille a Virginia single status affidavit, swear the affidavit (certificate of no record of marriage / free-to-marry) before a notary public. Then submit it to the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth for $10 per document. Mail processing takes about 5–10 business days. For a non-Hague destination, you also need US Department of State authentication and embassy legalization.
| Government fee | $10 per document |
|---|---|
| Where to send it | Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth |
| Required copy | Swear the affidavit (certificate of no record of marriage / free-to-marry) before a notary public. |
| Mail time | 5–10 business days |
| Counter | mail only |
| County pre-cert | Not required for this document |
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Step 1 — Get the right copy
Swear the affidavit (certificate of no record of marriage / free-to-marry) before a notary public. In Virginia, virginia vital records come from the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.
Step 2 — Submit to the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth
Include a signed cover sheet naming the destination country, payment payable to the authority above, and a prepaid return envelope. Confirm exact requirements on the official page linked in sources. Pay $10 per document by check or money order. There is no counter service, so mail is the only option — plan on 5–10 business days.
Step 3 — Check the destination country
If your document is going to a Hague Apostille Convention member, the apostille is the last step. If the destination is not a member, you continue to the U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications for authentication and then to that country's embassy for legalization. Confirm with theCountry Checker.
Common rejection reasons
- Wording does not match what the receiving country requires
- The notarization is incomplete or the county pre-cert step was skipped
Who typically needs this
Marrying abroad (almost every country asks for it).
Proving eligibility to marry to a foreign registrar.
Frequently asked questions
＋How much does it cost to apostille a single status affidavit in Virginia?
The Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth charges $10 per document. You pay separately for the certified copy and your return envelope.
＋Can I apostille a photocopy of my single status affidavit?
No. Virginia apostilles the certified or properly notarized document, not a plain photocopy. Wording does not match what the receiving country requires
＋How long does it take?
Mail processing in Virginia runs about 5–10 business days. There is no counter option. A non-Hague destination adds the federal and embassy steps on top.
＋Who usually needs a single status affidavit apostille?
People who marrying abroad (almost every country asks for it) or need it for proving eligibility to marry to a foreign registrar. The apostille lets a foreign authority accept your Virginia single status affidavit.
Other Virginia documents
Sources
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor
Last verified: July 13, 2026 against the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth and the HCCH status table(official page). See how we verify and how often on ourmethodology page.
This is informational, not legal advice. The receiving authority sets the final requirements — confirm with them and the office named above before you send anything.