Apostille Facilitation State & Federal Documents
Taking documents overseas? We coordinate the entire apostille process on your behalf from document review through submission and return. One point of contact, clear timelines, no guesswork.We handle apostille services in Stafford VA, Fredericksburg, Quantico, and Northern Virginia, including document authentication through the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth and U.S. Department of State.
Virginia & Federal Apostilles
Clear Process & Timelines
No Hidden Fees
One Point of Contact
State Apostilles
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Federal (U.S. Dept. of State)
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Status Updates Throughout
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No Hidden Fees
State Apostille
For documents issued in any 50 states processed through the Secretary of State's office.
- Birth certificates
- Marriage and divorce certificates
- Death certificates
- Court orders and legal judgments
- Notarized documents and powers of attorney
- Educational diplomas and transcripts
- Corporate and business documents
- Adoption documents
Pricing
Apostille services start at $150
Rush processing available
What Is an Apostille
Two Types — Which Do You Need?
An apostille certifies a document's origin so it's recognized in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Not sure which type applies? Contact us before you commit.
Pricing
Federal apostille services start at $150. Contact us to confirm pricing for your document type before booking.
Federal Apostille
For federally issued documents — processed through the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
- FBI Identity History Summary (background check)
- Federal court documents
- Federally issued certificates
Not Sure Which You Need?
Contact us before starting your request. We'll confirm which authority processes your specific document before you commit to anything.
Our Process
How We Handle Your Apostille
01
Document Review
Submit your document details and we will review them to determine the correct apostille process.
We confirm the issuing authority, identify the appropriate state or federal office, and provide a clear timeline and service quote before any submission is made.
02
Submission
Once approved, we prepare your documents for apostille processing and coordinate submission to the appropriate authority, such as the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth or the U.S. Department of State.
Our goal is to ensure your documents are submitted accurately and efficiently the first time.
03
Tracking & Return
We monitor your document throughout the apostille process, provide status updates, and coordinate the secure return of your completed apostille documents so they are ready for international use.
Important — Please Read
AP&J Fingerprinting & Identity Services provides apostille facilitation services. We assist clients by preparing and coordinating the submission of documents to the appropriate issuing authority, such as the Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State.
AP&J is not a government agency, law firm, or issuing authority. Government processing times are determined by the issuing authority and cannot be guaranteed.
We do not provide legal advice. If you are unsure whether your document requires an apostille, which country's requirements apply, or how the document will be used internationally, we recommend confirming requirements with the receiving country's consulate or a qualified attorney before proceeding. Our team is happy to help review your documents and guide you through the apostille process before submission.
Service Area
Stafford, Fredericksburg & Surrounding Areas
Stafford
Fredericksburg
Spotsylvania
Woodbridge
Dumfries
Quantico
King George
Every apostille situation is a little different. The questions below cover what most clients need to know — but if your document, deadline, or destination country has you uncertain, do not guess. Reach out before you book. We review your documents, confirm the correct process, and give you a clear timeline and cost estimate before anything moves forward.
Q: What is the difference between an apostille and embassy legalization?
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A: An apostille is accepted by countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, which includes most of Europe, Latin America, Canada, Australia, and many other nations. If your document is going to a country outside the Hague Convention : such as Ghana, UAE, Pakistan, Colombia, and others embassy legalization is required instead. This involves additional authentication steps through the U.S. Department of State and the destination country's embassy or consulate. Not sure which process your country requires? Contact us before booking and we will confirm it for you at no charge.
Q: How long does an apostille take?
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A: Processing times are set by the issuing authority — not by AP&J — and can change without notice. As a general guide: Virginia Secretary of State routine processing currently runs 4–8 weeks, with an expedited option typically running 2–5 business days. Federal documents through the U.S. Department of State have longer timelines, with expedited options available depending on document type. Out-of-state documents vary by state. When you contact us, we confirm current timelines for your specific document before you commit to anything — so you always know what to expect before you book.
Q: Does my document need to be notarized before apostille?
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A: It depends on the document type. Government-issued vital records — such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and court orders — generally do not require prior notarization. Private documents such as powers of attorney, affidavits, diplomas, and personal statements typically must be notarized before they can be apostilled. If AP&J is also handling your notarization, we coordinate this as part of your appointment. Not sure about your specific document? Contact us and we will confirm exactly what is needed before you book.
Q: My document is from another state — can you help?
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A: Yes. Documents issued in another state must be apostilled by that state's designated authority — typically the Secretary of State where the document originated. AP&J coordinates out-of-state apostille submissions through trusted courier partners, managing the process on your behalf so you do not have to navigate each state's requirements yourself. Processing times and fees vary by state. Contact us with your document details and we will provide a clear timeline and cost estimate before you commit.
Q: What is the difference between a state apostille and a federal apostille?
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A: A state apostille applies to documents issued by a state government — such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, court orders, and notarized documents — and is processed through that state's Secretary of State office. A federal apostille applies to documents issued by the federal government — such as FBI Identity History Summaries, federal court documents, and federally issued certificates — and is processed through the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. If you are unsure which type applies to your document, contact us before booking and we will confirm it for you.
Q: Are government filing fees included in your service fee?
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A: No. AP&J's service fee covers facilitation — document review, submission coordination, tracking, and return handling. Government filing fees, courier and shipping costs, and any third-party fees charged by the issuing authority are separate and will be communicated to you clearly before any submission is made. There are no hidden costs — you will always know the full picture before you commit.
Q: What happens after I book?
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A: After booking, you will receive a confirmation with instructions on what to send and how to send it. AP&J will review your documents, confirm the correct apostille process and current timeline for your specific document, and provide a full cost breakdown before anything is submitted. Nothing moves forward without your approval. A $25 non-refundable deposit is required at booking to reserve your appointment and initiate the review process.
Q: Can you help with fingerprinting AND the apostille for an FBI background check?
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A: Yes. We offer FD-258 ink fingerprinting as a separate service, and we can coordinate the federal apostille once your FBI Identity History Summary is issued. Contact us to discuss the full workflow for your situation.