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Mobile Notary & Apostille Services for International Document Authentication

Description: Simplifying the international document authentication process, we provide mobile notary services and handle the entire apostille process to ensure your documents are properly notarized and authenticated for global use. Contact us for rates and personalized service. No storefront—services are available by appointment.
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Understanding Apostille and Document Authentication for International Use

An Apostille is a certification used for documents in countries part of the Hague Convention. It differs from state-level authentication, which is not valid for use within the U.S. or its territories. Federal documents must be authenticated by the U.S. State Department, not state authorities. Translation isn’t required for authentication, and the process involves verifying that the notary or official signing your document is correctly listed in the state’s system. Depending on your destination country, documents may receive either a Great Seal or an Apostille.
Requirements for documents for authentication

For document authentication, specific criteria must be met based on the type of document:

  • Notarized Documents: Must be properly notarized by a Virginia notary within the last 12 months.
  • Vital Records (birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates): These cannot be notarized. They must be issued by the Virginia Department of Health or local DMV within the last 12 months. Marriage certificates from Circuit Courts must include the Certification of Official Record/Triple Seal.
  • Court Records: These must come from the appropriate Virginia Circuit Court within the last 12 months and cannot be notarized. The document must include a Certification of Official Record/Triple Seal, with a date and the signature of the Clerk of Court.
  • State Corporation Commission Documents: Must be issued by the Virginia State Corporation Commission within the last 12 months and signed by the Clerk of the Commission. These documents cannot be notarized.

Several types of documents frequently require an apostille for validation in countries part of the Hague Apostille Convention. These include:

  1. Birth Certificates: Often needed for immigration, obtaining citizenship, or marriage abroad.

  2. Marriage Certificates: Essential for legal procedures such as visa applications or name changes in foreign countries.

  3. Death Certificates: Important for settling estates or handling legal matters related to deceased individuals abroad.

  4. Academic Records: Diplomas, transcripts, and degrees for those studying, working, or pursuing opportunities overseas.

  5. Business Documents: Includes corporate papers, powers of attorney, and contracts for conducting business internationally.

  6. Criminal Background Checks: Needed for employment or immigration processes in foreign countries.

  7. Wills and Testaments: Ensures that the distribution of assets is legally recognized in other countries.

  8. Trust Documents: Used for managing and transferring assets across borders.

  9. Power of Attorney: Grants legal authority for someone to act on your behalf in a foreign country.

  10. Probate Court Orders: Confirms the legal authority of an executor to manage an estate’s assets internationally.

  11. Affidavits: Used to verify identity or intentions in legal proceedings abroad.

These documents typically need an apostille to confirm their authenticity and comply with international legal standards.

Service Areas for Convenient Notary Meetings

We are available to meet in the following primary and surrounding areas:

Primary Service Areas:

  • Newport News
  • York County
  • Seaford
  • Poquoson
  • Hampton
  • Williamsburg
  • James City County

Additional Areas:

  • Gloucester

Hours of Operations

Monday: 4:00pm-8:00pm
Tuesday: 4:00pm- 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 4:00pm- 8:00 pm
Thursday: 4:00pm- 8:00 pm
Friday: 4:00pm- 8:00 pm

Saturday 9am-3pm
Sunday- closed

Identification and Notarial Act
Requirements for Virginia Notaries

Virginia notaries are required to exercise great care in verifying the identity of individuals involved in a notarial act. If the person is not personally known to the notary, identification must be confirmed by examining one or more of the following unexpired documents:

  • U.S. Passport
  • U.S. Passport Card
  • U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
  • U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
  • Foreign Passport
  • Alien Registration Card with Photograph
  • State-Issued Driver’s License
  • State-Issued Identification Card
  • U.S. Military Identification Card

Alternatively, the notary can verify identity by taking the oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the notary and unaffected by the document or transaction. If two credible witnesses are present, each must also personally know the individual and show appropriate documentary identification.

Authorized Notarial Acts in Virginia: Virginia notaries are permitted to perform various official acts as specified by law:

  1. Taking Acknowledgments: Verifying the signature of the person acknowledging a document.
  2. Administering Oaths and Affirmations: Swearing in individuals to affirm or declare the truth.
  3. Certifying Affidavits or Depositions: Attesting to the truth of written statements under oath.
  4. Certifying True Copies of Documents: Verifying that copies of documents are accurate representations of the originals.
  5. Verifying Facts: Confirming specific facts or statements within documents.

Limitations on Virginia Notaries:

  • Virginia notaries cannot certify true copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates—only the Division of Vital Records is authorized to do so.
  • Virginia notaries cannot certify true copies of court-issued documents.
  • Virginia notaries cannot perform marriage ceremonies.

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