WEST VIRGINIA · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in West Virginia
Need a certified translation to go with your West Virginia apostille? Translation HelpDesk delivers court- and USCIS-ready certified translations at $0.05/word (most civil documents like birth, marriage, and death certificates run $15-25), typically in 24-48 hours, so your paperwork is ready before or after your trip to the Charleston Secretary of State. We back every job with our USCIS Rejection Pledge and a free 250-word sample so you can see the quality first. West Virginia issues its own apostilles through the Secretary of State's Business & Licensing Division, and we make sure the translation fits that process correctly, whether you translate before or after the seal is attached.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division (State Capitol Building, Charleston, WV 25305).
HOW IT WORKS IN WEST VIRGINIA
Getting an Apostille in West Virginia
In West Virginia, apostilles and authentications are issued by the Secretary of State's Business & Licensing Division in Charleston, not by any county or court. You submit the original document (or a certified copy) with a completed Apostille and Certification Request, Form AC-1, plus the state fee and the name of the destination country. If your document is notarized, it must carry the proper notary acknowledgment, the notary's original signature, and the notary's rubber-stamp seal, plain photocopies cannot be certified. Countries in the Hague Apostille Convention receive an apostille; non-member countries receive a certification (authentication) instead, which the same office also handles.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
Certified translation and the apostille are two separate steps, and order matters. For a West Virginia document going abroad, apostille the English original first, then have both the document and the attached apostille certificate translated, because the WV Secretary of State authenticates the seal and signature of the official who signed the original, not the translation. The most common mistake we see is translating the document before the apostille is attached, which leaves the apostille untranslated and forces a re-do at the foreign consulate or civil registry.
Translation HelpDesk provides the certified English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)) that USCIS accepts, and can advise on whether you need the apostille before or after translation for your specific document and destination.
FEES & TIMING
Cost & Turnaround
Apostille fee: West Virginia charges a per-certification state fee (with a reduced rate for additional documents certified by the same official in one order); state fees change, so verify the current amount on Form AC-1 or the Secretary of State site. Translation HelpDesk's certified translation is separate: $0.05/word, most civil documents $15-25.
Typical processing: WV apostille: in-person walk-ins in Charleston usually within minutes; mailed requests generally a few business days (verify current turnaround before mailing). Certified translation: typically 24-48 hours.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Secretary of State's Business & Licensing Division in Charleston (State Capitol Building) issues both apostilles (for Hague Convention countries) and certifications/authentications (for non-member countries). Counties and courts do not issue them, though a county clerk or the state Vital Registration office may first need to certify the underlying record.
Should I translate the document before or after the apostille?
For a West Virginia document heading overseas, get the apostille first, then translate both the document and the apostille certificate. The Secretary of State authenticates the original signature and seal, not the translation, so translating first usually leaves the apostille untranslated and creates problems abroad.
Does the West Virginia Secretary of State translate my document?
No. The Secretary of State only authenticates signatures and seals. Translation is a separate service. Translation HelpDesk provides the certified translation with a signed certificate of accuracy that accompanies your apostilled document.
How much does a West Virginia apostille cost?
The state charges a fee per certification (with a reduced rate for additional documents certified by the same official in the same order). Because state fees can change, confirm the current amount on the Secretary of State's site or Form AC-1. Our certified translation is billed separately at $0.05/word, with most civil documents at $15-25.
How long does a West Virginia apostille take?
In-person walk-in requests in Charleston are usually handled within minutes, while mailed requests are generally processed within a couple of business days (confirm current turnaround before mailing). Our certified translations are typically ready in 24-48 hours, so translation is rarely the bottleneck.
Can you translate a document coming into West Virginia from another country?
Yes. A foreign-language document should be apostilled in its country of origin first, then translated into English. We provide the certified English translation for USCIS, courts, universities, and West Virginia agencies, backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge.