West Virginia Apostille for Documents Used in Türkiye
West Virginia apostilles for Türkiye: certified copies with original signature and raised seal, divorce decrees, diplomas and FBI checks.
West Virginia apostilles are issued by the Business Division of the Secretary of State, requested with Form AC-1. The apostille is a certificate in a standard format with the state seal stamped in red ink.
One rule runs through most requests: a certified copy from a County Clerk, Circuit Clerk or Registrar must carry an original signature of the clerk or a deputy and a raised impression seal.
By document type
Birth and death certificates must be certified copies signed by the State Registrar or by the Clerk of the County Commission where the records are on file, bearing the stamp of the office. Divorce decrees must be certified copies signed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court that issued the decree, again with the office stamp.
Certified diplomas need an original signature by the appropriate school official and proper notarization in West Virginia. Notarized documents, such as a power of attorney for Türkiye, must include the notary's acknowledgment statement, original signature and rubber stamp seal. Company bylaws and certificates of good standing are among the documents the office lists for use abroad.
FBI background checks are not handled here; they go through the U.S. Department of State.
After the apostille
The document is translated into Turkish in Ankara by sworn translators in Türkiye. Where the Turkish authority requires it, a Turkish notary certifies the translation, and the authority decides on acceptance.
Who issues the apostille
| Document family | Competent authority | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Civil status | West Virginia Secretary of State, Business Division | sos.wv.gov |
| Court | West Virginia Secretary of State, Business Division | sos.wv.gov |
| Education | West Virginia Secretary of State, Business Division | sos.wv.gov |
| Notarial | West Virginia Secretary of State, Business Division | sos.wv.gov |
| Company | West Virginia Secretary of State, Business Division | sos.wv.gov |
| Federal | U.S. Department of State, Authentications Office | sos.wv.gov |
Frequently asked questions
- Who issues the apostille for civil status documents from West Virginia?
- West Virginia Secretary of State, Business Division. West Virginia birth or death certificates: certified copies signed by the State Registrar or by the Clerk of the County Commission where the records are on file, bearing the stamp of the office.
- Who issues the apostille for court documents from West Virginia?
- West Virginia Secretary of State, Business Division. Divorce decrees: certified copies signed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court which issued the decree, bearing the stamp of the office.
- Who issues the apostille for education documents from West Virginia?
- West Virginia Secretary of State, Business Division. Certified diplomas must bear an original signature of the appropriate school official and be properly notarized in West Virginia.
- Who issues the apostille for notarial documents from West Virginia?
- West Virginia Secretary of State, Business Division. A notarized document must carry the proper notary affidavit (acknowledgment statement), the notary's original signature and the notary's rubber stamp seal.
- Who issues the apostille for company documents from West Virginia?
- West Virginia Secretary of State, Business Division. Company bylaws, trademarks, agreements and certificates of good standing are among the example documents that may require authentication for use abroad.
- Who issues the apostille for federal documents from West Virginia?
- U.S. Department of State, Authentications Office. FBI background checks needing an apostille must go through the U.S. Department of State; the page says not to send them to the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office.