APOSTILLE & DOCUMENT AUTHENTICATION
Apostille & Document Authentication: The Signature Service
Some documents don't just need a signature — they need to be recognized as legitimate by a foreign government. An apostille authenticates a public document for use in any Hague Convention member country, without requiring embassy legalization. This is Red Tails' flagship Signature Service — and our Alexandria, VA hub gives us a genuine operational advantage. We sit minutes from Washington, D.C.'s Office of Authentications, and within reach of two state capitals — Richmond, VA and Annapolis, MD — where our clients' documents are actually processed. One important note: apostilles and state authentications are for foreign use only — they are not valid or necessary anywhere within the United States.
State Apostilles vs. the Federal Process — Know the Difference
If your document was notarized in Virginia, Maryland, or Florida, it's authenticated by that state's Secretary of State. If issued by a federal agency, it goes to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, using Form DS-4194, for a $20 federal fee. Red Tails will help you determine which track your document needs before you pay any fee.
Apostille Service in Virginia
Virginia apostilles and authentications are issued by the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Authentication Division in Richmond. Virginia accepts submissions by mail or by appointment — walk-ins are not accepted, and couriers/companies cannot use the appointment system; those submissions go through a drop box, with documents returned by mail.
Pricing: Virginia state fee is $10 for the first document, $5 for each additional document. Red Tails Signature Service fee is $125 for the first document, $65 for each additional. Timeline: Mail-in takes 7–10 business days; drop-box (courier route) takes 5–7 business days. No expedited tier is available for courier submissions.
Apostille Service in Maryland
Maryland apostilles are issued by the Maryland Secretary of State, Certification Desk in Annapolis. Maryland's key quirk: a notarized document must FIRST be certified by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the notary was commissioned — only then will the Secretary of State certify or apostille it. Red Tails manages this two-step sequence for you.
Pricing: Maryland state fee is $5 per document. Red Tails Signature Service fee is $125 for the first document, $65 for each additional. Timeline: Walk-in service is same-day, limited to 15 documents per customer per day, 9am–1pm Monday–Friday. Mail turnaround is 1–4 days depending on carrier.
Apostille Service in Florida
Florida apostilles are issued by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations' Apostille Section in Tallahassee. An original certified copy is required — photocopies are not accepted. Two important realities: Florida does NOT offer expedited service, and payment must be by check or money order only — no cash, no credit cards.
Pricing: Florida state fee is $10 per document standard, $20 for Clerk-of-Court certified copies. Red Tails Signature Service fee is $135 for the first document, $65 for each additional. Timeline: Standard processing takes at least 5 business days, in order received. Walk-in in Tallahassee needs no appointment. Expedited service is not offered under any circumstance.