Overview
The office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth is responsible for commissioning notary publics in Virginia, pursuant to §47.1-8 of the Code of Virginia. Please visit the Secretary's website for more information or contact their office by telephone at (804)786-2441. Page includes links to:
- Notary Application
- Notary Handbook
Additional Information - Additional information about the notary application process provided by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, including obtaining your notary commission from the Fairfax County Courthouse.
Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Online Notary Application Wizard - Online application for appointment as Notary Public that can be submitted electronically.
Notary commissions can be claimed in the Public Service Division of the Fairfax Circuit Court. Please call 703-691-7320 press 3, 4, 0 beforehand to ensure your commission has arrived. The cost is $10 payable by cash, money order, cashier’s check, business check or personal check. Checks should be made payable to the Clerk of the Court. Starter checks are not accepted. Visa and Mastercard are also accepted, with a 4% transaction fee. The Public Service Division of the Fairfax Circuit Court is located at the Fairfax County Courthouse in Suite 116. We are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our telephone number is (703) 691-7320 press 3, 4, 0.
Hours and Contact Information
The hours of the Public Service Division are 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If you have any questions, please call the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 703-691-7320.
Authentication of Documents Signed by Virginia Officials (Great Seal or Apostille)
Authentications of documents signed by Virginia Officials (also known as the Great Seal or an Apostille) verify to foreign governments that Virginia officials are in good standing. These officials include notaries public, clerks and deputy clerks of Virginia courts, registrars and deputy registrars of the Department of Health and the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission. Authentications for Virginia officials are only issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Any document requiring an authentication must contain original signatures and be less than one year old from the date the document is signed by the Virginia official.
