An apostille certifies the authenticity of a public document for use in countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention. Randolph-Macon College assists alumni and former students by preparing eligible academic documents for submission to the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth, the office responsible for issuing apostilles in Virginia.
Requesting an Apostille
Submit a signed request to the Registrar’s Office that includes:
- The academic document requiring an apostille (typically an official transcript or diploma).
- The country where the document will be used.
- The address where you would like the completed documents mailed.
- If you are requesting an apostille for an official transcript, you must submit an official transcript request through Parchment and select registrar@rmc.edu as the delivery destination.
- If you are requesting an apostille for a diploma, email a clear, 8.5” X 11” scanned copy of your diploma to registrar@rmc.edu. Randolph-Macon College does not retain copies of diplomas. The Registrar’s Office will verify the authenticity of the diploma before submitting it for authentication.
Fees and Payment
Obtaining an apostille involves the following fees and payment requirements:
- State Fees: Refer to the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth – Authentications for current fees and document standards.
- Payment: Payment should be made by check payable to Randolph-Macon College.
- Shipping: Postage and mailing costs are in addition to the state fee and will vary based on the destination and shipping method.
Processing
After receiving your request, the Registrar’s Office will:
- Prepare the required academic documents.
- Arrange for notarization, when required.
- Submit the documents to the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth for apostille processing.
- Mail the completed documents to the address you provided once they are returned to the College.
Processing typically takes three to five weeks, although timeframes may vary based on the volume of requests received by the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Delivery time through the U.S. Postal Service is additional and cannot be guaranteed. A tracking number will be provided when your documents are mailed.
Questions?
Please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@rmc.edu with any questions about the apostille process.