What is an Apostille?

An Apostille is the legalisation of public documents.  It is a certificate issued by competent authority of the State (such as Deputy Governor), which certifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the person signing the document has acted and, where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp which it bears.

Which documents require apostille certification?

The Hague Convention (Convention de La Haye du 5 Octobre 1961), applies to public documents which have been executed in the Territory of one contracting State and which have to be produced in the Territory of another contracting State. These public documents include:

• documents emanating from an authority or an official connected with the courts or tribunals of the State, including those emanating from a public prosecutor, a clerk of a court or a process server (“huissier de justice”);
• administrative documents;
• notarial acts;
• official certificates which are placed on documents signed by persons in their capacity, such as official certificates recording the registration of a document or the fact that it was in existence on a certain date and official and notarial authentications of signatures.

However, the present Convention shall not apply:

• to documents executed by diplomatic or consular agents;
• to administrative documents dealing directly with commercial or customs operations

Where can these services be obtained?

Apostille services can be obtained at the following locations:

Deputy Governor’s Office, Third Floor, West Wing, Central Administration Complex, Road Town, Tortola

Civil Registry and Passport Office, Burhym Building, Road Town, Tortola

High Court Registry, Old Administration Building, Road Town, Tortola

International Affairs Secretariat, Haycraft Building, BVI Finance Centre, Pasea Estate, Tortola

What are the costs for these services?

A $40 stamp duty per document is payable.

What are the contact details for more information?

For more information, contact the following:

Deputy Governor’s Office
Central Administration Complex
Road Town, Tortola VG 1110
British Virgin Islands

Tel: (1) 284 468 0346
Fax: (1) 284 494 6481

Department of Civil Registry & Passport Office
Burhym Building
Road Town, Tortola VG 1110
British Virgin Islands

Tel: (1) 284 494 3701 Ext. 3442/3
Fax:  (1) 284 494 2783

High Court Registry
Old Administration Building
Road Town, Tortola VG 1110
British Virgin Islands

Tel:  (1) 284 494 3492
      (1) 284 494 3701Ext. 5001/5015
Fax: (1) 284 494 6664

International Affairs Secretariat
Haycraft Building
Pasea Estate
Tortola VG 1110
British Virgin Islands

Tel: (1) 284 494-1509
Fax: (1) 284 494-1216