How to Obtain a Triple Seal from the Fairfax County Circuit Court for Use Abroad

When presenting U.S. documents like divorce decrees or marriage certificates to foreign governments, simply providing a copy or even a notarized version often isn’t enough. For international use—especially in countries requiring an apostille or embassy legalization—your documents may first need to be authenticated through a process known as the Triple Seal. This certification is issued by the Clerk of the Fairfax Circuit Court in Virginia and is commonly required for documents filed at that court.

In this guide, we explain the step-by-step process to obtain a Triple Seal from the Fairfax Circuit Court for two commonly requested documents: divorce decrees and marriage certificates.

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What Is a Triple Seal?

A Triple Seal is a certification issued by a Virginia Circuit Court Clerk’s office that verifies:

1. The document is a true and certified record filed with the court.
2. The clerk who signed the certification is authorized to do so.
3. The court’s seal is authentic.

This form of court authentication is recognized for use in both apostille and embassy legalization processes. It is often required before you can submit the document to the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth or to a consulate for further authentication.

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When Do You Need a Triple Seal?

You typically need a Triple Seal when:

• You are submitting a divorce decree to a foreign court or embassy to prove that your marriage was legally dissolved.
• You are using a marriage certificate (issued by the Circuit Court) for international purposes, such as changing marital status abroad, applying for a foreign spouse visa, or presenting it to a foreign embassy.
• You intend to apostille or legalize a Virginia court document.

Without the Triple Seal, your document may be rejected during the apostille or embassy legalization process.

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1. Triple Seal for Divorce Decrees

A divorce decree is a court-issued document that finalizes a divorce. If the divorce took place in Fairfax County, Virginia, it is part of the records at the Fairfax Circuit Court.

Steps to Obtain a Triple Seal for a Divorce Decree:

Step 1: Request a Certified Copy

• Visit the Fairfax Circuit Court or request by mail.
• Provide the names of both parties and the date of divorce if known.
• Pay the certified copy fee (typically $2.50 per page + $2 for certification).

Step 2: Request the Triple Seal

• When requesting the certified copy, ask specifically for the “Triple Seal” or “Certification of Official Record.”
• The clerk will affix a seal and sign a certification sheet to be used for apostille or embassy purposes.
• Additional fee for the Triple Seal is typically $2–$5.

Step 3: Use for Apostille or Legalization

• Once you receive the Triple-Sealed decree, it is ready to be submitted to the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth for apostille or sent to the appropriate embassy.

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2. Triple Seal for Marriage Certificates (Issued by the Circuit Court)

Virginia has two types of marriage certificates:

• Vital Records Version: Issued by the Virginia Department of Health—this version cannot be notarized or triple sealed.
• Circuit Court Version: Issued by the Fairfax Circuit Court where the marriage was originally recorded. This is the version eligible for Triple Seal.

Steps to Obtain a Triple Seal for a Marriage Certificate:

Step 1: Verify It Was Filed at the Circuit Court

• Triple Seals are only issued for certificates filed and issued by the Circuit Court.
• If your marriage took place in Fairfax County, you likely qualify.

Step 2: Request a Certified Copy

• Visit the Public Services Division of the Fairfax Circuit Court.
• Provide the full names of the spouses and the approximate marriage date.
• Certified copy cost: Usually $2.50 per page + $2 for certification.

Step 3: Request the Triple Seal

• When requesting your copy, specify that it will be used internationally and that you need a Triple Seal.
• The clerk will attach a cover page with seal and signature for international authentication.
• There may be a small additional fee for this certification.

Step 4: Submit for Apostille or Embassy Legalization

• You may now submit the certified, Triple-Sealed document to:
  • The Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth for an apostille.
  • The appropriate embassy or consulate for legalization, if apostille is not accepted in the destination country.

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Processing Time and Fees

• In-person requests: Same-day service in most cases.
• By mail: Processing may take 1–2 weeks depending on court workload.
• Triple Seal cost: Usually under $10 total for certification and seal.
• Document copies: Additional pages or copies may increase the fee slightly.

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Important Reminders

• Always confirm whether the receiving country accepts apostilles under the Hague Convention. Some countries (like China or the UAE) require embassy legalization instead.
• If your marriage certificate was issued by Vital Records, you cannot obtain a Triple Seal—you must request the Circuit Court version.
• Divorce decrees must be final and signed by a judge to be accepted for triple sealing and international use.

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Need Help with the Process?

If you’re located outside of Virginia or simply want to save time, DC Mobile Notary can help you handle the entire process, including:

• Obtaining certified copies.
• Requesting the Triple Seal from the Fairfax Circuit Court.
• Submitting the document for apostille or embassy legalization.
• Providing translations if needed.

We can obtain apostille certificates and Triple Seal documents for you.
Contact us at 202-247-0837 or email support@dcmobilenotary.com to get started.

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