Virginia Background Check & Apostille Guide

Issuing agency

Virginia State Police (VSP)

Steps to request and apostille your record

1. STEP 1Request Your Background Check

   • Virginia background checks are handled by the Virginia State Police (VSP) through their SP-167 form (Criminal History Record Name Search Request).
   • Complete the SP-167 form — available at vsp.virginia.gov/services/forms/. Your signature must be notarized under the 'affidavit for release of information' section. The receiving agency or individual must also have their signature notarized.
   • The fee is $20 for a Criminal History and Sex Offender Search. An optional Remote Online Notary (RON) feature is available for an additional $25 if you need to complete notarization electronically.
   • Mail your completed, notarized form with payment to: Virginia State Police, Civil & Applicant Records Exchange, 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235.

2. STEP 2Receive Your Results

   • Standard processing takes approximately 15 business days after the Virginia State Police receives your mailed request. There is no expedited or same-day service currently available.
   • IMPORTANT — Starting July 1, 2026, Virginia is launching a new online portal that will allow individuals to access their criminal background check instantly online, eliminating the need for mailing paper requests. If your application timeline extends past July 2026, the online portal may be available.
   • Results include Virginia state criminal history only. Whether you also need a separate FBI background check depends on your route and current Ecuador eVISAS guidance — confirm before ordering. The criminal-record certificate must be issued within 180 days of your visa application date.

3. STEP 3Apostille Your Background Check

   • Once you receive your Virginia background check results, get the document apostilled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
   • The fee is $10 for the first document. If multiple documents are signed by the same person on the same day for the same country, each additional document is $5. Payment is to the 'Secretary of the Commonwealth.'
   • In-person service is available at the Richmond office with same-day processing. Appointments open each Friday after 10:00 AM for the following week.
   • Mail submissions: USPS to 1111 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. FedEx/UPS/DHL to 400 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Mail processing takes 5–7 business days.

4. STEP 4Translate via EcuadorTranslations.com

   • Ecuador requires a certified Spanish translation of your apostilled background check. EcuadorTranslations.com provides certified translation and notarization services specifically for Ecuador visa documents.
   • Cost is $150 per document, or $130 per document when submitting 3 or more documents together. Turnaround is 3 business days.
   • Upload your apostilled document at EcuadorTranslations.com and receive your certified, notarized translation ready for your Ecuador visa application.

Apostille authority

Key notes

• Virginia's SP-167 form requires notarization of both the requester's and the recipient's signatures — plan for this extra step.
• Virginia has no expedited mail processing for background checks — the 15 business day turnaround is fixed. Plan your timeline accordingly.
• Virginia's Clean Slate Law takes effect July 1, 2026, which may seal certain older convictions from appearing on background checks.
• Contact the VSP Civil & Applicant Records Exchange at (804) 674-2131 for questions.

Sources and verification