Get your marriage certificate apostilled for use anywhere in the world
We handle the entire authentication process from your state’s Secretary of State to the U.S. Department of State so your marriage certificate is accepted abroad without delays or rejected paperwork.
What is a marriage certificate?
A marriage certificate is the official government record proving that two people are legally married. It’s issued by the county or state where the ceremony took place, and once filed, the couple named on it is legally recognized as married under U.S. law.
You’ll need this document any time you change your name, add a spouse to insurance or tax filings, or prove your marital status to a foreign government, employer, or immigration office.
Why you might need your marriage certificate apostilled
A marriage certificate is valid on its own inside the U.S. But most foreign governments, banks, and immigration offices won’t accept a U.S. public document without an apostille confirming it’s genuine.
A marriage certificate typically includes:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Date of the marriage
- City, county, and state of the ceremony
- Name and title of the officiant
- Signatures of both spouses and officiant
- County or state filing/registration number
Common reasons clients apostille a marriage certificate
Spousal visas & residency
Applying for a spousal visa, residency permit, or family reunification abroad almost always requires an apostilled marriage certificate.
Registering your marriage overseas
If you married in the U.S. but live abroad, many countries require you to register the marriage locally using an apostilled certificate.
Legal name changes
Updating a foreign passport, bank account, or property title to a married name typically requires proof the certificate is authentic.
International adoption or custody cases
Family courts abroad often require apostilled proof of marital status before finalizing adoption or custody matters.
Property & inheritance matters
Transferring assets, settling an estate, or proving next-of-kin status overseas usually calls for an apostilled certificate.
Dual citizenship applications
Many countries require an apostilled marriage certificate as part of a dual citizenship or naturalization application.
Getting your marriage certificate apostilled
Four straightforward steps you can mail your documents to us from anywhere in the country.
Order a certified copy
Request a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the county or state vital records office. A plain photocopy won’t be accepted.
Send it to us
Mail your certificate to one of our offices, or drop it off in person, along with a completed order form and your destination country.
We handle the authentication
We submit your document to the correct Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State for federally issued records.
Receive your apostilled document
Your original certificate is returned with the apostille securely attached and ready to submit internationally.
IS THIS YOU?
Who typically needs this service
- Newlyweds relocating or immigrating abroad
- Military families stationed overseas
- Applicants for dual citizenship
- U.S. citizens married to a foreign national
- Couples updating foreign bank or property records
- Attorneys & relocation companies handling client paperwork
WHERE WE OPERATE
Nationwide coverage, every destination country
We process marriage certificate apostilles from any U.S. state and prepare documents for use in any destination country.
Frequently asked questions
No, your marriage certificate is legally valid on its own within the United States. An apostille simply certifies the origin of the document so it can be recognized by a foreign government, bank, or institution.
It’s not required for travel itself, but it’s strongly recommended for anything official abroad name changes, visa applications, or registering your marriage since most foreign governments won’t accept a U.S. document without one.
Standard processing generally takes about one to two weeks depending on the issuing state’s turnaround, while rush service can often be completed in a few business days.
If your marriage took place abroad, your certificate may need to be authenticated in that country first, or you may need to work with that country’s embassy or consulate. Contact us and we can walk you through the right path.
We need a certified copy issued by the county or state vital records office not a plain photocopy. The apostille attaches directly to that certified document.
Countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention accept a standard apostille. Non-member countries typically require a longer legalization process through their embassy or consulate