Apostille Marriage Certificate: Everything You Need To Know

An apostilled marriage certificate is often required when you apply for a spousal visa, register your marriage abroad, apply for residency, or change your name in another country. The apostille confirms that the official who signed your certificate is genuine, so foreign authorities accept it without embassy legalization. This guide covers who issues the apostille, how to get the right copy, and how long it takes.

When you need an apostilled marriage certificate

Spousal, family or partner visas and residence permits
Registering a U.S. marriage with a foreign civil registry
Changing your surname on foreign IDs or bank accounts
Dual citizenship or citizenship by descent applications for your spouse or children
Inheritance, pension and property matters abroad

The apostille is accepted in Hague Convention countries (130 contracting parties as of October 2026; see our list of apostille countries). For other countries you need authentication and embassy legalization.

Who issues the apostille

A marriage certificate is a state document. The apostille comes from the Secretary of State, or equivalent office, in the state where the marriage was registered, not where you live now. If you married in Nevada but live in Oregon, the Nevada Secretary of State issues it.

Getting the right copy of your marriage certificate

Your decorative certificate from the ceremony cannot be apostilled. You need a certified copy of the marriage record from:

The county clerk or recorder where the license was issued, or
The state vital records office

The copy must carry the signature and seal of an official the Secretary of State has on file. Some states only apostille copies signed by the state registrar, while others accept county clerk signatures; some require county-level certification first. Many foreign authorities also want a copy issued within the last three to six months.

Step-by-step process

Check the destination country’s rules, including how recent the copy must be and whether a translation is needed.
Order a certified copy from the county or state where the marriage was recorded.
Submit it to that state’s Secretary of State with the apostille request form and fee.
Receive the apostilled certificate, with the apostille attached to the document.
Get a certified translation if required. See whether to translate before or after the apostille.

Timelines and costs

State processing times vary from same-day walk-in service to several weeks by mail. Fees also vary; Oregon charges $10 per apostille.

Apostille Authentications charges $195 for the first document and $65 for each additional document, plus the state fee. Same-day service is available for Oregon, Washington, Texas and Virginia documents, depending on when we receive them. See our marriage certificate apostille service and pricing page.

Common problems and how to avoid them

Sending the ceremony certificate. Only a certified copy of the official record can be apostilled.
Wrong state. The apostille must come from the state where the marriage was registered.
Old copies. A certified copy from years ago may be rejected abroad even with a valid apostille.
Name differences. If your name appears differently on other documents, the foreign authority may ask for extra proof.

More examples are in our list of common apostille mistakes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apostille my marriage certificate in the state where I live now?

No. Only the state where the marriage was registered can apostille it.

Does the apostille expire?

No, but many countries only accept certificates issued within a recent period, often three to six months.

Can I apostille a photocopy of my marriage certificate?

No. You need a certified copy issued by the county or state vital records office.

Do I need a translation?

Many non-English-speaking countries require a certified translation. Our translation service can help.

Apostille Marriage Certificate: Everything You Need to Know