Marriage certificate apostille
Do you need a Hague apostille for a U.S. marriage certificate? Start here...
Securing an apostille for a marriage certificate in the United States involves navigating different procedures, as each state sets its own apostille requirements. The process can vary based on the state’s issuing office, required forms, and specific authentication steps. This page provides a comprehensive, state-by-state overview of the apostille process for marriage certificates, offering clear instructions to help you complete the process accurately and without unnecessary delays.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arizona apostille requirements for marriage certificates
To be eligible for Arizona apostilles, marriage records in Arizona must be issued and certified by the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the marriage license was issued.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
Marriage and divorce records in Arizona are maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the event occurred.
Marriage and divorce records are unrestricted (public) in the State of Arizona.
We can assist you in obtaining a certified copy of your Arizona marriage certificate and having it apostilled. ORDER ONLINE.
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get an Arizona apostille
Send the original marriage certificate by mail for an Arizona apostille.
In the State of Arizona, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document. It is signed by the Arizona Secretary of State and has a Great Seal of the State of Arizona. Arizona apostilles are issued in English/French/Spanish.
Arizona apostille: $175
Processing time: app. 2 weeks + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
Arkansas
Arkansas apostille requirements for marriage certificates
To be eligible for an apostille, an Arkansas marriage certificate must be a certified copy issued by the Arkansas Department of Health’s Vital Records office or by the County Clerk in the county where the marriage license was issued.
A notary public may not certify a photocopy of a document that is a vital record or a public record.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
Arkansas marriage records are maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records Division. You can request a copy of a marriage record online, by mail, or in person.
To obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate, contact Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records: Order Marriage Records - Arkansas Department of Health
Arkansas is a "closed record" state. That means that marriage certificates are not public records. The following individulas are eligible to get a certified copy of the marriage certificate:
- Individual age 16 and older (named on the record)
- Mother
- Father (if named on the certificate)
- Children
- Grandchildren
- Maternal grandparents
We can obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate if you fill out the Authorization form and email it to us along with a copy of your ID.
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get an Arkansas apostille
Send the original marriage certificate and the Order form by mail for an Arkansas apostille.
In the State of Arkansas, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document. It is signed by the Secretary of State (facsimile signature) and has the Seal of the Secretary of State. Each apostille has the name of the country the document is intended for.
Arkansas apostille: $175
Processing time: app. 2 weeks + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
California
California apostille requirements for marriage certificates
To be eligible for California apostilles, California marriage certificates need to be certified copies issued by
Marriage certificates signed by County Health Officers, Deputy Health Officers, Health Care Agencies, or County Vital Records Sections are also acceptable. However they require additional legalization steps.
The signature, name, and title of the public official can be found at the bottom of a marriage certificate.
Old documents are acceptable (in most cases). However, check with the receiving foreign agency if they will accept an old document. Many foreign agencies require that the document is recently issued.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact County Clerk/Recorder, County Registrar-Recorder, County Controller-Recorder, County Assessor-Recorder in the county where the marriage was registered: County Registrars and Recorders
You can also obtain a certified copy from the Department of Public Health (1905-1999, 2008-2024): Vital Records Obtaining Certified Copies of Marriage Records
Do not order a marriage certificate from the Local Registrar. The processing of an apostille will take additional time (sometimes, a few weeks) and will involve additional costs
If you have a certified copy of the marriage certificate, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a California apostille
If your document is eligible, send the original marriage certificate to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining an apostille.
In the State of California, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document by staples. It is signed by the California Secretary of State (facsimile signature) and has the Seal of the Office of the Secretary of State. California apostilles are issued in English/French/Spanish.
California apostille: $175
Processing time: app. 2 weeks + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
Colorado
Colorado apostille requirements for marriage certificates
To qualify for a Colorado apostille, your marriage certificate must be a certified copy issued by the county clerk or recorder in the county where the marriage license was originally filed.
Notarized copies are not accepted for apostille purposes.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
To obtain a copy of a Colorado marriage certificate, contact the county clerk and recorder’s office where the marriage license was issued. Requests can typically be made in person, by mail, or online.
Colorado is a closed record state, meaning marriage certificates are not public records and access is limited to authorized individuals.
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a Colorado apostille
If your document is eligible, send the original document to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a Colorado apostille.
In the State of Colorado, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document by staples. It is signed by the Secretary of the State (facsimile signature) and has the Seal of the State of Colorado. Colorado apostilles are issued in English/Spanish/French.
As of April 2, 2018, the Secretary of State issues a combined single certificate of authentication. In countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention, the certificate serves as an apostille.
Colorado apostille: $175
Processing time: app. 10 bus. days + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
Connecticut
Connecticut apostille requirements for marriage certificates
The following marriage certificates are eligible for Connecticut apostilles: certified copies issued by
Notarized copies are not eligible for apostilles.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, you must submit your request to the vital records office of the town where the marriage occurred, or the town(s) where the parties to the marriage resided at the time of the marriage, or the State Vital Records Office: Department of Public Heath, Vital Records Unit.Department of Public Heath, Vital Records Unit.
Connecticut marriage certificates are public records. A certified copy of a Connecticut marriage certificate may be purchased for a fee by anyone at least 18 years old. All information on the marriage certificate is available to the requester, except the social security numbers of the spouses. Copies of marriage certificates that include the spouse’s social security numbers will only be issued to the parties to the marriage. If you want us to assist you with obtaining a CT marriage certificate, please contact us.
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a Connecticut apostille
If your document is eligible, send the original document to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a Connecticut apostille.
Starting in 2025, Connecticut apostilles feature a new design: a blue border composed of small Connecticut seals.
In the State of Connecticut, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document by an eyelet in the upper left corner. It is signed by the Secretary of State (facsimile signature) and has the Seal of the State of Connecticut.
Connecticut apostille: $175
Processing time: app. 2 weeks + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
Delaware
DC
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
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Nevada
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New Hampshire
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New Jersey
New Jersey apostille requirements for marriage certificates
To be eligible for apostilles / legalization, certified copies of New Jersey marriage certificates must be issued by the Office of Vital Statistics of the NJ Department of Health in Trenton NJ, and certified by the State Registrar or Assistant State Registrar. These certificates are usually blue, green or burgundy in color.
Marriage certificates that have the following signatures are acceptable for NJ apostilles / legalization:
- Charles A. Karkut, New Jersey State Registrar
- Donald L. Lipira, New Jersey State Registrar
- Joseph A. Komosinski, State Registrar
- Yamileth Contreras, Acting State Registrar
- Philip Thigpen, Acting State Registrar
- Genevieve Raganelli, Acting State Registrar
- Joseph R.Klett, Director, Division of Archives
- F. Merton Saybolt, State Registrar
- Vincent T. Arrisi, State Registrar
- Juan M. Jr Rivera, Acting State Registrar
- Barbara Nasuto, New Jersey State Registrar
- Teresa C. Quintana, State Registrar
- Tiffany Drennon, Acting State Registrar
- Jeffrey Dublin, Acting State Registrar
- Tiffany Drennon, State Registrar
Locally issued marriage certificates (marriage certificates issued by municipal, town, county registrars) are not eligible for apostilles.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
We can assist you in obtaining a certified copy of a New Jersey marriage certificate and have it apostilled. ORDER ONLINE. Certified copies are available for events occuring within the last 50 years. The price for a certified copy with an apostille is $325. Processing time: app. 1 week + mail.
If you have an original marriage certificate, you can email a copy for a free document evaluation.
Get a New Jersey apostille
Send the original marriage certificate by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a New Jersey apostille.
In the State of New Jersey, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document by two staples. It is signed by the New Jersey State Treasurer (facsimile signature) and has the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey.
New Jersey apostille: $175
Processing time: app. 6-7 bus. days + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
New Mexico
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New York
New York apostille requirements for marriage certificates
Obtaining an apostille or embassy legalization for a New York marriage certificate can feel confusing. New York issues different versions of marriage certificates depending on where they were filed and the year of issuance, and not all qualify for an apostille. Some require additional steps, such as county clerk authentication, before they can be legalized for international use.
Here’s what you need to know:
NYC marriage certificates (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island): All marriage records from 1950 to the present, originating from the five boroughs of New York City are kept in the New York City Marriage Bureau. We can order an extended certified copy of the marriage certificate and have it apostilled or legalized by a foreign embassy. Marriage records from 1866 to 1949 are kept in the New York City Minucupal Archives. We can order an exemplified copy of the marriage certificate, and have it apostilled or legalized by a foreign embassy.
It does not matter whether you have a short form or a long form (extended) marriage certificate, the eligibility for an apostille will depend on the name of the City Clerk of the City of New York who signed the marriage certificate.
Important! Some foreign countries specifically require apostilled extended marriage certificate. If you have a short form marriage certificate, make sure it will be acceptable to the receiving foreign agency.
If your marriage certificate has the signature of Hector Diaz (City Clerk), it cannot be apostilled as is. You will need to order a new certified copy.
An extended copy of the New York marriage certificate, as compared to a short form marriage certificate, will have the following:
- information about the spouses' parents: names and places of birth
- number of times the spouses were married before
- witnesses' names
- a color stamp and an original signature of the Deputy City Clerk on the back
An extended marriage certificate issued before 1996 is a full page document. Sometimes the certificate consists of two pages. An extended marriage certificates issued after 1996 are about half a letter size page.******
Marriage certificates from outside NYC (issued by local town or city registrars) generally qualify for an apostille if they are original, certified copies. However, they must often be authenticated by the county clerk before being sent to the New York Department of State.
Some counties require newly issued certificates, while others may accept older ones. We handle the county authentication on your behalf. To avoid delays, email us a copy of the certificate for a free document evaluation. We’ll confirm if it’s eligible and advise on the next steps.
Letters of Exemplification are not issued for marriage certificates except for certified copies kept in the NYC Municipal Archives.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
NYC marriage certificates: We can assist you in obtaining a certified copy of a Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island marriage certificate and have it apostilled. ORDER ONLINE.
Other counties: You need to contact the City/Town Clerk where the marriage license was issued or the NYS Department of Health.
If you have an original marriage certificate, you can email a copy for a free document evaluation.
Get a New York apostille
Send the original marriage certificate by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a New York apostille. The authentication by the county clerk (if required) is included in the price. Please note that county clerk authentication might require additional processing time.
In the State of New York, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document by an eyelet. It is signed by a Deputy Secretary of State (facsimile signature) and has a blue Seal of the Department of State of the State of New York.
New York apostille: $175
Processing time: app. 5 bus. days + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
North Carolina
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North Dakota
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