If you’re applying for residency abroad with a spouse, or applying in a country that requires proof of marital status, your marriage certificate needs an apostille. The process is straightforward — but where the certificate was issued determines everything about who you need to contact.
| Issuing authority for apostille | Secretary of State in the state where the marriage was registered |
| Source document needed | Certified copy from the county clerk (or equivalent) where marriage was recorded |
| Timeline | 1–4 weeks for certified copy + 1–3 weeks for apostille |
| Cost | $10–$30 for certified copy + $5–$30 for apostille |
| Translation required | Yes — certified Spanish translation required for all LatAm countries |
How the Process Works
Marriage certificates in the US are registered at the county level (in most states), not the state level. This creates a two-step process similar to birth certificates:
- Get a certified copy from the county clerk where the marriage was recorded (the county where the ceremony took place and the license was filed)
- Submit to the state Secretary of State for the apostille
Exception: Some states (including California and Virginia) now allow you to request an apostille directly from the state vital records office, which handles both steps. Check your state’s SOS website before ordering.
Step 1: Get a Certified Copy from the County Clerk
Contact the county clerk’s office in the county where you were married. You’ll need:
- Applicant’s full name and spouse’s full name
- Date of marriage
- County and state where married
- A copy of your government-issued ID
- The fee (typically $10–$30)
Most county clerks accept mail requests. Some accept online orders. Processing takes 1–3 weeks by mail; some counties offer same-day or next-day in-person service.
Note: You need an official certified copy with the clerk’s seal — not a decorative marriage certificate from your ceremony, even if it has a signature on it.
Step 2: Apostille from the State Secretary of State
Once you have the certified copy, mail it to the Secretary of State in the state where the marriage was registered (same state as the county clerk). Include:
- The original certified copy (not a photocopy)
- A cover letter noting the destination country
- The apostille fee ($5–$30 by state)
- A return envelope with tracking
Common Situations
Married in a different state than you currently live: Go to the state where the marriage was recorded, not your current state. If you got married in Nevada but live in Colorado, you need Nevada’s county clerk and Nevada’s Secretary of State.
Older marriages (1980s or earlier): Records may be on microfilm or archived. Contact the county clerk directly — some older records require a longer processing time or a formal records request before a certified copy can be issued.
Marriage in a foreign country: Foreign marriage certificates don’t need a US apostille. They go through the apostille authority of the country where the marriage was registered. Depending on the country, this may be straightforward or complex — contact that country’s embassy or apostille authority.
Couples applying together for residency: You typically only need one apostilled marriage certificate per application. Get two certified copies, however — one to apostille and one as backup. Some countries keep the originals.
Translation Requirement
Once apostilled, the marriage certificate needs to be translated into Spanish by a certified translator before submission to immigration authorities in Latin America. Paraguay, Colombia, Panama, and Mexico all require certified translation. Budget $75–$150 for translation and 1–2 weeks for turnaround.
Need apostilles completed fast?
ApostilleUSA — Remote apostille service covering all 50 states. State documents in 1–3 weeks, FBI/federal 5–7 business days expedited. No in-person visits required.
Related: Birth Certificate · Divorce Certificate · Paraguay Requirements · Colombia Requirements · Apostille Explainer
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