Your marriage certificate is more than a symbolic document — it’s a legal record used to prove your marital status in situations such as immigration, property ownership, inheritance, and more. When you need to use your marriage certificate outside the United States, you’ll need an apostille to make it valid abroad.
Why You May Need a Marriage Certificate Apostille
If you are planning to use your marriage certificate in a foreign country, it must be authenticated. Common situations include:
- Applying for residency or citizenship abroad
- Traveling with a spouse and children
- Transferring inheritance or estate ownership
- Purchasing property as a married couple
- Filing taxes or financial claims jointly in another country
- Adopting a child internationally
Authorities abroad will not accept a U.S. marriage certificate unless it has been properly apostilled.
Apostille vs. Legalization
Whether you need an apostille or embassy legalization depends on the country where the document will be used.
- Hague Convention member country: Your certificate will receive an apostille.
- Non-Hague country: Your certificate must go through U.S. Department of State + Embassy legalization.
We handle both — and determine the correct method for you automatically.
Who Issues the Apostille?
A marriage certificate can only be apostilled by the Secretary of State in the state where the certificate was issued.
Important notes:
- You will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
- The U.S. Department of State does not apostille state-issued marriage certificates (they only handle federal legalization for non-Hague destinations).
- If your marriage certificate was issued outside the U.S., we can guide you through obtaining the proper documentation from the relevant authority.
How Our Marriage Certificate Apostille Service Works
Step 1 — Place Your Order Online
Tell us where your certificate was issued, where it will be used, and how fast you need it.
Standard processing: ~6 business days
Rush processing: ~3–4 business days
Step 2 — Receive Your Instructions
We confirm:
- Whether your certificate qualifies as a certified copy
- Any additional state requirements
- Exact cost and estimated completion date
If a new certified copy is needed — we tell you how to get one quickly.
Step 3 — Submit Your Certificate
Send your certified marriage certificate to the designated Travel Visa Pro office (address will be provided).
We handle:
- Delivery to the correct state authority
- Tracking and follow-up
- Final delivery straight to your door
Locations We Serve
We process marriage certificate apostilles nationwide, including but not limited to:
Austin • Dallas • Denver • Long Beach • Los Angeles • Miami • Sacramento • San Francisco • Seattle • Washington DC
Don’t see your city? No problem — we match your order to the correct state office. There is no need to travel.
Why Choose Travel Visa Pro?
- We handle all 50 states
- No government office visits required
- Clear instructions — no guesswork
- Rush services available
- Secure, trackable document handling
- Optional certified translations for non-English countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a certified copy of my marriage certificate to get an apostille?
Yes. The Secretary of State will only apostille certified copies issued by the appropriate state office.
Can I get an apostille if I was married outside the United States?
Yes — but first, you must obtain an official copy from the embassy or issuing authority. We can assist with the apostille/legalization once you have that copy.
How long does the apostille process take?
Standard orders take about 6 business days. Rush services take approximately 3–4 business days depending on state processing timelines.
What if the country I’m traveling to is not part of the Hague Convention?
We will legalize your marriage certificate instead, including U.S. Department of State and Embassy processing.