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Apostille for Marriage Abroad

Getting married in another country is an exciting milestone, but most foreign civil registries require apostilled documents before they will issue a marriage license. Requirements vary significantly by country - some require only a birth certificate, while others require proof of single status, divorce decrees, or even medical certificates. We ensure your documents are properly prepared and apostilled so your wedding plans stay on schedule.

From $149 per document · No hidden fees · Tracked shipping included

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Official Apostille
Hague compliant
120+ Countries
Accepted worldwide

50+

States & Territories

120+

Countries Accepted

1-Day

Express Available

100%

Hague Compliant

Documents

Common Documents Needed

Birth Certificates
Divorce Decrees
Single Status Affidavits
Death Certificates (if widowed)
Court Orders
Name Change Documents
Process

Step-by-Step Process

1

Identify Required Documents

Contact the civil registry or consulate in the country where you plan to marry. They will provide a list of required documents, which typically includes birth certificates, proof of single status, and divorce decrees if previously married.

2

Determine State or Federal Routing

Birth certificates and divorce decrees are state-issued and processed through the respective Secretary of State. Notarized affidavits (such as single status declarations) are also processed at the state level where notarized.

3

Submit for Review

Upload your documents through our portal. We verify that each document meets the requirements for apostille processing, including proper notarization, correct formatting, and completeness.

4

Process Apostille

We route each document to the correct state or federal authority, handle all required forms and fees, and monitor processing through completion.

5

Ship to You

Apostilled documents are shipped directly to you with tracking. If you are already abroad, we offer international shipping to your destination country.

Destinations

Common Destination Countries

People commonly need apostilles for marriage abroad purposes in these countries:

Italy
Mexico
France
Germany
Dominican Republic
Spain
Helpful Tips

Tips

Start the apostille process at least 2-3 months before your planned wedding date - some countries require advance document filing with the civil registry.
Many European countries (especially Italy and France) require a Nulla Osta (no impediment certificate) or equivalent, which may need to be apostilled.
If you have been previously married, most countries require an apostilled divorce decree or death certificate in addition to your birth certificate.
Some countries require documents to be translated by a certified translator after apostille - check requirements before you travel.
Double-check the validity period: some civil registries only accept documents apostilled within the last 3-6 months.
Ready When You Are

Ready to Get Started?

Submit your documents online and we handle the entire apostille process - from document review to state or federal routing to shipping. We process marriage abroad documents from all 50 states.

Trusted Nationwide · All 50 States + DC

Never mail your original documents

We process apostilles from a notarized true copy of your uploaded scan. Your birth certificate, diploma, or FBI report never leaves your hands, so it can never be lost in the mail.

How true copy processing works
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about apostilling documents for marriage abroad.

An apostille is a certificate issued by a designated U.S. authority (a Secretary of State) that authenticates a U.S. document for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

In most cases, no. You upload clear color scans of your documents through our secure portal. Our licensed notary certifies that the printed copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original, and a U.S. Secretary of State issues the apostille on the notary-certified true copy.

Your originals never have to leave your possession. The resulting apostilled documents are recognized across Hague Convention countries for almost every common marriage abroad situation.

The only time you would need to mail the physical original is if the receiving authority specifically requires the original, or requires the apostille to come from the same state that issued the document. If that applies, we offer an Original Document Apostille service and will guide you through it.

Learn more about our digital process →

Our process uses a U.S.-licensed notary who certifies that a printed copy made from your scan is a true and accurate reproduction of the original document. A U.S. Secretary of State then issues the apostille on the notary-certified true copy. The apostille authenticates the notary's seal and signature, which is exactly what the Hague Convention recognizes.

Because we work from a scan, your original never has to leave your possession, processing is significantly faster than mailing physical documents back and forth, and there is no risk of your original being lost or damaged in transit.

Government-issued vital records (birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates) typically do not require additional notarization before apostille.

Private documents such as powers of attorney, school transcripts, and personal affidavits do need to be notarized first, because the apostille is issued on the notary's certification rather than on the document itself. If your documents need notarization, we can handle it as part of your order through our remote online notary add-on.

Our digital process completes Economy orders in 4-6 business days, Standard in 2-3 business days, and Express in 1 business day. Shipping time is separate from processing time.

See full processing time details →

Pricing depends on the processing tier you choose. Economy starts at $149 per document, Standard at $197, and Express (1 business day) at $249.

All tiers include document review, notarized true copy, state apostille, and tracked domestic shipping.

See full pricing details and add-ons →

Over 120 countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention accept apostilles. This includes most of Europe, South America, and many countries in Asia and Africa.

If your destination country is not a member of the Hague Convention, you may need embassy legalization instead of an apostille. Browse country-specific guidance →

Requirements vary by country, but most foreign civil registries require at minimum an apostilled birth certificate. Many also require proof of single status (an affidavit or certificate of no impediment), and if you were previously married, a divorce decree or death certificate of your former spouse. Contact the destination country's consulate for their specific requirements.
A single status affidavit (also called a certificate of no impediment or declaration of eligibility to marry) is a sworn statement that you are legally free to marry. It is typically signed before a notary public in your state of residence. The notarized affidavit then needs to be apostilled by the Secretary of State in the state where it was notarized.
We recommend starting at least 2-3 months before your wedding date. Some countries require advance filing with their civil registry (Italy, for example, requires documents to be submitted weeks before the ceremony). Factor in processing time, shipping, and any translation requirements.
Many countries require a certified translation of your apostilled documents into the local language. Some countries accept translations done locally, while others require the translation to be done by an approved translator. The apostille itself does not need to be translated, as it uses a standardized multilingual format.
Yes, but you will need to provide an apostilled divorce decree in addition to your other documents. Some countries have specific requirements about how the divorce decree must be formatted or certified. If your divorce was finalized in a different state from where you currently live, you will need to obtain the apostille from the state where the divorce was granted.
Related

Related Resources

Apostille for ImmigrationApostille for AdoptionApostille for EducationBirth Certificate ApostilleMarriage Certificate ApostilleDeath Certificate ApostilleDivorce Decree ApostilleApostille by CountryApostille by State

The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements may vary by destination country and are subject to change. For formal legal advice, consult a qualified professional.

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