Question 1

What is an apostille?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

Do I need to send my original documents?

Accepted Answer

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 only time you would need to mail the physical original is if the receiving authority in your destination country specifically requires the original document or specifically requires the apostille to come from the same state that issued the document.

Question 3

How can you process an apostille with just a digital scan?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

Do my documents need notarization before the apostille?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

How long does it take to get documents apostilled for marriage abroad?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

How much does an apostille cost?

Accepted Answer

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 our pricing page for full details and add-ons.

Question 7

Which countries accept apostilles?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

What documents do I need to get married abroad?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

What is a single status affidavit?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

How far in advance should I apostille my marriage documents?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Do I need a translation of my apostilled documents?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

Can I get married abroad if I was previously divorced in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

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.

Apostille for Marriage Abroad

Common Documents Needed

Step-by-Step Process

Identify Required Documents

Determine State or Federal Routing

Submit for Review

Process Apostille

Ship to You

Common Destination Countries

Tips

Ready to Get Started?

Never mail your original documents

Frequently Asked Questions

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