Getting Married Abroad? Apostille Your Documents

Getting legally married in another country requires proving to the local civil registry that you are who you say you are and that you are legally free to marry. This means apostilling several personal documents.

Birth certificates: Required by virtually every country. The civil registry uses your birth certificate to verify your identity, age, and nationality. Most countries require a recent certified copy (issued within the past 6-12 months) rather than the original document you received at birth.

Proof of single status: Many countries require an affidavit of single status (also called a certificate of no impediment, declaration of eligibility to marry, or "nulla osta" in Italy). This is a sworn statement that you are not currently married and are legally free to marry. It must be notarized, then apostilled.

Divorce decrees: If you were previously married, most countries require an apostilled copy of your final divorce decree. Some countries are very specific about what they need - the actual decree from the court, not just a certificate of dissolution. The apostille must come from the state where the court is located.

Death certificates: If you are widowed, you will typically need an apostilled death certificate of your former spouse to prove that the previous marriage ended.

Other documents: Depending on the country, you may also need apostilled court orders (for name changes), medical certificates, or parental consent (if either party is under a certain age).

Marriage requirements vary dramatically by country. Here are the specific requirements for some of the most popular destination wedding locations.

Italy: Italy is one of the most popular destinations for Americans getting married abroad, and it has a detailed process. You need an apostilled birth certificate, an apostilled "Dichiarazione Giurata" (sworn declaration of intent to marry), and if applicable, an apostilled divorce decree or death certificate. All documents must be translated into Italian by a certified translator. Italy also requires you to publish marriage banns at least two Sundays before the wedding. The Nulla Osta (no impediment certificate) must be obtained from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Italy.

Mexico: Mexico requires apostilled birth certificates, valid passports, and blood test results from a Mexican lab. If previously married, an apostilled divorce decree is required. Four witnesses (two for each party) must be present at the civil ceremony. All documents must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator.

France: France has one of the most documentation-heavy processes. You need apostilled birth certificates (issued within the past 3 months), proof of residency, a "certificat de coutume" (certificate of custom) from the U.S. Embassy confirming there is no legal impediment to marriage under U.S. law, and all documents translated by a certified French translator. Marriage banns must be published at least 10 days before the ceremony.

Dominican Republic: The Dominican Republic is relatively straightforward. You need apostilled birth certificates, a notarized single status affidavit (apostilled), valid passports, and if applicable, an apostilled divorce decree. All documents must be translated into Spanish and certified by the Dominican Consulate.

Wedding timelines are stressful enough without documentation delays. Here is how to plan your apostille timeline for a stress-free process.

6-8 months before the wedding: Research the specific requirements of your destination country. Contact the local civil registry or a wedding planner who specializes in that country to get the definitive list of required documents. Order new certified copies of birth certificates from the relevant vital records offices.

4-6 months before: Have all documents notarized as required. Prepare single status affidavits, gather divorce decrees or death certificates, and ensure all documents are complete and in the correct format. Submit documents for apostille processing.

2-3 months before: All apostilled documents should be in hand at this point. Submit documents to the destination country's civil registry or consulate as required. Arrange for certified translations. Some countries (like Italy and France) require advance filing or publication of marriage banns.

1 month before: Confirm with the civil registry that all documents have been received and accepted. Have backup copies of all apostilled documents in case of loss during travel. Arrange any final requirements (medical certificates, witness identification, etc.).

We recommend starting the apostille process at least 4-6 months before your wedding date. This provides ample buffer for any issues that arise, such as document rejections, missing information, or unexpected processing delays.

Beyond the apostille itself, most countries have additional requirements that you need to plan for.

Translations: Nearly all non-English-speaking countries require certified translations of your apostilled documents. The translation must be done by a translator who is certified or recognized by the destination country. Some countries accept translations done in the United States, while others require translations to be done in-country by an officially registered translator. Plan for 3-7 business days per document for translation.

Embassy or consulate involvement: Some countries require you to obtain certain documents from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the destination country. For example, Italy requires a Nulla Osta from the U.S. Embassy in Rome or a consulate. France may require a "certificat de coutume" from the Embassy. These are separate from the apostille process and have their own timelines.

Residency requirements: Some countries require you to be physically present in the country for a certain period before the marriage ceremony. France, for example, requires at least one party to have lived in the commune for at least 40 days before the wedding. This affects your travel planning and the timing of when you need your documents ready.

Validity periods: Many countries impose validity windows on apostilled documents. Birth certificates may need to be issued within the past 3-6 months. Affidavits and declarations may need to be dated within 30-90 days of the ceremony. If your documents expire before the wedding, you will need new copies and new apostilles. Plan your timing carefully to avoid this costly situation.