A marriage certificate is a government-issued vital record, so it does not need notarizing. It goes straight to the Secretary of State in the state where the marriage was recorded, and that state alone can issue the apostille.
The complication is that marriage records are held at different levels in different states. Some states hold them centrally at the Department of Health. Others hold them at the county clerk, the clerk of court, or the city clerk. Florida, New York, and Texas all do it differently, and the copy you need is not always the one you were handed at the wedding.
The decorative certificate signed by your officiant and witnesses is almost never the one to send. What states apostille is the certified copy issued by the government office that recorded the marriage, carrying its official seal.
Many destinations also want the long-form certificate rather than a short abstract, particularly for spousal visas and citizenship applications where parents’ details matter. If you are unsure which version you have, send a photo through the free review before ordering.
At a glance
Where marriage records are held
| State | Issuing office | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | County recorder | Certified copy with seal, informational copies not accepted |
| New York (NYC) | NYC City Clerk | Long-form usually needed abroad |
| New York (rest of state) | Town or city clerk | Where the licence was issued |
| Texas | County clerk | Where the licence was issued |
| Florida | Clerk of the circuit court | Not the Department of Health |
| Illinois | County clerk | Cook County for Chicago marriages |
| Most other states | County clerk or state vital records | Varies, we confirm before submitting |
If you are not sure which office issued yours, we can identify it and retrieve a fresh certified copy as part of the order.
Common reasons marriage certificates get rejected
- The keepsake certificate. The decorative one signed at the ceremony is not a government record.
- A photocopy. Even of a certified copy, a photocopy will not be apostilled.
- An informational copy. Some states issue versions marked as not valid for legal purposes.
- Short-form when long-form was required, common for citizenship and spousal visa applications.
- Sending it to the wrong state. It goes to the state of marriage, not where you live or where you were born.
- Name mismatches between the marriage certificate and passports or birth records.
How it works
Step 1
Get the right certified copy
From the county or state office that recorded the marriage, or have us retrieve one for you.
Step 2
We verify it will be accepted
We check the seal, the certification, and whether the version matches what your destination requires.
Step 3
Apostille from the issuing state
We submit to the correct Secretary of State and pay the state fee, included in your price.
Step 4
Translation if needed, then back to you
Certified translation where the destination requires it, then shipped, collected, or scanned and emailed.
Marriage Certificate Apostille: common questions
Can I use the certificate from the ceremony?
Almost never. That is usually a keepsake rather than a government record. You need the certified copy issued by the county or state office that recorded the marriage.
We married in one state but live in another. Where does it go?
To the state where the marriage was recorded. Where you live now has no bearing on it, and you do not need to travel there.
Do I need long-form or short-form?
It depends on the destination. Spousal visas and citizenship applications usually want the long-form showing full details. Ask the receiving authority, and if they are vague, get the long-form.
We married abroad. Can you apostille that certificate?
No. A U.S. apostille can only certify a U.S. document. A certificate issued by another country has to be certified by that country’s authorities.
Do I need a translation as well?
Frequently. Most non-English-speaking destinations require a certified translation, and some require a sworn translator. We offer certified and sworn translation with the apostille.
Ready to get started?
Not sure you have the right copy? Send a photo through the free review before you order.
Related: Birth certificate · Single status affidavit · Apostille for Italy · Certified translation