Introduction
Hey there — welcome! If you’re here, you’re probably wondering: How long does it take to get an apostille? You’re not alone.
As the owner of Virtual Same Day Marriage, I get this question from clients all the time — especially those who need an apostille birth certificate, apostille for death certificate, or apostille notarized document fast.
Maybe you’re preparing for an international move. Maybe you’re handling important legal matters overseas. Either way — you want to know how long this process is going to take, and how to avoid delays.
I’m here to walk you through it step by step — no stuffy language, just real talk from someone who helps couples and families with apostille services every week.
What Is an Apostille? (Quick Refresher)
An apostille is an official certification that makes U.S. documents — like a birth certificate, death certificate, or notarized document — legally valid in another country.
If you’re sending any of these documents to a country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, you’ll need an apostille first.
If the country is not part of the convention, you’ll need full legalization — but that’s a topic for another post.
For now, let’s focus on apostilles and how long they take.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Apostille?
Here’s the short answer: It depends — but typically 1 to 3 weeks.
Now, let’s break it down by document type and situation:
Apostille Birth Certificate
If you’re applying for dual citizenship, moving abroad with your family, or registering a child’s birth overseas, you’ll likely need an apostille birth certificate.
✅ Standard timeline: 1–3 weeks
✅ Expedited service: as fast as 3–5 business days (depends on the state and volume of requests)
Pro tip: Always use a certified copy of the birth certificate — not a photocopy or hospital-issued document.
Apostille for Death Certificate
When dealing with inheritance, closing bank accounts, or handling estate matters internationally, an apostille for death certificate is often required.
✅ Standard timeline: 2–4 weeks (death certificates often take a bit longer to process)
✅ Expedited service: 5–7 business days in many cases
Personal note: I’ve worked with many families during difficult times. We always handle apostille for death certificate requests with extra care and urgency — just ask.
Apostille Notarized Document
Apostille notarized document requests are some of the most common we see at Virtual Same Day Marriage. These include:
✅ Power of attorney documents
✅ Affidavits
✅ Contracts
✅ Translations
✅ Adoption paperwork
✅ Standard timeline: 1–2 weeks
✅ Expedited service: often 2–5 business days
Important: The document must be properly notarized first — an incomplete notarization will delay your apostille notarized document request.
What Factors Affect Apostille Timelines?
Several things can impact how long it takes to get your apostille birth certificate, apostille for death certificate, or apostille notarized document:
✅ Which state issued the document — some states process faster than others
✅ Current backlog or volume of requests
✅ Accuracy of your document — missing seals or errors will delay processing
✅ Time of year — holidays and summer months tend to cause longer wait times
Pro tip: Plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute to request your apostille — especially if you need it for an international move or legal deadline.
How We Help with Apostille Services at Virtual Same Day Marriage
Here’s why couples and families trust us to handle their apostille birth certificates, apostille for death certificates, and apostille notarized documents:
✅ We know each state’s exact process
✅ We offer fast, reliable apostille service USA
✅ We check your documents first — no surprises
✅ We handle everything start to finish — no need to deal with state agencies yourself
And yes — we work with documents beyond marriage certificates! Many of our clients come to us after we’ve helped them with a Zoom marriage ceremony or U.S. marriage certificate for immigration, and then ask us to handle other apostille needs too.
