Introduction
Hi there — and congrats if you’re newly married! 🎉
Whether you got married in person or had one of our popular Zoom marriage ceremonies or same day online weddings through Virtual Same Day Marriage, you might now be wondering:
How do I apostille a marriage certificate?
If you’re moving abroad, applying for a visa, or registering your marriage internationally, having your U.S. marriage certificate properly apostilled is often a required step.
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to get an apostille, where to get apostille, and how to find the fastest apostille service — based on what I tell clients every week here at Virtual Same Day Marriage.
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is an official government-issued certificate that makes your marriage certificate legally valid in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
👉 Without an apostille, foreign governments may not recognize your U.S. marriage certificate — even if it’s 100% legal here in the U.S.
👉 If your destination country isn’t part of the Hague Convention, you’ll need legalization instead — but that’s another topic.
Why You Might Need to Apostille a Marriage Certificate
Here are some common reasons our clients request apostille services:
✅ Moving abroad as a married couple
✅ Applying for a spousal or family visa
✅ Registering your marriage with a foreign government
✅ Changing your name internationally
✅ Applying for dual citizenship
If you’re in any of these situations, it’s time to learn how to get an apostille — and do it quickly to avoid delays.
Where to Get Apostille for a Marriage Certificate
Where to get apostille depends on which U.S. state issued your marriage certificate.
👉 The process is typically handled through your State Secretary of State’s office — they verify and issue the apostille.
👉 If your certificate is a federal document (rare, but possible), you would submit it to the U.S. Department of State for apostille.
Pro tip: Not every state processes apostilles at the same speed — some take weeks, while others can process much faster.
How to Get an Apostille for a Marriage Certificate
Here’s the step-by-step process:
1️⃣ Obtain a Certified Marriage Certificate
First, you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate — not a photocopy or a hospital-issued version.
👉 If you were married through us, we’ll ensure your marriage certificate is properly filed and ready for apostille.
2️⃣ Submit to the State Secretary of State
Next, you send your certified marriage certificate to your state’s Secretary of State office for apostille processing.
👉 Many states allow mail-in requests; a few allow in-person submissions.
👉 Make sure you include any required forms and fees.
3️⃣ Wait for Apostille Processing
👉 Standard processing: 1–3 weeks (but can vary by state)
👉 Fastest apostille service: as fast as 3–5 business days (through trusted service providers like us!)
If you’re working on a tight deadline — such as an immigration interview or international move — using the fastest apostille service is well worth it.
How Much Does It Cost to Apostille a Marriage Certificate?
👉 State fee: $5–$20 per document (varies by state)
👉 Service fee (for fastest apostille service): $75–$300 depending on speed and complexity
👉 See our guide: How Much Does an Apostille Cost?
Why Use a Professional Apostille Service?
Sure, you can try handling this yourself — but here’s what many clients experience when they go it alone:
❌ Long government processing times
❌ Confusing submission instructions
❌ Rejected requests due to simple errors
✅ When you use a trusted service — like ours at Virtual Same Day Marriage — we offer:
✅ Verified document checks
✅ Full handling of paperwork and submission
✅ Real-time tracking and updates
✅ The fastest apostille service options available
Internal Link Suggestions
👉 How to Get an Apostille for a Marriage Certificate
👉 Zoom Marriage Ceremony — How It Works
👉 U.S. Marriage Certificate for Immigration — What You Need to Know
👉 How Much Does an Apostille Cost?
External Link Suggestions
👉 U.S. Department of State — Apostille Requirements
👉 Hague Apostille Convention — Official Country List
FAQ Section
1. Where to get apostille for my marriage certificate?
You submit your certified marriage certificate to your state’s Secretary of State office — or we can handle it for you with the fastest apostille service.
2. How to get an apostille if I was married online?
You can apostille for online marriage certificates the same way as any other legal U.S. marriage certificate — as long as your marriage was legally recorded.
3. How long does it take to get an apostille?
Standard processing takes 1–3 weeks; with the fastest apostille service, it can take as little as 3–5 business days.
4. Do I need an apostille for immigration?
If you’re submitting your marriage certificate to a foreign immigration office, you will almost always need an apostille.
5. Can Virtual Same Day Marriage help with my apostille?
Absolutely! We provide complete apostille services — including the fastest apostille service available — and handle the entire process for you.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering how to get an apostille, where to get apostille, or how to find the fastest apostille service, you’re in the right place.
At Virtual Same Day Marriage, we handle all types of apostille requests — including those for online marriage certificates, immigration, name changes, and more.
👉 Ready to get started? Contact Virtual Same Day Marriage today. We’ll make sure your apostille is done right — and as fast as you need it.
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