California Marriage Certificate Apostille

An apostilled marriage certificate is a certified California marriage record with a certificate from the California Secretary of State attached, proving it is genuine for use in another country.

You need one for a foreign spouse visa, residency, name change, citizenship by marriage or registering your marriage abroad.

Detailed Notary handles the review, submission and return shipping.

Standard service is $185.

Marriage Certificate Apostille Quote

Call or text (650) 675-7760 · WhatsApp for international clients

Marriage Certificate Apostille Pricing and Turnaround

Standard: $185 for the first certificate, $75 each additional, 5-7 business days

Expedited: $245 for the first certificate, $75 each additional, 1-2 business days

California Secretary of State fee: $20 per apostille, plus $6 per signature verified

Return shipping: quoted at checkout, U.S. and international shipping

What Qualifies for an Apostille

A certified copy of the marriage certificate from a California county recorder or the California Department of Public Health.

Your original souvenir license, a photocopy or an "informational" copy cannot be apostilled.

A notary cannot certify a copy of a marriage certificate in California; you need a certified copy from the issuing office.

Sample California certified marriage certificate. Look for the county recorder's or state registrar's signature and raised or multicolored seal. Copies marked "Informational, not a valid document to establish identity" cannot be apostilled. Formats vary by issuing office and year.

Sample California certified marriage certificate showing the registrar signature and seal required for an apostille

How It Works

1. Send a photo of the certificate and the destination country.

2. I confirm it qualifies, or order a certified copy through certified record retrieval.

3. You mail or drop off the original and pay the invoice.

4. I submit it to the California Secretary of State.

5. Your apostilled certificate is returned by tracked shipping.

Apostille or Legalization?

Hague Convention countries accept the apostille alone. Countries outside the Convention require authentication and embassy legalization. I confirm the right process for your destination before you pay.

Marriage Certificate Apostille FAQs

What is an apostille on a marriage certificate?

It is a certificate issued by the California Secretary of State that verifies the signature on your certified marriage record so a foreign government will accept it.

How do I get my California marriage certificate apostilled?

Order a certified copy from the county or state, then submit it to the Secretary of State with the $20 fee. I can handle every step, including ordering the copy.

How much does it cost?

$185 standard or $245 expedited for the first certificate, $75 for each additional one, plus the $20 state fee, $6 signature verification, and shipping.