Getting Married Overseas? Your U.S. Documents May Need an Apostille
Foreign marriage registrars usually want proof of identity, age, and that you are legally free to marry — using U.S. records they can verify.
That verification normally comes from an apostille or consular authentication. We review your documents, confirm where each one has to go, and handle the submissions.
Why this comes up for people in your position
Wedding venues abroad rarely handle the legal side. The civil registrar, town hall, or church office in the destination country sets the document list, and it often differs for each partner depending on where their records were issued.
Timing matters more here than in most situations. Many registrars will only accept a vital record issued within a set number of months, so ordering a fresh certified copy is common even if you already have one at home.
Not every destination requires apostilles for a wedding. Confirm the list directly with the registrar or with your venue's local coordinator, in writing, before ordering anything.
Exact document requirements are determined by the foreign authority, consulate, or organization receiving your paperwork, and they vary by country, purpose, and document. Always confirm their written list before ordering or authenticating anything.
Documents that may be requested
This is not a required checklist — it is a list of items people in this situation are commonly asked for.
Certified copy proving identity and age.
Requested when either partner was previously married.
Used when a prior spouse is deceased.
A sworn statement we can notarize before apostille.
Bridges a name difference between records.
A notarized identity copy some registrars accept.
How the process works
- 1Tell us what you're trying to accomplish
Share the destination country, the purpose of the document, and your deadline. That context drives every other decision.
- 2We review your document situation
We look at what you have, who issued it, and whether a certified copy, notarization, or replacement is needed first.
- 3We determine the appropriate authentication route
State apostille, federal authentication, or embassy legalization — the route depends on the issuing office and the destination country.
- 4Your documents are submitted and returned
We prepare and submit the package, track it, and return your documents by mail, courier, or local hand delivery.
Mobile Notary Philadelphia assists with review, notarization, preparation, and submission. The apostille or authentication certificate itself is issued by the appropriate government authority, not by our office.
Where was your document issued?
The route depends on which office issued the document. State-issued records go to that state, and federally issued records are authenticated at the federal level. If your documents came from more than one place, they travel separate paths.
Records issued in Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia County vital records.
Records issued in New Jersey, including South Jersey counties.
Documents issued by U.S. federal agencies.
The FBI Identity History Summary route.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ordering vital records too early and missing the registrar's recency window
- Forgetting that both partners usually need their own document set
- Assuming a notary stamp alone satisfies a foreign registrar
- Overlooking a name mismatch between a birth certificate and a passport
- Leaving no time for a certified translation after the apostille is attached
Services that may help
Marriage Abroad — FAQ
Not Sure Where to Start?
Tell us what document you have, where it was issued, the destination country, what the document will be used for, and your deadline. We'll explain the next step.