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Arlington, VA

Federal Marriage Record Apostille in Arlington, VA

How Arlington residents get their Federal Marriage Record authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, the local details, timing and price.

Quick answer

Most federal marriage record holders in Arlington actually have a Virginia state record, which goes to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Only genuinely federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.

County
Arlington County
Federal court
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
State apostille office
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Richmond
Our nearest office
Washington, D.C. (headquarters), Richmond

Married in Virginia? It’s probably a state record

Marriage certificates issued by a Virginia county clerk or the state vital records office are state documents, apostilled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia in Richmond — not by the U.S. Department of State. Only consular or federally issued marriage records take the federal route.

Send us a photo before ordering and we’ll tell you which route yours takes.

Arlington: the local details

Arlington is in Arlington County, within the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Virginia state documents are apostilled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia in Richmond.

About the Federal Marriage Record

How to apostille a federally issued or consular marriage record for spousal visas and foreign registration.

Check who issued it first. Most U.S. marriage certificates are state documents from a county clerk, which authenticate through that state — not federally. Sending one to the Department of State gets it returned.

Getting it done from Arlington

We don’t have an office in Arlington — and you don’t need one. Arlington clients send documents by mail, and our nearest office is Washington, D.C. (headquarters) and Richmond.

DestinationRouteOur turnaround
Hague Convention countryU.S. Department of State apostille10–12 business days
Non-Hague countryAuthentication + embassy legalization15–17 business days

Federal Marriage Record in Arlington — FAQ

Is there an apostille office in Arlington for a Federal Marriage Record?

State-issued versions go to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia in Richmond; federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.

Do I need to visit an office in Arlington?

No. Arlington clients send documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.

How long does it take from Arlington?

About 10–12 business days for Hague Convention countries and 15–17 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, plus shipping.

How much does it cost?

$299 per document for Hague countries, with government fees and U.S. shipping included; non-Hague destinations are $399 including embassy legalization.

Which federal court covers Arlington?

Arlington is in Arlington County, within the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Related: All documents in Arlington · Federal Marriage Record in Virginia · Federal Marriage Record — full guide

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