Charleston, SC
Federal Marriage Record Apostille in Charleston, SC
How Charleston 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 Charleston actually have a South Carolina state record, which goes to the South Carolina Secretary of State. Only genuinely federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.
- County
- Charleston County
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
- State apostille office
- South Carolina Secretary of State, Columbia
- Our nearest office
- Washington, D.C. (headquarters)
Married in South Carolina? It’s probably a state record
Marriage certificates issued by a South Carolina county clerk or the state vital records office are state documents, apostilled by the South Carolina Secretary of State in Columbia — 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.
Charleston: the local details
Charleston is in Charleston County, within the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. South Carolina state documents are apostilled by the South Carolina Secretary of State in Columbia.
About the Federal Marriage Record
How to apostille a federally issued or consular marriage record for spousal visas and foreign registration.
Getting it done from Charleston
We don’t have an office in Charleston — and you don’t need one. Charleston clients send documents by mail, and our nearest office is Washington, D.C. (headquarters).
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | U.S. Department of State apostille | 10–12 business days |
| Non-Hague country | Authentication + embassy legalization | 15–17 business days |
Federal Marriage Record in Charleston — FAQ
Is there an apostille office in Charleston for a Federal Marriage Record?
State-issued versions go to the South Carolina Secretary of State in Columbia; federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.
Do I need to visit an office in Charleston?
No. Charleston clients send documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from Charleston?
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 Charleston?
Charleston is in Charleston County, within the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.
Related: All documents in Charleston · Federal Marriage Record in South Carolina · Federal Marriage Record — full guide
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.