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Philadelphia, PA

Federal Marriage Record Apostille in Philadelphia, PA

How Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia actually have a Pennsylvania state record, which goes to the Pennsylvania Department of State. Only genuinely federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.

County
Philadelphia County
Federal court
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
State apostille office
Pennsylvania Department of State, Harrisburg
Our nearest office
Washington, D.C. (headquarters)

Married in Pennsylvania? It’s probably a state record

Marriage certificates issued by a Pennsylvania county clerk or the state vital records office are state documents, apostilled by the Pennsylvania Department of State in Harrisburg — 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.

Philadelphia: the local details

Philadelphia is in Philadelphia County, within the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania state documents are apostilled by the Pennsylvania Department of State in Harrisburg.

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 Philadelphia

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

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 Philadelphia — FAQ

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

State-issued versions go to the Pennsylvania Department of State in Harrisburg; federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.

Do I need to visit an office in Philadelphia?

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

How long does it take from Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia?

Philadelphia is in Philadelphia County, within the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Related: All documents in Philadelphia · Federal Marriage Record in Pennsylvania · Federal Marriage Record — full guide

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