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Raleigh, NC

Federal Marriage Record Apostille in Raleigh, NC

How Raleigh 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 Raleigh actually have a North Carolina state record, which goes to the North Carolina Secretary of State. Only genuinely federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.

County
Wake County
Federal court
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
State apostille office
North Carolina Secretary of State, Raleigh
Our nearest office
Washington, D.C. (headquarters)

Married in North Carolina? It’s probably a state record

Marriage certificates issued by a North Carolina county clerk or the state vital records office are state documents, apostilled by the North Carolina Secretary of State in Raleigh — 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.

Raleigh: the local details

Raleigh is in Wake County, within the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. North Carolina state documents are apostilled by the North Carolina Secretary of State in Raleigh.

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 Raleigh

We don’t have an office in Raleigh — and you don’t need one. Raleigh 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 Raleigh — FAQ

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

State-issued versions go to the North Carolina Secretary of State in Raleigh; federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.

Do I need to visit an office in Raleigh?

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

How long does it take from Raleigh?

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 Raleigh?

Raleigh is in Wake County, within the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Related: All documents in Raleigh · Federal Marriage Record in North Carolina · Federal Marriage Record — full guide

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