Washington, D.C.
Federal Marriage Record Apostille in Washington, D.C.
How Washington, D.C. residents get their Federal Marriage Record authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
Most federal marriage record holders in Washington, D.C. actually have a state-issued record, which goes to the Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia. Only genuinely federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Authenticated by
- Depends on the issuer
- Washington, D.C. apostille office
- Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Washington
- Our nearest office
- Washington, D.C. (headquarters)
- Price
- $299 per document, government fees included
Married in Washington, D.C.? It’s probably a state record
Marriage certificates issued by a Washington, D.C. county clerk or the state vital records office are state documents, apostilled by the Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia in Washington — 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.
About the Federal Marriage Record
How to apostille a federally issued or consular marriage record for spousal visas and foreign registration.
What the Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia can do
The Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia in Washington issues apostilles for documents signed by Washington, D.C. officials — birth, death and marriage certificates from Washington, D.C. registrars, Washington, D.C. state-court records, and documents notarized by Washington, D.C. notaries. It has no authority over federal documents such as FBI reports, USCIS certificates or IRS letters.
State offices set their own procedures and fees, so confirm current requirements with the office before submitting a state document.
Getting it done from Washington, D.C.
We have an office in Washington, D.C.: Washington, D.C. (headquarters). Most clients still send documents by mail — it’s the fastest route to Washington.
| 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 |
Serving Washington and everywhere else in Washington, D.C..
Federal Marriage Record in Washington, D.C. — FAQ
Can the Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia apostille my Federal Marriage Record?
Only if it's a Washington, D.C.-issued record. County and state-issued versions go to the Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia; genuinely federal ones go to the U.S. Department of State.
Do I have to travel to Washington, D.C. from Washington, D.C.?
No. We handle the Washington submission for you. Most Washington, D.C. clients send their documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from Washington, D.C.?
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.
Related: Federal Marriage Record — full guide · All documents in Washington, D.C. · Federal vs. state apostille
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.