North Carolina
Federal Marriage Record Apostille in North Carolina
How North Carolina residents get their Federal Marriage Record authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the North Carolina Secretary of State can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
Most federal marriage record holders in North Carolina actually have a state-issued record, which goes to the North Carolina Secretary of State. Only genuinely federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Authenticated by
- Depends on the issuer
- North Carolina apostille office
- North Carolina Secretary of State, Raleigh
- Our nearest office
- Washington, D.C. (by mail)
- Price
- $299 per document, government fees included
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.
About the Federal Marriage Record
How to apostille a federally issued or consular marriage record for spousal visas and foreign registration.
What the North Carolina Secretary of State can do
The North Carolina Secretary of State in Raleigh issues apostilles for documents signed by North Carolina officials — birth, death and marriage certificates from North Carolina registrars, North Carolina state-court records, and documents notarized by North Carolina 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 North Carolina
We serve North Carolina by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications. There’s no need to visit an office in person.
| 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 Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham and everywhere else in North Carolina.
Federal Marriage Record in North Carolina — FAQ
Can the North Carolina Secretary of State apostille my Federal Marriage Record?
Only if it's a North Carolina-issued record. County and state-issued versions go to the North Carolina Secretary of State; genuinely federal ones go to the U.S. Department of State.
Do I have to travel to Washington, D.C. from North Carolina?
No. We handle the Washington submission for you. Most North Carolina clients send their documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from North Carolina?
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 North Carolina · 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.