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