Wisconsin
Federal Marriage Record Apostille in Wisconsin
How Wisconsin residents get their Federal Marriage Record authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the Wisconsin Secretary of State can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
Most federal marriage record holders in Wisconsin actually have a state-issued record, which goes to the Wisconsin Secretary of State. Only genuinely federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Authenticated by
- Depends on the issuer
- Wisconsin apostille office
- Wisconsin Secretary of State, Madison
- Our nearest office
- Washington, D.C. (by mail)
- Price
- $299 per document, government fees included
Married in Wisconsin? It’s probably a state record
Marriage certificates issued by a Wisconsin county clerk or the state vital records office are state documents, apostilled by the Wisconsin Secretary of State in Madison — 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 Wisconsin Secretary of State can do
The Wisconsin Secretary of State in Madison issues apostilles for documents signed by Wisconsin officials — birth, death and marriage certificates from Wisconsin registrars, Wisconsin state-court records, and documents notarized by Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
We serve Wisconsin 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 Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and everywhere else in Wisconsin.
Federal Marriage Record in Wisconsin — FAQ
Can the Wisconsin Secretary of State apostille my Federal Marriage Record?
Only if it's a Wisconsin-issued record. County and state-issued versions go to the Wisconsin Secretary of State; genuinely federal ones go to the U.S. Department of State.
Do I have to travel to Washington, D.C. from Wisconsin?
No. We handle the Washington submission for you. Most Wisconsin clients send their documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin · 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.