California Marriage Certificate Apostille

Direct Answer

A California marriage certificate apostille is issued by the California Secretary of State on a certified copy from either the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) or the County Recorder where the marriage was filed. Informational copies are rejected. Fee: $20 per apostille. Common foreign uses: dual citizenship, foreign residency, name changes abroad.

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Marriage Certificate Readiness Gate

Three checks before you file

  • ✓ Certificate is a certified copy, not an informational copy. Certified copies carry a raised seal or color watermark and the Registrar’s signature.
  • ✓ Marriage was recorded in California. Out-of-state marriages must be apostilled by the state where the marriage was recorded.
  • ✓ Destination is a Hague Convention party. If not, the document needs embassy or consulate legalization.
Pre-Check the Certificate

Where to Get a California Certified Marriage Certificate

Two issuing authorities, either apostille-eligible:

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — Office of Vital Records

Issues certified copies of California marriages on record. Apply via VS 113A (public marriage) or VS 113B (confidential marriage). Mail or in-person request.

County Recorder / County Clerk (county where the marriage was filed)

The county where the marriage license was issued and returned for recording can issue a certified copy directly. Usually faster than CDPH — same-day in-person request is common.

Public vs Confidential Marriage Certificates

California issues two types of marriage records: public marriages (the certificate is part of the public record; anyone of legal age can request a copy) and confidential marriages (the certificate is sealed; only the spouses or by court order). Both are apostille-eligible, but the request process differs — confidential marriage certified copies must be requested by one of the spouses, not by a third party.

Common Destinations for California Marriage Apostilles

  1. Italy — spousal jure matrimonii citizenship pathway, requires apostille on long-form certified copy plus certified Italian translation.
  2. Mexico — residency, name changes, and dual citizenship for spouses.
  3. Philippines — common for U.S. citizens who married Filipino nationals; the apostille certified copy is recorded with the Philippine Statistics Authority.
  4. Spain — spousal residency.
  5. United Kingdom — settlement and spouse visas.
  6. China — Hague member since November 2023.
  7. UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Vietnam, Egypt — non-Hague; require embassy or consulate legalization.

Most Common Rejection Causes

  1. Informational copy submitted instead of certified copy.
  2. Out-of-state marriage certificate sent to California.
  3. Damaged or laminated certified copy.
  4. Confidential marriage certificate requested by a third party rather than a spouse.
  5. Translation submitted instead of the certified copy itself (the apostille attaches to the original certified copy; translation is separate).

How Apostille San Francisco Handles Marriage Certificate Apostilles

  1. $35 Document Check verifies certified-copy status and destination-country fit. Credited 100% to apostille service when you proceed; non-refundable if declined.
  2. Counter or mail filing at the California Secretary of State — see Sacramento Secretary of State office or mail filing route.
  3. Tracked return delivery; international forwarding to the destination authority when required.
  4. Translation coordination — apostille attaches to certified copy first, then certified translation is completed separately.

California Marriage Certificate Apostille FAQ

How do I get an apostille on a California marriage certificate?
Obtain a certified copy from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) or from the County Recorder where the marriage was filed. Submit to the California Secretary of State Notary Public Section — Sacramento (1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor), Los Angeles (300 South Spring Street), or by mail to P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento. Fee is $20 per apostille.
Can I apostille a confidential California marriage certificate?
Yes, but the certified copy must be requested by one of the spouses, not a third party. Confidential marriage records are sealed under California Family Code §511 and are only released to the parties or by court order. Once the certified copy is in hand, the apostille process is identical to public marriages.
How do I get an apostille on a California marriage certificate for Italy?
Order a long-form certified copy from CDPH (VS 113A) or the County Recorder where the marriage was filed. The California Secretary of State attaches the apostille. Italian consulates then require a certified Italian translation of the certified copy plus apostille. Confirm the current requirement with the Italian consulate before requesting.
How long does a California marriage certificate apostille take?
The California Secretary of State apostille step is dynamic — check sos.ca.gov/notary/processing-times for the live posted timeline. Walk-in filings are typically same-day when capacity allows. The certified-copy step (CDPH or county) has its own timeline. Outcomes are not guaranteed by Apostille San Francisco.
Can I apostille an out-of-state marriage certificate in California?
No. The California Secretary of State only authenticates California-recorded marriages. A marriage filed in Texas must be apostilled by Texas, a marriage filed in New York by New York, and so on. Apostille San Francisco can coordinate out-of-state apostilles via that state’s Secretary of State.
Can a same-sex marriage certificate be apostilled in California?
Yes. California has issued certified marriage records for same-sex marriages since June 2008. The apostille process is identical to any other California marriage certificate. The destination country’s acceptance of the marriage for legal recognition purposes is governed by that country’s own law and is independent of the apostille step.
Does the apostille need translation?
The California Secretary of State does not certify translations. Translation is completed separately — typically certified copy is apostilled first, then translated by a certified translator. Some destinations require the translation itself to be notarized and apostilled. Confirm with the destination consulate before filing.
Marriage Filed in California?

Let us confirm certified-copy status before you file.

One business day to verify the certified copy and route. The $35 Document Check is credited 100% to your apostille service when you proceed; non-refundable if the document is declined.

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Last reviewed: 2026-05-24.

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Apostille San Francisco verifies your documents are filing-ready before California Secretary of State fees are spent. The $35 Document Check is credited 100% to your apostille service when you proceed; non-refundable if the document is declined.

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Apostille issuance is by the California Secretary of State. Apostille San Francisco is a private filing service; not a government agency; no legal advice. Outcomes are not guaranteed.

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