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Direct Answer · CDPH or County Recorder certified copy

California
Marriage Certificate Apostille

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 (confidential marriages: the County Clerk). Informational copies are rejected. Fee: $20 per apostille, plus a $6 special handling fee for each different public official’s signature on in-person requests. Common foreign uses: dual citizenship, foreign residency, name changes abroad.

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At a glance
Issued byCDPH or County Recorder · county where the marriage was filed
Copy typeCertified copy only · informational copies rejected
State fee$20 per apostille · $6 per official’s signature in person
Out-of-stateApostilled by the state · where the marriage was recorded
Price$180 mail-in · $450 same-day · $650 for 3
Marriage Certificate Readiness Gate

Three checks before you file

Pre-Check the Certificate
01Certificate is a certified copy, not an informational copy. Certified copies carry a raised seal or color watermark and the Registrar’s signature.
02Marriage was recorded in California. Out-of-state marriages must be apostilled by the state where the marriage was recorded.
03Destination is a Hague Convention party. If not, the document needs embassy or consulate legalization.
Issuing authorities

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 public California marriages from 1905–1999 and 2008–2024. Marriages from 2000–2007 must be ordered from the County Recorder. CDPH does not hold confidential marriages. Apply via VS 113A. 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. Confidential marriage copies are available only from the County Clerk.

Two record types

Public vs Confidential Marriage Certificates

California issues two types of marriage records: public marriages (the certificate is part of the public record; informational copies are widely available, but the authorized certified copy needed for an apostille requires a notarized sworn statement) and confidential marriages (the certificate is sealed and held by the County Clerk; 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.

By destination

Common Destinations for California Marriage Apostilles

01Italy — spousal jure matrimonii citizenship pathway, requires apostille on long-form certified copy plus certified Italian translation.
02Mexico — residency, name changes, and dual citizenship for spouses.
03Philippines — common for U.S. citizens who married Filipino nationals; the apostille certified copy is recorded with the Philippine Statistics Authority.
04Spain — spousal residency.
05United Kingdom — settlement and spouse visas.
06China — Hague member since November 2023.
07UAE, Qatar, Egypt — non-Hague; require embassy or consulate legalization.
Rejection traps

Most Common Rejection Causes

01Informational copy submitted instead of certified copy.
02Out-of-state marriage certificate sent to California.
03Damaged or laminated certified copy.
04Confidential marriage certificate requested by a third party rather than a spouse.
05Translation submitted instead of the certified copy itself (the apostille attaches to the original certified copy; translation is separate).
How we handle it

How Apostille San Francisco Handles Marriage Certificate Apostilles

01$45 Document Check verifies certified-copy status and destination-country fit. $20 applied toward your apostille when you proceed; non-refundable if declined.
02Counter or mail filing at the California Secretary of State — see Sacramento Secretary of State office or mail filing route.
03Tracked return delivery; international forwarding to the destination authority when required.
04Translation coordination — apostille attaches to certified copy first, then certified translation is completed separately.
$45Document Check · $20 applied toward your apostille
Marriage Filed in California?

Let us confirm certified-copy status before you file.

One business day to verify the certified copy and route. The $45 Document Check puts $20 toward your apostille when you proceed; non-refundable if the document is declined.

Start the $45 Document CheckCall +1-415-439-0289

California Marriage Certificate Apostille FAQ

01

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 (confidential marriages come only from the County Clerk). 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, plus a $6 special handling fee for each different public official’s signature on in-person requests.
02

Can I apostille a confidential California marriage certificate?

Yes, but the certified copy must come from the County Clerk and be requested by one of the two spouses named on the certificate, 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.
03

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.
04

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.
05

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.
06

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.
07

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.
Before SOS fees are spent

Start with the $45 Document Check

Run the $45 Document CheckTalk to a Specialist

Apostille San Francisco verifies your documents are filing-ready before California Secretary of State fees are spent. The $45 Document Check is $20 applied toward your apostille when you proceed; non-refundable if the document is declined.

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.

What changed

Last reviewed: 2026-05-24.

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