California Marriage Certificate Apostille (2026 Guide)

Spain is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so a California apostille is recognized nationwide in Spain. Spaniards call it an "Apostilla de La Haya". Typically, for Spanish bureaucratic processes (like registering your marriage with the Registro Civil or applying for residency as a spouse), you'll need the apostilled marriage certificate plus a Spanish translation.

Key Requirements:

• • Recent issuance preferred (within 3-6 months)
• • Sworn Translator (Traductor Jurado) required for translation
• • No additional consular legalization needed

Germany accepts apostilles from California as proof of authenticity. When presenting your marriage certificate in Germany (e.g., for a name change or registering with local authorities), the apostille suffices – no consular visit required. Germans may require a certified German translation.

Key Requirements:

• • Long-form certificate with full details preferred
• • Certified German translation required
• • Apostille page should also be translated
• • Apostille well understood by German officials

Italy is very strict about vital records. They not only require an apostille on your marriage certificate, but also typically demand it be a recently issued long-form certificate. For use in Italy (such as registering your marriage with the Comune or for dual citizenship via marriage), make sure your certificate shows all relevant details.

Key Requirements:

• • Recently issued certificate (within 3-6 months strongly preferred)
• • Professional Italian translation required
• • Translator's Affidavit or Dichiarazione di Valore may be needed
• • Long-form showing full details expected

Mexico has been a Hague Convention member since 1995, meaning they accept apostilles. A California marriage certificate with apostille will be recognized by Mexican authorities (e.g., for immigration, IMSS benefits, or marriage registration with Mexican authorities).

Key Requirements:

• • Spanish translation by official translator (Perito Traductor) in Mexico
• • No further legalization by Mexican consulate needed
• • Ensure names match exactly across all documents
• • Mexico is particular about consistency

India joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2005. Indian authorities (such as the FRRO or passport office) will accept the California apostille as authentication. For example, if you're applying for an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card as a spouse, you'll need your apostilled marriage certificate.

Key Requirements:

• • No consular attestation required with apostille
• • English documents generally accepted as-is (English is official language)
• • Photocopies often requested by offices
• • Straightforward acceptance process

(Update as of 2025) The UAE has acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention (effective mid-2024), which means it will start accepting apostilles instead of its old legalization process. If you are using your marriage certificate in the UAE (for example, to sponsor a spouse visa or for other legal purposes), a California apostille will be accepted by UAE authorities as proof of authenticity.

Key Requirements:

• • Certified Arabic translation often required
• • Translation typically done in UAE
• • New process (post-2024) - verify current requirements
• • No longer requires US State Dept + UAE Embassy chain

Brazil has been a member of the Apostille Convention since August 2016. A California marriage certificate apostilled will be accepted in Brazil for all official purposes (e.g., registering a foreign marriage with a Brazilian cartório, immigration, etc.). Brazil does not require consular legalization with an apostille in hand.

Key Requirements:

• • Portuguese translation by sworn translator (Tradutor Juramentado) required
• • Translation done in Brazil for government submission
• • Apostille makes document valid without consular steps

France is a founding member of the Hague Convention and readily accepts apostilles. Your apostilled California marriage certificate will be recognized by French prefectures, town halls (Mairies), or any other authority.

Key Requirements:

• • French translation required (for Carte de Séjour, marriage registration, etc.)
• • Certified translator (traducteur assermenté) in France preferred
• • No additional stamps beyond apostille needed
• • French officials may examine staple and seals closely

South Korea joined the Apostille Convention in 2007. A California apostille on your marriage certificate is valid for use in South Korea for things like spousal visas or registering a marriage with the Korean government.

Key Requirements:

• • Korean translation required for submission to local offices
• • Translation may need to be notarized in Korea
• • No consular legalization from Korean Consulate needed
• • Apostille sufficient for authentication

Problem:

If your marriage certificate was issued long ago (say, decades ago) or has a lot of wear and tear, you might run into problems. Some countries expect documents to be recently dated.

Solution:

Order a new certified copy from the County or CDPH before apostilling. California does not put an expiration on vital records, but foreign officials (especially in marriage or visa cases) often want a document issued within the last 6-12 months. It's worth the $17 fee for peace of mind.

Problem:

Check who signed your marriage certificate at the bottom. It should typically be the County Clerk-Recorder. If signed by a Local Registrar or Health Officer, the California Secretary of State may not have that signature on file.

Solution:

Take the certificate to the County Clerk's office; they can certify the document (essentially attaching a county-level certification). Then you apostille the County Clerk's certification. Or request a new copy directly from the County Recorder.

Problem:

Some couples receive a keepsake marriage certificate from the officiant or church (decorative certificate with calligraphy). Religious or private certificates cannot be apostilled.

Solution:

Always use the County-issued marriage certificate that was recorded after your wedding. If you never obtained it, you must request it from the county where you married. That's the document you apostille. The church certificate can be kept as a memento, but it has no legal value.

Problem:

If you spot a mistake on your marriage certificate (e.g., a misspelled name, wrong date of birth, etc.), the apostille will authenticate the signature, but the content error could cause foreign authorities to reject the document.

Solution:

Contact the County Recorder's office to get the error corrected or amended. California has a process for amending vital records (which may involve a form VS-24 or court order depending on the error). Once the certificate is corrected and you have a new certified copy, then proceed with the apostille.

Note:

California issues two types: authorized (for entitled persons) and informational (for anyone). Both are legally certified and the apostille will authenticate either.

Recommendation:

Use an Authorized Certified Copy for the apostille if possible (you'll need to be a party to the marriage or have power of attorney). The informational copy bears a disclaimer that might confuse non-US officials: "Informational, not valid for identity." Both types have the same signatures and will be apostilled in the same way.

Problem:

If the destination country is not a member of the Apostille Convention (e.g., China, Vietnam, Lebanon), don't go the apostille route.

Solution:

You'll need to get a Certificate of Authentication from California (similar to an apostille but meant for further legalization), then have the U.S. Department of State in D.C. authenticate that, and then the foreign country's embassy/consulate legalize it. Apostilles are for Hague Convention countries only. Research the specific steps or consult the consulate.