North Carolina Marriage Certificate Apostille Guide
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A North Carolina marriage certificate apostille means getting an official certified copy of the marriage record from the office that issued it, then having North Carolina authenticate that copy. This guide walks you through doing it yourself for the state apostille fee only: $10.00 for the first document; $5.00 for each additional document submitted at the same time.
- Apostille fee: $10 per apostille certificate
- Certified copy: $24 per copy.
- Certified copy from: NC Vital Records, or the County Register of Deeds
- Processing Time: Varies by current queue (checked 2026-06-05); same-day in person where offered
- Requirements: Original certified copy with the registrar's seal and signature
- Issuing Authority: North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State
- Note: Only works for North Carolina-issued documents
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Quick Answer
To apostille a North Carolina marriage certificate, order an official certified copy from NC Department of Health and Human Services, NC Vital Records., then submit it to North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State with the $10 apostille fee. Plan for the time to get both the certified copy and the apostille.
En español
Para apostillar un certificado de matrimonio de North Carolina, solicite una copia certificada oficial a NC Department of Health and Human Services, NC Vital Records y luego envíela a North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State junto con la tarifa de apostille de $10. Tenga en cuenta el tiempo necesario para obtener tanto la copia certificada como el apostille.
What It Is
An apostille authenticates an official certified copy of your marriage record. It confirms only that the issuing official's signature and seal are genuine — it does not verify the facts of the marriage itself.
The decorative ceremony or keepsake certificate handed to you by the officiant is not the official record and cannot be apostilled. A photocopy or scan cannot be apostilled either.
You must start with a true certified copy carrying the issuing official's raised seal and original signature; only that document can move on to authentication.
When You Need an Apostille
People most often apostille a North Carolina marriage certificate for:
When You Don't Need an Apostille
- The document will only be used inside the United States — an apostille is for use abroad.
- The destination country is NOT a member of the Hague Apostille Convention; those countries require consular legalization through their embassy or consulate instead of an apostille.
- The receiving institution has confirmed in writing that a plain or notarized copy is enough.
Who Can Apply
Eligibility to order a certified copy of a marriage record is usually limited to a small group, and you will typically need a valid photo ID. In general
- Certified copy: request an official certified copy issued by the office that holds the marriage record — one with the raised or embossed seal and the issuing clerk's original signature.
- Not the keepsake certificate: the decorative certificate from the ceremony or officiant is not the official record and cannot be apostilled.
- Eligible requester: usually one of the spouses or an authorized representative; a valid photo ID is typically required.
Document Requirements
Certified copy
An official certified copy issued by the office that holds the marriage record — with the raised/embossed seal and the issuing clerk's original signature
Not the keepsake certificate
The decorative certificate from the ceremony/officiant is NOT the official record and cannot be apostilled
Eligible requester
Usually one of the spouses or an authorized representative; a valid photo ID is typically required
- •Ceremonial or souvenir certificates from the officiant
- •Photocopies or scans of a certified copy
- •Copies missing the issuing clerk's seal or original signature
- •Informational or abstract copies where a full certified copy is required
Fees & Processing Times
Budget for two separate fees: the certified copy of your marriage certificate and the apostille itself.
$24 per copy.
Certified marriage certificate (NC Department of Health and Human Services, NC Vital Records)
$10
Per apostille certificate
Payment method: Personal check, money order, cashier's check (payable to NC Secretary of State).
| Fee Category | Details / Value |
|---|---|
| Certified copy | $24 per copy. — Certified marriage certificate (NC Department of Health and Human Services, NC Vital Records) |
| Apostille fee | $10 — per apostille certificate |
| Payment | Personal check, money order, cashier's check (payable to NC Secretary of State). |
| Processing — by mail | Sources searched: https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/authentications/apostilles_and_certificates ; https://www.sosnc.gov/documents/forms/authentication/authentication-request-cover-sheet.pdf |
| Processing — in person | In-person drop-off and pickup options are listed on request instructions. |
| Same-day / expedited | NOT FOUND (no separate paid expedite tier published on retrieved pages). |
Fees and processing times verified 2026-06-05 against official state sources. Always confirm the current amount before sending payment.
Step-by-Step How-To
- 1
Order a certified marriage certificate
Start by ordering your certified copy. Order the certified copy from the Register of Deeds in the county where the marriage took place (often same-day).
- 2
Submit it for apostille
Once you have the certified copy, assemble your packet: the certified copy, a completed request form, payment, and a self-addressed return envelope. Use the Apostille request form (https://www. A certified copy from NC Vital Records or the county Register of Deeds is apostilled directly by the NC Secretary of State Authentications Division.
Authentications
PO Box 29622
Raleigh
NC 27626-0622. - 3
Receive your apostille
Your apostilled certificate is returned in your prepaid envelope (or handed back at the counter for same-day service). Keep the apostille attached to the certificate when using it abroad.
🌍 Next step: Certified Translation
Many countries require a certified translation of your apostilled marriage certificate — especially for immigration, USCIS, or university admissions. Get a USCIS-accepted translation at CertTranslate.com.
Contact Information
Authentications
PO Box 29622
Raleigh
NC 27626-0622.
Common Reasons Apostilles Get Rejected
Ceremonial or souvenir certificates from the officiant
Photocopies or scans of a certified copy
Copies missing the issuing clerk's seal or original signature
Informational or abstract copies where a full certified copy is required
Official Resources
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Verified Sources
Every fee, address, and processing time on this page was checked against the official government sources below (last verified 2026-06-05).
- sosnc.gov· checked 2026-06-05
- vitalrecords.nc.gov· checked 2026-02-25
Sources & Methodology
Official Sources
- North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Authentications Office.
- NC Department of Health and Human Services, NC Vital Records.
- Hague Conference on Private International Law
Our Process
- Verified against official .gov sources
- Reviewed by document-authentication specialists
- Fee and processing-time monitoring
Disclaimer: This information is general guidance and not legal advice. Always verify current information directly with the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Authentications Office. before submitting your application.
"Getting an apostille for your North Carolina marriage certificate is straightforward once you have the right certified copy — the most common rejection is submitting a photocopy instead of a sealed original."
Amelia Rivera
Document Processing Specialist
15+ years in document authentication
Verification & Updates Log
Tracking content accuracy and improvements
- 2026-06-06Updated
Added the certified-copy cost alongside the apostille fee, refreshed the current processing times, and linked the official .gov pages every fact was verified against.
- 2026-06-06Improved
Expanded the accepted-document and rejection-reason checklists so applicants can avoid the most common returns.
- 2026-06-05Verified
Confirmed the $10 apostille fee and North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State as the issuing authority.
- 2026-06-05Verified
Verified where to order a certified marriage certificate (NC Department of Health and Human Services, NC Vital Records.) and the apostille submission addresses.
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