How can I obtain an apostille for a marriage certificate in NYC?

Answer 1

If you need an apostille for your marriage certificate issued in New York City, you must follow these steps:

1. Get a Certified Copy of Your Marriage Certificate

First, obtain an official certified copy of your marriage certificate from the New York City Clerk's Office or the New York State Department of Health (depending on where you were married).

Make sure it’s a long-form certificate with the original signature of the City Clerk or State Registrar.

2. Get a County Clerk Authentication

If your marriage certificate was issued by New York City (five boroughs), it must first be authenticated by the County Clerk of the borough where it was issued (e.g., Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens).

This step verifies that the official who signed your marriage certificate was properly authorized.

3. Apply for the Apostille from the New York Department of State

After County Clerk authentication, submit the document to the New York State Department of State (Division of Licensing Services) for apostille.

You can apply in person or by mail.

Documents Needed:

Original certified marriage certificate (after County Clerk authentication)

Apostille application form

Payment (usually around $10 per apostille)

4. Receive Your Apostille

Processing typically takes a few days for walk-ins or about 2–3 weeks by mail (may vary depending on demand).

Important Tips:

If you married outside NYC (but in New York State), the steps may vary slightly.

Always check if you need a translation if the document will be used in a non-English-speaking country.

Answer 2

To obtain an apostille for a marriage certificate in NYC, you need to contact the New York State Department of State's Apostille and Authentication Unit. You will need to submit a request form along with the original marriage certificate and a fee. The apostille will authenticate the document for use in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.