EWP 
How to Legalize Your U.S. Marriage Abroad — for Mexico, Ukraine, Russia & More
If you were married in North Carolina and need to use your U.S. marriage certificate abroad — for immigration, visa applications, or registering your marriage in another country — you’ll need an apostille. This international certification makes your American document legally valid in any country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Why Apostille Is Required
Most foreign governments won’t accept a standard U.S. marriage certificate without additional legalization. If you plan to move abroad, apply for spousal residency, or submit proof of marriage in Mexico, Ukraine, Russia, Italy, or other countries — your document must first be apostilled in the U.S.
This applies whether:
- You’re immigrating as a couple
- Applying for a family reunification visa
- Changing your last name abroad
- Proving marital status for legal, financial, or property rights
The Apostille Process in North Carolina
To get your marriage certificate apostilled in North Carolina, you need a certified copy of the document from the Register of Deeds in the county where you were married. That certified copy is then submitted to the North Carolina Secretary of State to receive the apostille.
Note: Copies from online databases or scanned PDFs will be rejected. Only original certified copies can be apostilled.
If you’re unsure how to begin or what exactly is required, you can find a full guide here:
👉 Apostille Services – North Carolina
Where U.S. Marriage Certificates Are Commonly Used
People from all over the U.S. — especially areas with large international populations like New York, Chicago, Florida, and the Carolinas — need apostilles for a wide range of purposes. For example:
- Mexico: For marriage registration or spousal visa
- Ukraine: For immigration sponsorship, marriage registration, or legal recognition of U.S. marriage
- Russia: For inheritance, pension claims, or proof of marital status
- Italy, Germany, Colombia: For legalizing marital status abroad
If your marriage certificate was issued in North Carolina, we can assist regardless of where you live.
Which Countries Accept Apostilles?
Your apostilled U.S. marriage certificate will be accepted in all Hague Convention countries, including:
- 🇲🇽 Mexico
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine
- 🇷🇺 Russia
- 🇮🇹 Italy
- 🇨🇴 Colombia
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- 🇫🇷 France
- 🇧🇷 Brazil
- 🇪🇸 Spain
- 🇵🇱 Poland
Serving Clients Nationwide
While this article focuses on documents issued in North Carolina, we regularly assist with apostilles from South Carolina, Florida, New York, Illinois, and all other U.S. states. No matter where you’re located, if your document was issued in the U.S., we can help you get it legalized for international use.
