TYPES OF DOCUMENTS
Certificate of Witness to Marriage Abroad
Do you need to your Certificate of Witness to Marriage Abroad Apostilled? A Certificate of Witness to Marriage is a certificate that is issued by an U.S. Embassies or Consulates. The document states the facts of a marriage abroad in which at least one party is an United States citizen. A Consular Officer should have attended the ceremony.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents often marry abroad. Countries of marriage and spouse citizenship vary greatly. Therefore, local requirements always dictate a particular set of documents that are required to not only complete the marriage but to also to successfully bring the spouse back to the United States.
If a U.S. citizen legally marries a person abroad, that marriage would be recognized as legal in the United States if it was legally performed and is valid per the legislation of the foreign country. However, certain legality complications may exist on a State level (i.e. state positions regarding same sex marriages). Therefire, one should check the website of the Attorney General of the State where they plan to live.
It is often necessary to apostille or legalize documents prior the marriage. Many countries have different requirements. Therefore, it is suggested to take into the account each country's requirements in advance and to get all your necessary documents in order. Prior to November 9, 1989 the U.S. Department of State (USDOS) issued Certificates of Witness to Marriage Abroad when a U.S. Consular Officer witnessed the marriage ceremony of a U.S. citizen(s) performed abroad. However, since then subce then the USDOS stopped issuing this document. You can obtain a copy of this document by requesting the USDOS office.
However, the USDOS does not maintain foreign marriage documents. If you were married abroad, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate of the country where the marriage was performed to obtain a certified copy of your foreign marriage document.
If a U.S. citizen legally marries a person abroad, that marriage would be recognized as legal in the United States if it was legally performed and is valid per the legislation of the foreign country. However, certain legality complications may exist on a State level (i.e. state positions regarding same sex marriages). Therefire, one should check the website of the Attorney General of the State where they plan to live.
It is often necessary to apostille or legalize documents prior the marriage. Many countries have different requirements. Therefore, it is suggested to take into the account each country's requirements in advance and to get all your necessary documents in order. Prior to November 9, 1989 the U.S. Department of State (USDOS) issued Certificates of Witness to Marriage Abroad when a U.S. Consular Officer witnessed the marriage ceremony of a U.S. citizen(s) performed abroad. However, since then subce then the USDOS stopped issuing this document. You can obtain a copy of this document by requesting the USDOS office.
However, the USDOS does not maintain foreign marriage documents. If you were married abroad, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate of the country where the marriage was performed to obtain a certified copy of your foreign marriage document.
PLEASE NOTE - Unfortunately we cannot assist with obtaining Apostilles for this type of document. The process for this type of apostille must be made by the requestor, and the federal government will not permit third parties to be involved.
In order to obtain an apostille for this type of document you must request a new copy AND AT THE SAME TIME request the Apostille on it. You can do this here. Here at Ezra Notary and Apostille,
In order to obtain an apostille for this type of document you must request a new copy AND AT THE SAME TIME request the Apostille on it. You can do this here. Here at Ezra Notary and Apostille,