Apostille Marriage Certificate Washington State: 5-Step Guide

An apostille plays a unique role in verifying public documents from one country for use in another. The Office of the Secretary of State in Washington State issues this special certificate. You need this certification to present a marriage certificate in any country that belongs to the 1961 Hague Convention. The apostille aims to simplify the recognition of international documents, eliminating the need to legalize them through embassies or consulates.

Obtaining an apostille for your Washington State marriage certificate confirms to foreign officials that your document is authentic and valid. The apostille is key to ensuring that other countries accept your marriage certificate when you move, try to obtain dual citizenship, or deal with legal matters.

You might need to get an apostille for your Washington State marriage certificate in these cases:

• Moving to another country: A lot of countries want vital records with an apostille when you're trying to live there
• Asking for dual citizenship: You have to show you're married with official papers
• Dealing with property in other countries: Buying a house as a married couple in a foreign place
• Legal stuff in other countries: Court cases about being married across borders
• Working in a different country: Some employers ask for proof that you're married for official purposes or to get a visa

To get an apostille for your Washington State marriage certificate, you'll need:

• Certified Copy of Your Marriage Certificate: This must be an official copy from the county where you registered your marriage or from the Washington State Department of Health. Simple photocopies, even those with a notary stamp, will not suffice for an apostille. A certified copy bears the original seal and signature of the office that issued it.
• Completed Apostille Authentication Request Form: You must complete this form accurately, including the name of the country where you intend to use the document.
• Fees: Have the correct amount ready to pay for the apostille service and any additional items, such as certified copies.
• Return shipping materials: When mailing your submission, please include an envelope with your address and a pre-paid return envelope so that your documents can be sent back to you.

The Washington State apostille process can be completed in five simple steps. If you follow these steps, you'll get your document processed quickly.

Step 1: Get a Certified Copy of Your Marriage Certificate

In the first step, you will need to have a certified copy of your marriage certificate to obtain an apostille. You can get a certified copy of your Washington State marriage certificate in several ways:

• The County Auditor's Office: Where you registered your marriage. This option often gets you the quickest results if you can show up in person.
• Washington State Department of Health: You can ask for copies through the mail or on their website.
• Online order through VitalChek: This service gives you easy online ordering with different delivery options

Plan to pay out a basic fee for each certified copy of your marriage certificate.

Step 2: Fill Out the Apostille Request Form
The Washington Secretary of State requests that you submit a completed Apostille Authentication Request Form with every application. You can download this form from the Secretary of State's website.
To fill out the form, you need to provide:

• Your details (name, address, phone number)
• Type of document (marriage certificate)
• Country where you'll use the document (this is key because it determines if you need an apostille or authentication)
• How do you want it processed (standard or expedited)

Avoid these common errors when filling out the form:

• Not mentioning the destination country
• Failing to sign the form where needed
• Leaving out some contact information
• Picking the wrong type of document

Step 3: Get Your Payment Ready
Before submitting your apostille request, ensure you are aware of the total cost. It includes the processing fee, the cost of a certified marriage certificate, and any additional charges for expedited service if required. If you're using a third-party apostille service, expect to pay a higher fee.

The Washington Secretary of State accepts checks, money orders, and credit cards for in-person payments. If you are submitting by mail, please pay by check to "Secretary of State," include your phone number on the check, and double-check all your payment information to avoid delays. Keep your receipt ready for future reference.

Step 4: Submit Your Documents to Get an Apostille Certificate: 3 Ways
You can choose from three main options to submit your Washington State marriage certificate for an apostille:

Option 1: Mail Submission
Mailing your documents is a good choice if you live far from Olympia. To submit by mail, put together a complete packet with:

• A certified copy of your Washington State marriage certificate
• The filled-out Apostille Authentication Request Form
• Payment for the needed fees
• A return envelope with your address and a stamp

Mail everything to:
Secretary of State – Apostilles
PO Box 40224
Olympia, WA 98504-0224

Mailing stuff is easy, but it can be risky. Your mail might get held up at the post office, papers could go missing, or your application could be rejected due to minor errors. If something's off with your request, they might send it back without even reviewing it, which can waste a lot of time.

Option 2: In-Person Submission
You can also hand in your documents to the Secretary of State's office in Olympia:
Apostille Office Address:
Secretary of State
Corporations & Charities Division
801 Capitol Way S
Olympia, WA 98504

Dropping off your Washington State marriage certificate for an apostille in person has some perks. You may receive same-day processing if you arrive before the afternoon, and any issues with your papers can be addressed promptly. Plus, you can pay with a credit card, which isn't an option if you mail your documents. However, this approach has its downsides as well. You'll have to go to Olympia, which can take some time, and you need to arrive the next day as well.

Option 3: Third-party Service Provider
If you want to skip the hassle of document preparation, travel, or delays, third-party apostille companies like Globeia offer a quick and dependable option. An apostille services company takes care of everything from

• Getting your paperwork ready and checking it
• Submitting your documents the right way
• Keeping track of the whole process

Globeia's Washington apostille helps save your time, reduces stress, and lowers the risk of rejection due to errors. It's great if you're out of the country and need the apostille quickly, or if you'd like someone else to handle the entire process for you.

Step 5: Processing and Result of the Washington Apostille
The time it takes to obtain an apostille for your Washington State marriage certificate depends on how you apply. If you send it via mail, it should take 7-10 business days to arrive. Expedited processing takes 2-3 business days and may incur additional costs. If you visit Olympia in person, you may be able to complete it that day, depending on their workload.

If you need it or want to avoid any hassle, a company like Globeia can handle everything for you. They provide services such as real-time tracking, personalized assistance, and delivery of your apostilled document directly to your mailbox or doorstep, depending on your preference. This option is ideal if you live in another country or require quick, dependable processing without any delays.

If you want to use a Washington marriage certificate in another country, you need to obtain an apostille. The document authentication process doesn't have an expiration date and shows that your certificate is real under the Hague Convention. Keep the document in a safe place, and be aware that some countries may require translations or additional legal steps. If you want the process to be quick, accurate, and easy, consider seeking help from experts.
Globeia provides complete apostille services in Washington and all over the USA. If you're in another country or don't have much time, our team of experts takes care of everything. To learn more about Washington apostilles, check out our blog here.