MARRIAGE ABROAD
Documents for Getting Married Abroad
Planning a wedding in Italy, Mexico, Portugal or anywhere else? We prepare, apostille and coordinate translation of the documents your destination requires, so your paperwork is ready well before the big day.
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MARRIAGE ABROAD
One coordinated packet
Records from any state, apostilled and ready to translate.
- Birth certificates
- Single status affidavits
- Divorce decrees
- Translation coordinated
What most countries ask for
Documents couples commonly need
- A certified birth certificate showing both parents' names, recently issued
- Evidence of single status, such as a single status affidavit or a consular declaration
- A divorce decree or the prior spouse's death certificate, if previously married
- Proof of name change, if your name differs from your birth certificate
- Apostilles from the state that issued each record
- Translation into the local language, sometimes by a translator appointed in that country
Requirements in popular destinations
| Country | What to expect | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | Birth certificate showing both parents' names, apostilled and translated into Italian; a divorce decree, if applicable, apostilled with an apostilled translation | An Atto Notorio sworn before an Italian consulate with four witnesses, valid 180 days, and a sworn statement before a U.S. consular officer in Italy |
| Mexico | Certified birth certificate with an apostille, translated in Mexico; blood tests in many states | Rules vary by state, and divorced applicants may face a waiting period |
| Spain | Birth certificate issued within three months, apostilled, with a sworn Spanish translation | At least one partner generally must be a resident of Spain |
| Portugal | Birth certificate issued within six months, with a Portuguese translation, and a certificate of capacity to marry | Processing takes at least four weeks |
| Greece | A recent birth certificate and proof of capacity to marry, apostilled, with an official Greek translation | Originals are required |
| Costa Rica | Apostilled birth certificates and, if applicable, divorce decrees | An official translator in Costa Rica prepares the Spanish translation |
These are typical requirements, not a complete list, and they change. The civil registry, wedding planner or attorney handling your marriage always has the final word, and we review their checklist before we begin.
Ready to get started?
Tell us what you need, and we will take care of every step.
How we handle it
- 1
Send us the registry's checklist
Your wedding planner, officiant, consulate or civil registry will have a list. We review it and confirm what each document needs.
- 2
We gather and prepare each record
New certified copies of Massachusetts vital records, notarization of your single status affidavit anywhere in Greater Boston, and records from other states.
- 3
Apostilles from the right offices
Massachusetts records go to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and records from other states to the issuing state, all coordinated in one order.
- 4
Translation and delivery
We arrange certified translation where it is accepted, or ship the apostilled originals to the official translator in your destination, with tracking.
Plan ahead
Recently issued records
Many countries want birth certificates issued within the last three to six months, so order new copies close to your submission date.
Single status affidavit
A sworn statement, notarized and apostilled, is the most common U.S. answer to a certificate of no impediment. See Single Status Affidavit.
After the wedding
If you will need your foreign marriage certificate in the United States or elsewhere, ask the local authority about obtaining its apostille before you leave.
Common mistakes we help you avoid
- Old birth certificates. A certificate issued years ago is often rejected. Order a new certified copy.
- Short-form or abstract certificates. Many countries require the long form showing both parents' names.
- Forgetting the prior marriage. A certified divorce decree or death certificate is almost always required.
- Translating before the apostille. The translation often needs to cover the apostille too.
- Assuming a destination wedding is a legal marriage. Some countries, such as Spain, generally require residency. Many couples marry legally at home and celebrate abroad.
Official sources
- Consulate General of Italy in Boston: marriage in Italy
- Government of Portugal: certificate of capacity to marry
- Hague Conference: Apostille Convention status table
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: apostilles and certifications
Requirements change, and the receiving office always has the final word. We confirm current requirements with every quote.
Frequently asked questions
Does the United States issue a certificate of no impediment?
No. Countries that require one usually accept a sworn statement made before a U.S. consular officer abroad or a notarized single status affidavit, depending on the country.
Do I need a new birth certificate to marry abroad?
Often, yes. Many countries require a certified copy issued within the last three to six months.
Can you apostille records from different states?
Yes. Each record is apostilled by the state that issued it, and we coordinate them in one order.
Can you translate the documents?
We provide certified translation when the destination accepts it. Some countries require a translator appointed locally, and we ship the apostilled originals directly to them.
Can we get married at the U.S. embassy?
No. U.S. consular officers do not perform marriages. The marriage is performed under local law.
Getting married abroad?
Send us your destination's checklist and your wedding date, and we will prepare everything on time.