Secretary of State in the state where the divorce was granted.
What You Need Before Submitting for Apostille
A clerk-certified copy of the final divorce decree from the court that issued it (typically a Superior Court, Circuit Court, or District Court depending on the state). The clerk must certify and seal the copy — a photocopy or a lawyer-certified copy is not sufficient.
Step-by-Step Process
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1
Obtain the Correct Document Version
See the preparation requirements above. The most common reason apostille requests fail at step one is submitting the wrong version of the document. When in doubt, contact the issuing authority (vital records office, court clerk, school) and confirm you have the right certified copy before proceeding.
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2
Identify Your State's Apostille Office
The apostille is issued by the state where the document was issued or notarized — not where you live now. Use our state directory to find the correct office, current fee, and mailing address for your state.
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3
Prepare Your Submission Package
Include: the original certified document, a cover letter (your name, return address, destination country, document count), payment (check or money order to the state authority for the per-document fee), and a pre-addressed return envelope with tracking.
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4
Submit and Wait
Mail to the address on your state's official website (always verify — addresses change). Use a tracked mailing method. Standard processing: 5–15 business days depending on state. See the state table for your state's specific timeline.
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5
Receive and Submit to Destination
Verify the apostille is securely attached. Do not separate it from the original. If a translation is required, send the complete apostilled document to a certified translator. Then submit the full package to your foreign authority.
Common Uses: Apostilling a Divorce Decree
| Use Case | Notes |
|---|---|
| Remarriage in a foreign country | Most countries require proof of divorce before allowing remarriage — apostilled decree is standard. |
| Spousal visa as a divorced applicant | Many consulates require apostilled divorce decree to prove prior marriage termination. |
| Legal proceedings abroad | International legal matters involving marital assets or child custody may require apostilled divorce records. |
| Italian citizenship by marriage | If citizenship derives from a marriage, proof that prior marriages were legally dissolved may be required. |
| Name change documentation abroad | Apostilled divorce decree may be needed to change name back in foreign country records. |
Some states charge a higher apostille fee for court documents than for notarized documents. Florida, for example, charges $20 for certified court documents vs. $10 for notarized documents. Factor this into your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
The document required varies by country. Many foreign authorities accept either, but the divorce decree (the court's final order) is more comprehensive and universally accepted. Some countries specifically require the decree; others accept a divorce certificate (a summary document issued by vital records). When in doubt, apostille the full decree.
You need the apostille from the state where the divorce was granted — not your current state. Contact the clerk of the specific court that issued the divorce decree to obtain a clerk-certified copy, then submit it to that state's Secretary of State.
Yes — even uncontested divorces result in a signed court order (the decree). It may be called a Decree of Dissolution, Judgment of Divorce, or similar, depending on the state. Contact the clerk of the court where the case was filed to obtain a certified copy.
No. The apostille process authenticates the court record — it's a public court document. Either party (or any person with a legal right to the record) can request a certified copy from the court and submit it for apostille without the other party's consent.