How to Obtain and Apostille a Marriage License from Montgomery County, Maryland

If you were married in Montgomery County, Maryland and need to use your marriage license in another country—for immigration, dual citizenship, or legal recognition abroad—your document must go through an authentication process called apostille.

This guide will walk you through how to obtain a certified copy of your marriage license from Montgomery County and how to get it apostilled so it’s accepted in foreign jurisdictions.

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What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is a form of authentication issued for documents that need to be recognized in other countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

For a marriage license, the apostille confirms:

• The document was issued by a government official.
• The signature and seal are genuine.
• The document is valid for international use.

If the receiving country is not a member of the Hague Convention, your document must go through a longer legalization process (typically involving the U.S. Department of State and the embassy of the destination country).

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Step 1: Request a Certified Copy of Your Marriage License

To begin, you need to obtain a certified copy of your marriage license from the Montgomery County Circuit Court.

How to Request:

In Person:

• Visit the Montgomery County Circuit Court License Department located at:

50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850
North Tower, 1st Floor

• Bring valid ID and provide the full names of both spouses and the date of marriage.

By Mail:

• Write a letter including:
  • Full names of both spouses
  • Date of marriage
  • Reason for request (e.g., "for apostille")
  • Return address and phone number
• Include a check or money order payable to Clerk of the Circuit Court (usually $5–$10 per copy).
• Mail to:

Montgomery County Circuit Court – License Department
50 Maryland Avenue
North Tower, Room 1300
Rockville, MD 20850

Be sure to request a certified copy, as regular photocopies cannot be apostilled.

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Step 2: Determine If You Need an Apostille or Embassy Legalization

Before moving forward, confirm what the destination country requires:

• If the country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you only need an apostille from the Maryland Secretary of State.
• If not, you’ll also need authentication by the U.S. Department of State and legalization by the destination country’s embassy.

We can help you check what’s needed based on your country.

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Step 3: Apostille the Marriage License

Once you have a certified copy in hand, submit it to the Maryland Secretary of State’s office for apostille.

Apostille Request Instructions (Maryland):

Prepare Your Documents:

• Original certified copy of the marriage license (issued by the Montgomery County Circuit Court)
• Completed Apostille/Authentication Request Form
• Payment (typically $5 per document by check or money order to Maryland Secretary of State)
• Prepaid return envelope (e.g., USPS, FedEx, or UPS)

Mail to:

Maryland Secretary of State
Attn: Apostille Department
State House, 16 Francis Street
Annapolis, MD 21401

Processing Time:

• Standard processing: 5–7 business days
• Expedited service (if available): 1–2 business days (call ahead to confirm)

In-Person Drop-Off:
You can also deliver the documents to the Annapolis office if you prefer faster service.

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Common International Uses for Marriage Licenses

• Immigration visa sponsorship
• Dual citizenship applications
• Inheritance and estate planning abroad
• Spouse visa applications
• Name changes in another country
• Proof of marital status for legal proceedings overseas

Make sure to check translation requirements if the receiving country doesn’t accept English-language documents. We also offer certified translations in over 20 languages.

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Let Us Handle the Process for You

At DC Mobile Notary, we can assist you every step of the way—from obtaining the certified marriage license from Montgomery County to completing the apostille and embassy legalization process. We offer:

✅ Certified copy requests
✅ Apostille service via Maryland Secretary of State
✅ Full embassy legalization (if required)
✅ Certified translation services
✅ Free document review
✅ Nationwide & international shipping

We can obtain and apostille marriage licenses from Montgomery County, MD.
📞 Call 202-247-0837 or email support@dcmobilenotary.com for assistance today.

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