Searching for “FCDO apostille marriage certificate” usually means one of two things, and they go to completely different offices.
A UK marriage certificate for use abroad: the FCDO
If you married in the UK and need the certificate accepted in another country (including the U.S.), the apostille comes from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office.
- You need a certified copy issued by the General Register Office or the local register office, not a photocopy.
- The standard paper apostille costs £45 per document, plus delivery.
- The FCDO’s e-Apostille is not available for marriage certificates, because they are paper originals. You must use the paper service.
A U.S. office, including a New York notary or the New York Department of State, cannot apostille a UK certificate.
A U.S. marriage certificate for use in the UK: your U.S. state
The UK is a Hague Convention country, so a U.S. marriage certificate needs an apostille from the state that issued it. The FCDO has nothing to do with it.
For a New York City marriage, order the certificate from the Office of the City Clerk with a Letter of Exemplification, have it authenticated by the County Clerk, and then submit it to the New York Department of State, which charges $10 per apostille. A marriage certificate issued elsewhere in New York State goes through the local registrar and county authentication the same way.
We handle notarization, authentication and the New York apostille filing, then ship it back. $199 for the service. See the apostille service →
Getting married in the UK as a U.S. citizen?
Some UK and overseas registrars ask U.S. citizens for a sworn statement of single status. That is a document you sign before a notary, and it can then be apostilled in New York.
Frequently asked questions
Does the FCDO apostille marriage certificates?
Yes, UK-issued marriage certificates. You need a certified copy from the General Register Office or local register office, and the paper service costs £45 per document.
Can I get an e-Apostille for a UK marriage certificate?
No. The FCDO e-Apostille is not available for marriage certificates, so you must use the paper apostille service.
Who apostilles a New York marriage certificate for use in the UK?
The New York Department of State, after the certificate is authenticated by the County Clerk. NYC certificates need a Letter of Exemplification from the City Clerk.
Can a U.S. notary notarize a copy of my marriage certificate for the UK?
No. A New York notary cannot certify copies of public records. You need a certified copy from the issuing office.
Related reading
- Apostille services in New York
- What is an apostille?
- Apostille vs certificate of authentication
- Why apostille requests get rejected
- Marrying abroad: single status affidavit and apostille
This article is general information, not legal advice. Government fees and processing times change, so confirm with the issuing office before you submit. NotarEaseNYC is a notary and document service, not a law firm.