Baltimore, MD
Federal Marriage Record Apostille for Baltimore, MD Residents
How Baltimore residents get their Federal Marriage Record authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, the local details, timing and price.
Quick answer
Most federal marriage record holders in Baltimore actually have a Maryland state record, which goes to the Maryland Secretary of State. Only genuinely federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.
Key takeaways
- Issued by U.S. Department of State / consular authority; apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
- Through us: $299 all-in for Hague countries (10–12 business days) or $399 with embassy legalization for non-Hague countries (15–17 business days).
- Do it yourself: Form DS-4194 and a $20 fee per document — processed within 5 weeks by mail, or 7 business days if you drop it off in Washington, D.C.
- County
- The independent City of Baltimore
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- State apostille office
- Maryland Secretary of State, Annapolis
- Our nearest office
- Washington, D.C. (headquarters)
Married in Maryland? It’s probably a state record
Marriage certificates issued by a Maryland county clerk or the state vital records office are state documents, apostilled by the Maryland Secretary of State in Annapolis — not by the U.S. Department of State. Only consular or federally issued marriage records take the federal route.
Send us a photo before ordering and we’ll tell you which route yours takes.
Baltimore: the local details
Baltimore is in the independent City of Baltimore, within the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Maryland state documents are apostilled by the Maryland Secretary of State in Annapolis.
About the Federal Marriage Record
How to apostille a federally issued or consular marriage record for spousal visas and foreign registration.
Getting it done from Baltimore
We don’t have an office in Baltimore — and you don’t need one. Baltimore clients send documents by mail, and our nearest office is Washington, D.C. (headquarters), a processing office that handles orders by phone and online.
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | U.S. Department of State apostille | 10–12 business days |
| Non-Hague country | Authentication + embassy legalization | 15–17 business days |
Official sources: U.S. Department of State — Marriage Abroad · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · Maryland Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries) · U.S. Courts — Federal Court Websites.
Maryland state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) are apostilled by the Maryland Secretary of State, Certification Desk · 16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 · (410) 974-5521 · state fee $5. We don’t provide state-level apostilles. Official page (checked October 2026).
How long does the Federal Marriage Record apostille take from Baltimore?
The U.S. Department of State is the only office that issues a federal apostille. Mailed in yourself, it is processed within 5 weeks of receipt; dropped off in person in Washington, D.C., within 7 business days. Through us it takes 10–12 business days, or 15–17 business days for a non-Hague country that also needs embassy legalization.
| Route | How | Processing time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mail it yourself | Form DS-4194 + check to the Office of Authentications, Sterling, VA | Within 5 weeks of receipt | $20 per document + shipping |
| Drop it off yourself | 600 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C. — Mon–Thu, 7:30–9:00 AM, no appointment | Within 7 business days | $20 per document + travel |
| Emergency appointment | Only for a life-or-death family emergency with travel within 2 weeks | Same day | $20 per document |
| Through Federal Apostille USA | We review it, drop it off in D.C. and return it to you with tracking | 10–12 business days total | $299 all-in ($399 non-Hague) |
What does it cost in Baltimore?
The government fee is $20 per document, paid with Form DS-4194. Our all-in price is $299 per document, covering the government fee, review, D.C. drop-off and U.S. return shipping; non-Hague destinations are $399 with embassy legalization.
Government figures: U.S. Department of State — Request Authentication Services (checked October 2026).
Federal Marriage Record in Baltimore — FAQ
Is there an apostille office in Baltimore for a Federal Marriage Record?
State-issued versions go to the Maryland Secretary of State in Annapolis; federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.
Do I need to visit an office in Baltimore?
No. Baltimore clients send documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from Baltimore?
About 10–12 business days for Hague Convention countries and 15–17 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, plus shipping.
How much does it cost?
$299 per document for Hague countries, with government fees and U.S. shipping included; non-Hague destinations are $399 including embassy legalization.
Which federal court covers Baltimore?
Baltimore is in the independent City of Baltimore, within the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
Related: All documents in Baltimore · Federal Marriage Record in Maryland · Federal Marriage Record — full guide
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