Remarriage abroad
Foreign civil registrars will not let you marry overseas without proof that any prior marriage is legally ended. An apostilled divorce decree or certificate is almost always the required evidence.
Los Angeles · California divorce decree apostille
Divorce Decree & Certificate Apostille in Los Angeles, California.
We turn California and out-of-state divorce decrees and divorce certificates into documents that foreign authorities, civil registrars, and courts will accept — confirming the issuing court, certified-copy type, and apostille route before you ship.
- California & out-of-state divorce records
- Court decrees & vital-record certificates
- Same-day rush available in California
This page covers divorce decrees and divorce certificates only. For birth, marriage, or death records, see the vital records hub.
What this page covers
Divorce Record Apostille, end to end.
A divorce-record apostille is what foreign authorities require before they will recognize a U.S. divorce overseas — whether you are remarrying abroad, changing your name on a foreign ID, or settling a family-law matter outside the United States. We confirm you have a properly certified court copy or vital-records certificate, then file it with the correct state apostille authority. For non-Hague destinations, we coordinate consular legalization.
Common reasons people need this
When a divorce record apostille is required.
Name changes on foreign IDs
Restoring a maiden name or updating a married name on a foreign passport, residency card, or bank account typically requires an apostilled U.S. divorce record alongside other vital records.
Family-law filings abroad
Foreign custody, child-support, inheritance, and property cases routinely require an apostilled U.S. divorce decree to confirm legal status and to satisfy that country's family-law evidentiary rules.
How it works
Three steps from photo to apostille.
Send us a photo
Text or email a photo of the divorce decree or certificate, the issuing court or vital-records office, the destination country, and your deadline. We confirm whether your copy will be accepted or whether a new certified copy is needed first.
We confirm the right copy
Many foreign authorities will only accept a fully certified court copy with the clerk's signature and seal. We tell you which version is required and how to order a fresh certified copy from the court or vital-records office that finalized the divorce.
We apostille and return
We file with the correct Secretary of State, track processing, and return the apostilled document by secure courier, mail, or in-person pickup. Same-day rush is available for most California divorce records.
What will and won't be accepted
Accepted & rejected divorce record copies.
Will be accepted
- Certified court copies of the divorce decree signed and sealed by the issuing court clerk
- California divorce certificates from CDPH or the county recorder where the divorce was registered
- Out-of-state divorce decrees or certificates issued by that state's court or vital-records office
- Recent certified copies that match the names and dates on supporting documents
- Final judgment of dissolution with the court's official certification stamp
Will be rejected
- Photocopies, scans, or attorney file copies of a divorce decree
- Interim or temporary orders that do not finalize the divorce
- Damaged, laminated, or altered certified copies
- Court copies missing the clerk's signature, seal, or certification stamp
- Records older than the destination authority's accepted issuance window
Realistic timelines
Divorce Record apostille processing time.
California divorce records
- Same-day or next business day — available with in-person filing at the California Secretary of State when your case qualifies for rush.
- 1–3 business days — standard turnaround for California divorce records filed in person.
- 2–4 weeks — mail-in submission to the California Secretary of State.
Other U.S. states
- 1–6 weeks — typical out-of-state Secretary of State apostille processing.
- Add 1–4 weeks when a fresh certified court copy must be ordered from the original court.
- Add 2–6 weeks for consular legalization if the destination country is outside the Hague Apostille Convention.
Before you contact us
Have these ready for a clear apostille plan.
Divorce Record apostille checklist
- Country where the divorce record will be used
- Issuing court (or county and state of registration)
- Whether you have a fully certified court copy or vital-records certificate
- Names exactly as they appear on the decree and on supporting IDs
- Hard deadline (marriage registry, name-change filing, court date)
- Whether a certified translation will be required after apostille
Good to know
- Court copy vs. certificate: some countries require the full decree from the issuing court, others accept the shorter divorce certificate from vital records. We confirm before you order.
- Re-notarization: a properly certified court copy does not need to be notarized again — the court's certification is what the apostille attaches to.
- Translation: if a certified translation is needed, order it after the apostille is attached.
Divorce Record apostille FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Do I need a new certified divorce decree for an apostille?
In most cases yes — you need a recent certified copy issued by the court or vital-records office that finalized the divorce, not a photocopy or attorney file copy. We review a photo of what you have and confirm whether it will work or if a new copy should be ordered.
Can you apostille a divorce record from another U.S. state?
Yes. Each state apostilles its own court records, so a divorce decree from another state must be processed through that state's Secretary of State. We coordinate ordering and filing directly with the issuing state.
Do I need to notarize the decree again?
Usually no. A properly certified court copy carries the clerk's signature and seal, which is exactly what the apostille authenticates. We confirm before submission whether any additional notarization is needed.
How long does a divorce record apostille take?
California divorce records can often be apostilled in 1–3 business days with in-person filing, and same-day rush is available in most cases. Other states typically take 1–6 weeks. Non-Hague destinations requiring consular legalization will add several more weeks.
Will the apostilled divorce record be returned to me?
Yes. The apostille is attached directly to the original certified divorce record. We arrange secure return by courier, mail, or in-person pickup and confirm the return method in writing before submission.
Do I need an apostille or consular legalization?
If the destination country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is the correct authentication. For non-member countries, consular legalization is required, and we will outline the additional steps before you commit.
Other vital records