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Records and Authentications > Requesting a Vital Record as a U.S. Citizen > How to Request a Copy of a Certificate of Witness to Marriage Abroad (filed before November 9, 1989)
You should expect delays for pending and recently submitted requests to the Vital Records Office due to public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We are currently in Phase 2 of our three phase reopening plan.
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) record facility closed on December 7 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and requests that require a file search may take longer.
Phase 2: Most of our staff will return to the office. We will focus on processing cases on a first in, first out basis, prioritizing our oldest cases. Delays will continue.
Phase 3: We will adjust to our new normal for operations. As we maintain health measures to protect our staff, we expect that service delays for certain products will remain due to work practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
As a reminder, all phases are fluid and can be quickly changed due to local public health conditions.
Who may request a copy of this document:
1. Submit a notarized written request which must include all of the following information for both subjects of the marriage:
2. Submit a copy of requester’s valid photo identification (e.g. driver's license)
3. Send a $50.00 check or money order. Additional copies are $50.00 each.
4. Mail the notarized request, copy of valid ID, and payment to:
U.S. Department of State
Passport Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Cir.
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
Apostilles are specialized certificates attached to your consular documents. If you need an apostille to satisfy foreign document requirements, you must submit a notarized request and a copy of a valid state-issued ID (e.g. driver's license) to the address listed below. If you already have a consular document issued within the last five years, you don't need to pay for the apostille. In addition to the Certificate of Witness to Marriage, you can request other consular documents for $50 per copy:
You must ensure that the country for intended use is a member of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.
Please send your notarized request and fee (if necessary) to:
U.S. Department of State
Passport Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Circle
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
Check Status
To check the status of your request, call 202-485-8300 or email VitalRecordsPublicInquiries@state.gov
