What Is an Apostille — and Why LGBTQ+ Couples Should Have One

If you’ve ever applied for dual citizenship, moved abroad, or dealt with international legal paperwork, you may have come across a strange word: apostille. It sounds complicated, but really it’s just an extra layer of certification that makes certain U.S. documents official and usable in other countries.

So, why should LGBTQ+ people, especially couples, care about apostilles? Let’s walk through it.

Why Apostilles Matter

Most of us keep copies of important documents like birth certificates and marriage licenses tucked away for emergencies. But here’s the thing: if you ever need those documents recognized outside the United States, you’ll need them apostilled.

This matters more for LGBTQ+ couples than many realize. Whether it’s travel, adoption, immigration, or simply proving your marriage in another country, having your documents ready with an apostille can prevent stress down the road.

And with natural disasters, emergencies, or sudden legal changes always a possibility, having an apostilled set of documents stored safely (alongside the originals) is one way to protect your family.

What Exactly Is an Apostille?

In the U.S., a birth certificate or marriage license is considered official if it bears the seal and signature of the issuing office — usually at the county level. That works fine domestically.

But internationally, another country can’t always verify whether that county clerk or notary was truly authorized. That’s where the apostille comes in.

• An apostille is issued by the Secretary of State (at the state level) for documents created in that state.
• It certifies that the signature and seal on your document are authentic and recognized.
• For federal records (like naturalization certificates), apostilles are issued by the U.S. Department of State.

Think of it like a global notary stamp.

How to Get an Apostille

The process is simpler than it sounds:

1. Order an official copy of your birth certificate and marriage certificate (or license) from the issuing county.
2. Send them to the Secretary of State’s office in the state where they were issued, along with an apostille request form and payment.
3. Wait for processing — the state verifies the official’s signature and attaches a stapled apostille certificate. Important: don’t remove the staple; that invalidates the document.

Most states recommend documents be issued within the last two years, since signatures on older records may not be easy to verify. Texas has a 5 year limit, but they reserve the right to deny the request if they can’t identify the signer of the document.

A Personal Example

When I was applying for Italian citizenship, I had to apostille several family records. One document — my parents’ marriage license — almost got rejected because the state couldn’t find the clerk who signed it. Luckily, I was standing at the counter in person, and the staff called the county office to confirm. She said If I had mailed the request, it likely would’ve been denied because the processors usually don’t have time to stop and call the local counties.

That experience taught me a valuable lesson: don’t wait until the last minute. Apostilles can take time, and you never know when you’ll need them.

Takeaway for LGBTQ+ Couples

Here’s the bottom line:

• Have current official copies of each partner’s birth certificate with an apostille.
• Have your marriage certificate ready and apostilled.
• Store them safely in a fireproof/waterproof box, or digitally if possible.

It’s one of those “hope you never need it, but you’ll be glad you have it” situations.

For LGBTQ+ families, especially, where recognition of relationships and parentage can vary internationally, an apostille is more than a stamp — it’s peace of mind.