You may need to apostille your birth certificate if you plan to use it for official purposes in another country who is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. An apostille is a form of authentication that certifies the document as a true and accurate copy, and confirms that it is acceptable for use in a foreign country.
For example, you may need an apostilled birth certificate if you are:
- Applying for a visa or residency in another country
- Enrolling in a foreign school or university
- Getting married or seeking legal recognition of a relationship in another country
- Participating in legal proceedings in another country
- Proving your identity or age for various purposes, such as opening a bank account or applying for a driver’s license.
An apostille on your birth certificate helps to ensure that the document will be recognized and accepted by foreign authorities, and can save you time and hassle by avoiding potential delays or rejections due to lack of authentication.
How to apostille my birth certificate?
To obtain an apostille for your birth certificate, you need to follow these steps:
- Obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate from the issuing authority, such as the vital records office in the state or country where you were born. In the United States, we recommend that you contact the County Clerk’s office or State Registrar.
- Check the requirements of the country where the birth certificate will be used to make sure it meets their criteria for an apostille. For example, in the state of California, a birth certificate issued from the Health Department will require the County Clerk to authenticate the Doctor’s signature.
- Contact the appropriate authority to obtain the apostille. In the United States, this is typically the Secretary of State in the state where the birth certificate was issued. For example, if the birth certificate originates from California, you will need a California apostille.
- Provide the certified copy of your birth certificate and any required fee or documentation to the appropriate authority. Please contact our office so we can email you the instructions and order forms.
- Wait for the apostille to be processed, which can take several days or weeks depending on the authority. The estimated processing time can be found here: Apostille Processing Time
- Once the apostille is processed, the state will attach it to your birth certificate, certifying that the document is authentic and can be recognized in the country where it will be used.
Obtaining an apostille can be complicated and time-consuming. Don’t leave this process to untrained employees or non-professionals who do not fully understand the Apostille process and the unique requirements of certain countries. Your paperwork could be rejected costing you time and money. Don’t let this happen to you!
Click to download our International Apostille Order Form. Our Apostille service is fast, convenient, and saves you time and money.
