An apostille is a form of authentication for a legal document, such as a birth certificate, that allows it to be recognized in another country who is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. To obtain an apostille for your birth certificate, you need to follow these steps:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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
6. 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 for your birth certificate 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!

Our staff is available Monday-Saturday from 9am to 6pm to answer your questions and provide you easy to follow-step-by-step instructions.  Please call us at 1-800-850-3441.

Click on the download image to your left to get started. Our apostille service is fast, convenient, and saves you time and money.

Do you need to apostille your Birth Certificate?

If you’re planning to get married, obtain dual-citizenship, move, work, or conduct business in a foreign country who is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you will be asked to obtain an apostille on your birth certificate. The apostille is a certificate issued by the state that authenticates the official who has signed your birth certificate so it will be accepted in another country.

We can apostille birth certificates issued from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.  For countries who are non-members of the Hague Apostille Convention, we can also process your birth certificate through the U.S. Department of State and the Embassy or Consulate office.

In order to apostille your birth certificate, you must mail in the original or a certified copy issued by the County Clerk or State Registrar to our office for processing.  Birth certificates can only be authenticated from the State of origin.  The Secretary of State does not have the authority to authenticate birth certificates issued from another state.  For example, a California birth certificate cannot be processed in New York.  A California birth certificate can only receive a California apostille.

Not every birth certificate qualifies for an apostille.  We recommend that you mail in the certificate you currently have for review before ordering a new one.  If the State rejects your document, we will contact you with instructions.

Please Note: We can only help you with documents originating from or notarized within the United States and for another country. If your birth certificate is originating from another country, you will need to contact the correct competent authority to assist you in that country.

Obtaining an apostille can be complicated. 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!

Our staff is available Monday-Saturday from 9am to 6pm to answer your questions and provide you easy to follow-step-by-step instructions.  Please call us at 1-800-850-3441.

Click on the download image to your left to get started. Our apostille service is fast, convenient, and saves you time and money.