What Is an Apostille for a Birth Certificate?

An apostille is an official certificate that confirms a public document is genuine. USAGov, the U.S. government's official web portal, reports that more than 120 countries recognize the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. Most people encounter the term during a visa application, an overseas marriage, or an international job offer.

What Does an Apostille Certificate Certify?

An apostille is a one-page certificate attached to a public document. A government authority issues it to confirm the document and its seal are genuine. The certificate identifies the issuing country, the signing authority, their official capacity, and an authenticating seal.

Please note: an apostille does not translate a document or verify its content. It certifies only that the signature and seal on the document are real.

Who Issues Apostilles in the United States?

Each state's Secretary of State issues apostilles for state-level vital records, including birth and death certificates. The apostille must come from the state that originally issued the birth certificate, not the state where you live now.

The U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. handles apostilles and authentications only for federal documents. These include FBI background checks, FAA certifications, and notarized documents signed by a federal official. A standard state birth certificate does not involve the federal government.

When Is an Apostille Required for a Birth Certificate?

Foreign countries and institutions set their own requirements for public documents used in official processes. Common situations that require one include:

• Applying for dual citizenship or a foreign passport
• Getting married abroad, including single status verification
• Starting a job or enrolling in school in another country
• Completing an international adoption
• Applying for a long-term visa in a Hague Convention country
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How Do You Request an Apostille for a Birth Certificate?

The process takes two steps.

Step 1: Order a certified copy of your birth certificate from the vital records office in your birth state. Please note that photocopies and hospital-issued records will not qualify. StateVitalRecords.org makes it easy to order a certified copy for all 50 states.

Step 2: Submit the certified copy to your birth state's Secretary of State office. Fees range from $5 to $20 per document. Standard mail requests take one to four weeks. Some state offices offer expedited processing in one to three business days.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid?

Wrong Document Type

Why?: Some countries require a long-form birth certificate rather than a short-form. Review our guide on long-form vs. short-form birth certificates before placing your order.

Wrong State

Why?: The apostille must come from the state that issued the birth certificate. Submitting to the wrong Secretary of State office will result in rejection.

Photocopies

Why?: Only original certified copies with an official state seal qualify. Uncertified copies will be rejected.

Outdated Documents

Why?: Some countries require birth certificates issued within the last six to twelve months. Verify the destination country's requirements before placing your order.

Non-Hague destination

Why?: Countries outside the Hague Convention do not accept apostilles. You will need a separate authentication process through the U.S. Department of State and the destination country's embassy.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does an apostille for a birth certificate expire? 
  • The apostille itself does not expire. Some countries require the underlying vital record to have been issued within the last six to twelve months.
• How long does it take to obtain one? 
  • Processing time varies by state. Some Secretary of State offices offer expedited service in one to three business days. Standard mail requests take one to four weeks.
• What happens if the destination country is not a Hague Convention member? 
  • You will need authentication and legalization instead. This process involves the state, the U.S. Department of State, and the destination country's embassy.
• Can you request one if your name has changed since birth? 
  • Yes. You may also need a marriage certificate or court order connecting your birth name to your current legal name.
• Do you need a long-form or short-form birth certificate? 
  • It depends on the receiving country. Check the state website and the destination country's specific requirements before ordering.
• Can you obtain an apostille for a birth certificate issued in another country? 
  • No. The U.S. Secretary of State issues apostilles only for U.S. public documents. Foreign birth certificates require authentication through that country's own authorities.

Next Steps for Getting Your Apostille

Two things are required to obtain an apostille: a certified copy of your vital record and a submission to your state's Secretary of State office. StateVitalRecords.org processes birth certificate orders for all 50 states, so you can begin without visiting a vital records office in person.

This post was written by the StateVitalRecords.org team.