Get your birth certificate officially apostilled for marriage abroad, citizenship by descent, visa applications, or any other international purpose. Remote service — no travel required. Free document review.
Step 1 of 4
Where was your birth certificate issued?
A birth certificate apostille is the official authentication that makes your birth certificate legally valid in any of the 125+ Hague Convention member countries. Without it, foreign authorities — whether a civil registry, immigration office, or university admissions department — will not accept your birth certificate as a valid legal document.
Common situations that require an apostilled birth certificate:
Most countries require an apostilled birth certificate as part of the civil marriage documentation for foreign nationals. We prepare your certificate for use in Spain, Italy, France, Mexico, and dozens of other Hague Convention countries.
Long-term visas, permanent residency, and citizenship by descent applications routinely require an apostilled birth certificate. We ensure your certificate meets the exact format required by your destination country.
Claiming citizenship through a parent or grandparent's nationality? You will almost certainly need your birth certificate apostilled. We have extensive experience with Italian, Spanish, Irish, and other dual citizenship applications.
| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original birth certificate (long form) | Vital Records Office / Civil Registry | Varies by state/country | Must be the certified original with a raised seal or official stamp. Photocopies and informational copies are not accepted. |
| Apostille certificate | Secretary of State (US) or equivalent authority | 1–10 business days depending on jurisdiction | Must be attached to the original birth certificate. The apostille authority depends on the state that issued the certificate. |
| Certified translation (if required) | Sworn / certified translator | 1–2 business days | Required when submitting to authorities in a country with a different official language. We provide certified translations accepted internationally. |
| Copy of valid government-issued ID | Applicant | Current | Required for identity verification during the apostille request. Name must match the birth certificate exactly. |
Send us a scan of your birth certificate. We confirm it is apostillable in its current form, identify the correct apostille authority, and provide a firm quote and timeline for your destination country.
You send us your original certified birth certificate by tracked courier (or we arrange pickup). We prepare and submit the apostille request to the competent Secretary of State or national authority.
We track your submission through the apostille office and provide status updates. Processing times vary from same-day (for states with expedited services) to 10 business days for standard requests.
If a translation is required, we arrange it after the apostille is attached — so the translation covers the complete apostilled document. Final documents are returned by express tracked courier.
Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.
Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
An apostille is an official authentication certificate issued under the 1961 Hague Convention. It certifies that the issuing authority's signature and seal on your birth certificate are genuine, making the document legally recognized in all Hague member countries without further legalization.
In the United States, birth certificates are apostilled by the Secretary of State of the state where the certificate was issued. For example, a California birth certificate is apostilled by the California Secretary of State. We handle submissions to all 50 state offices.
You need a certified copy issued directly by the vital records office — not a plain photocopy or an informational copy. The apostille is attached to this certified copy. We can guide you in obtaining the correct type if you don't have one yet.
Processing times vary by state. Many states offer expedited service (1–3 business days) and standard service (5–10 business days). Some states, like California and New York, also offer in-person same-day service. We advise on the fastest option for your state and timeline.
If you are submitting to authorities in a country whose official language differs from the language of your birth certificate, a certified translation will be required. We arrange certified translations that are accepted by authorities in Spain, Italy, France, Mexico, and many other countries.
Yes. We apostille birth certificates issued in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Spain, and many other Hague Convention member countries. The apostille authority differs by country — we handle submissions to the relevant national or regional authority.
Birth certificates do not technically expire, but some countries require a recently issued certified copy (typically within the last 6 months). If a newer copy is needed, we can guide you through the process of obtaining one from the issuing vital records office.
Our apostille service for birth certificates starts at $79 (apostille only) or $139 with certified translation. Exact pricing depends on the issuing state or country and the urgency. Contact us for a firm quote with your specific details.
Message us today for a free document review and guidance.