Apostilling a Birth Certificate
The first step is to order a new copy of your birth certificate from the state that originally issued it. While it’s not strictly necessary, most countries do not return the original document after they use it. Most countries also require that the certified copy of your birth certificate was issued within a certain time period, ordering a new copy is the best way to make sure you are within that timeframe during your document gathering process.
Next, make sure you have a certified copy. This step can be skipped if you ordered a new copy as any new copy is genuine. If you’re grabbing an older copy of the birth certificate make sure it isn’t a photocopy but rather a genuine certified copy. You can consult the table below for common signs that a birth certificate is a photocopy rather than a certified copy.
| Certified Copy | Photocopy |
|---|---|
| Full Color | Black & White |
| Double-Sided | One-Sided |
| Cloth-like Paper | Standard Paper |
| Raised Seals/Embossing | No Raised Textures |
| Cut to Size | Crooked or large borders |
Finally, after confirming your birth certificate is eligible for an apostille and confirming the document requirements of your destination country, check out at the Build-A-Cart and mail your birth certificate to us at:
Apostille50
PO BOX 160
Germantown, MD 20875
Which State Apostilles My Birth Certificate?
Your birth certificate must be apostilled by the Secretary of State in the state where it was issued — not necessarily where you currently live.
The website for each secretary of state can be found at that state’s page under the Apostille section
Document Requirements
[YOUR CONTENT — certified copy vs. photocopy, raised seal, vital records office, recency requirements if any]
How to Order
Add your issuing state and destination country on the Build-A-Cart page. Learn more about the state apostille process in general.
