Don't risk delays — incorrect or incomplete documents are the #1 cause of apostille processing setbacks.
Immigration deadlines, court filing dates, and foreign government requirements are time-sensitive. Submit your documents correctly the first time to avoid costly delays.
Who Needs a Birth Certificate Apostille?
- Immigration applicants providing identity or birth proof for USCIS, consulates, or foreign embassies
- Individuals applying for dual citizenship or a foreign passport based on ancestry
- Couples registering marriages in countries that require an apostilled birth certificate
- Parents enrolling children in international schools or transferring educational records
- Professionals seeking employment, medical licensing, or professional certification abroad
- Families involved in international adoption, custody, or guardianship proceedings
Required Documents
- State-issued certified copy of birth certificate (not a hospital or commemorative version)
- Certificate must bear the state registrar's signature, date, and official seal
- Long-form birth certificate preferred (showing parents' names, date/place of birth, file number)
- For U.S. citizens born abroad: Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) requires U.S. Department of State apostille
- Government-issued photo ID for identity verification
Common Causes of Rejection
- Hospital-issued or commemorative birth certificates cannot be apostilled — they are not official government records
- Short-form birth certificates may not be accepted by some foreign authorities — request long-form when possible
- Birth certificates from U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, USVI) may require different processing procedures
- Amended, corrected, or delayed birth certificates may need re-certification before apostille
- Photocopies are never accepted — you must submit an original certified copy from the state
Apostille vs. Notarization
A notarization only verifies a signer's identity. An apostille is a government-issued certificate that authenticates a document for international legal use in 120+ Hague Convention countries. Most foreign governments require an apostille — a notarization alone is not sufficient.
How Long Does It Really Take?
State apostilles typically take 3–10 business days. Federal documents (FBI checks) take 4–8 weeks standard. We offer expedited processing that can reduce most state apostilles to 1–3 days. Every order includes real-time status updates.
Have Your Documents Ready?
Submit your documents for apostille processing today. Our team reviews every submission to ensure it meets state and federal requirements — avoiding rejections and unnecessary delays.
Free document review included — we check your documents before processing to prevent rejections.
How the Apostille Process Works
Get a State-Issued Certified Copy
You need a certified copy of your birth certificate from the vital records office or Department of Health in your birth state. Hospital-issued or decorative certificates are never accepted for apostille.
Submit to 1Apostille for Processing
Send or upload your certified birth certificate along with the destination country and purpose. We verify the document meets apostille requirements for the issuing state.
Secretary of State Certification
We submit your birth certificate to the Secretary of State in the state that issued it. Each state has unique processing offices, timelines, and fees — we handle all of it.
Receive Your Apostilled Birth Certificate
Your apostilled birth certificate is returned via insured, tracked shipping. The apostille certificate is attached or affixed to the original certified copy per Hague Convention standards.
Before You Submit — Avoid Delays & Rejections
What We Accept
- • Original or certified copies only
- • Documents with official seals/stamps
- • Properly notarized documents
- • Government-issued vital records
- • Active, non-expired documents
Common Rejections
- • Photocopies or scans (no originals)
- • Hospital birth certificates
- • Decorative/commemorative certificates
- • Unsigned or unnotarized documents
- • Foreign-issued documents
How to Avoid Delays
- • Include destination country details
- • Verify document recency requirements
- • Use certified copies, not originals you can't replace
- • Include all pages of multi-page documents
- • Request rush processing for tight deadlines
Not sure if your document qualifies? Submit it and our team will review it for free — we'll let you know before processing.
Not sure where to start? Contact us and we'll walk you through the requirements for your specific document and destination country.
Start Apostille OrderFrequently Asked Questions
Can a hospital birth certificate be apostilled?+
How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate for apostille?+
Which states can you process birth certificate apostilles for?+
Should I get a long-form or short-form birth certificate for apostille?+
How much does it cost to apostille a birth certificate?+
Can I apostille a U.S. birth certificate for immigration purposes?+
Why Choose 1Apostille
All 50 States
Nationwide coverage — we process apostilles from every U.S. state and the federal government.
Immigration Experts
Thousands of immigration documents processed for USCIS, consulates, and foreign agencies.
Transparent Process
Real-time order tracking, upfront pricing, and clear timelines — no surprises.
Document Care
Every document is handled securely with tracking, insurance, and careful processing.
Don't Wait — Start Your Apostille Order Today
Immigration deadlines, court filings, and international requirements don't wait. Our team processes thousands of apostille orders every year — let us handle yours.