U.S. birth certificate with an apostille

If you are looking to obtain a U.S. birth certificate with an apostille, follow these step-by-step instructions.While the exact process may vary slightly by state, the overall procedure is generally consistent across the country.

✅ Step 1: Get a Certified Copy of the Birth Certificate

You need a certified (long-form) copy from the vital records office in the state where the person was born. Visit the official state vital records website or use the Authorized Online Vendor service like VitalChek   to get a certified (long-term) copy. Whether submitting your request online or in person, be sure to select “Apostille/Authentication” as the reason for your request to ensure proper processing.
If you need more details on how to get a copy of birth certificate, please click here .

✅ Step 2: Have the document certified by the County Clerk.

Many states require that certain documents (especially notarized ones) be certified by the County Clerk before they can be submitted for an apostille or state-level authentication.

For New York City, bring your certificate and the Letter of Exemplification to:
County Clerk Office
60 Centre Street, Room 141B, New York, NY 10007
Cost: $3.00

✅ Step 3: Get the Apostille for the Birth Certificate

An apostille is issued by the Secretary of State of the same state that issued the birth certificate.

Example: If the birth certificate was issued in New York, you must request the apostille from the New York Secretary of State.

Each state has its own procedures, but generally, you must:

• • Complete an apostille request form (available on the state’s Secretary of State website)
  • Submit the certified birth certificate
  • Include a self-addressed stamped envelope (for return mailing)
  • Pay the applicable processing fee (usually $10 per document).
  • Provide a clear statement that the apostille is for use in a country that is a member of the Hague Convention (for instance Albania is a member of the Hague Convention)

These documents can be submitted by mail or in person depending on the state.

There is a centralized resource to help you identify the appropriate authority for obtaining an apostille or authentication certificate for U.S. documents. Please click here and then select the state or territory that you need to contact for apostille/document authentication assistance .

New York State Department of State Division of Licensing Services,
123 William Street, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10038
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Phone: (518) 474-4429

In case you will submit the application in person you might need an appointment.
For detailed information and to schedule an appointment, visit New York Department of State: Apostille or Certificate of Authentication.