Birth Certificate: Certified, Notarized Copy, Translation, Apostille. How to Get It in the US

How to get a birth certificate?

A birth certificate is a fundamental legal document that accompanies a person during every stage of his/her life up until he/she becomes an adult and, in some cases, even beyond that.

If you are a US citizen, you should know that obtaining a birth certificate in the US can turn into a difficult undertaking as different states have established different procedures. This might be especially confusing for foreigners who have come to live in the US only recently.

A certified birth certificate is required in virtually all aspects of one’s life in the US including:

● obtaining a US passport;

● applying for the government social benefits system;

● obtaining a driver’s license;

● entering the military and much more.

Note that apart from an original birth certificate you are going to need its certified copy. The latter is a government-issued legal document that guarantees all levels of authentication. More on that below.

How to get a certified copy of a birth certificate?

Oftentimes, just a copy of your birth certificate is not deemed sufficient by various authorities who might require you to provide a certified birth certificate. You will also need a certified copy if you cannot locate the original for some reason.

A certified birth certificate should include your state’s official seal, the signature of the registrar and the date it was issued. Depending on the state, it can also list a variety of other information like your personal data and information about your parents.

Remember that a certified birth certificate is one of the essential documents that would allow you to prove your US citizenship (a so-called “vital record”) so do not address this matter carelessly.

To get your birth certificate, contact the Vital Records Department in your state. Do not request an abstract copy of the birth certificate as it will lack an important information required by many authorities when a person is applying for social benefits or checking in at the airports. Also, note that Vital Records Departments in different states have different procedures and fees associated with requesting a certified copy of a birth certificate.

Foreigners giving birth to a baby in the US can fill out the necessary forms right in the hospital. Remember, however, that different states have different procedures as to how these documents are further processed. For example, hospitals in California redirect these forms to county and state officials on the own, while other states will require parents to take care of this on their own within an established deadline.

Be mindful enough to find these things out in advance. Also, if you are filling out the forms in the hospital, make sure to choose the name for the newborn baby beforehand.

Located in NYC, we are perfectly familiar with the process of getting a certified or notarized copy of a birth certificate. We have helped hundreds of US citizens as well as citizens of foreign countries like China, Brazil, Mexico and Russia to name a few get their birth certificates and, if needed, translate them into a variety of languages: Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, etc. Full support for non-NY city dwellers also guaranteed.

How to translate and apostille a birth certificate in order to use it abroad

If you intend to use a birth certificate in a foreign country, you will have to ensure it undergoes additional forms of authentication and legalization. In particular, an apostille would be needed if you are going to use this document in a country that joined the 1961 Hague Convention. Of course, you can only submit a certified copy of the birth certificate to be apostilled.

Birth certificates can only be apostilled by the states that issued them. This means that if a person was born in Vermont, only the Vermont Secretary of State can apostille it.

If the country in question is not a member of the Hague Convention, you will have to undergo several other stages to authenticate your birth certificate. Usually, this requires contacting the US Department of State in Washington and the Embassy or Consulate of the country in question in the US.

As you can imagine, this can be time-consuming and complicated. Do not cast your paperwork aside as it will cost you a lot more time and money. Having extensive experience in dealing with the birth certificates, we can handle these matters professionally for you.

Birth abroad certificate

US citizens giving birth to children abroad should contact the local US Embassy or Consulate to request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for their newborn children. This document is also referred to as a Form FS-240.

Like a US birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad is a proof of US citizenship and can be used for a variety of purposes, for example to obtain a US passport or driver’s license. The US Embassy or Consulate provides applicants only with one original copy of a CRBA.

Confused with all the intricacies of obtaining a birth certificate and its certified copy? Contact us to get professional assistance!

Birth certificate, Notarized Copy, Translation, Apostille. How to Get It in the US

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