How to obtain apostille certificates for marriage, birth, and death certificates?

An apostille certificate is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries participating in the Hague Convention of 1961. It is a simplified method of legalizing documents for international use and is recognized by all convention member countries.

Obtaining an apostille certificate for a marriage, birth, or death certificate typically involves the following steps:

1. Obtain the original document: You will need to first obtain the original marriage, birth, or death certificate from the issuing authority, such as the county clerk or the vital records office.
2. Submit the document to the appropriate authority: In the United States, the appropriate authority will typically be the Secretary of State. It needs to be submitted to the same Secretary of State where the original vital record was issued.  In other countries, it may be the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a similar government department. If born outside of the USA and you are a US citizen you need to obtain a birth certificate abroad from State Department.
3. Pay the required fee: Most countries will require a fee to be paid for the issuance of an apostille certificate, including the return envelope and appropriate form downloaded from the appropriate Secretary of State. The fee will vary depending on the country and the type of document.
4. Receive the apostille certificate: Once the document has been submitted and the fee has been paid, the apostille certificate will be issued and sent to you.

It's important to note that the process of obtaining an apostille certificate can vary from country to country and even from state to state. It's best to check the specific requirements of the country where the document will be used and to contact the appropriate authority for guidance if you have any questions.

It's important to note that the process of obtaining an apostille certificate can vary from country to country and even from state to state. It's best to check the specific requirements of the country where the document will be used and to contact the appropriate authority for guidance if you have any questions.