Birth and death certificates are some of the most commonly apostilled documents. An apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature, seal, and position of the official who signed a public document. This allows the document to be recognized as valid in other countries that are members of the Hague Convention. Here is a comprehensive guide to getting apostilles for birth and death certificates.
What is an Apostille certification and why do you need it?
An Apostille certification is a document that certifies the authenticity of a public document. It is typically used to certify birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates, as well as educational diplomas and transcripts. In order to obtain an Apostille certification, the document must first be notarized by a public notary. Once the document has been notarized, it can then be sent to the office of the Secretary of State for Apostille certification.
The Apostille certification process ensures that public documents are genuine and can be trusted. This is especially important when dealing with international transactions or immigration matters. Without an Apostille certification, there is no way to verify the authenticity of a public document, which could lead to serious problems down the road.
Why Get an Apostille birth or death certificate?
There are several reasons you may need an apostille for a birth or death certificate, such as:
- Applying for citizenship or residency in another country
- Getting married in another country
- Settling an estate of someone who owned property abroad
- Proving lineage for inheritance claims
- Adopting a child from another country
An apostille ensures the document will be accepted as genuine by authorities in other countries. Trying to use a birth or death certificate without an apostille can cause delays or other issues.
How to authenticate or apostille a US birth Or Birth certificate?
Getting an apostille seal on your birth certificate is important if you want to use it outside the US. An apostille verifies the certificate is official and allows other countries to accept it.
To get an apostille, you first need to get an official Certified copy of your birth certificate from the State of Oregon or County Vital records you were born.
Link for the ordering vital record : https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/BirthDeathCertificates/GetVitalRecords/Pages/index.aspx
- First, get an official copy of your birth certificate from the vital records office in your birth state. Make sure it’s an original, not a hospital copy.
- Then contact the Pacsigning for apostille services.
- Fill out the form accurately with your birth details and reason for apostille. Attach a copy of your birth certificate. We can only apostille a certified copy of the birth certificate.
- There’s usually a fee to process the apostille. Check the website for current pricing and payment methods.
- Oregon apostilles are completed the same day or next day. Depending on the time and we received it.
- Out of state apostilles take about 3 to 4 weeks depending on the timeline for the State being requested.
- Once processed, they’ll attach the apostille seal and return your birth certificate by mail or request pickup.
- Before using the apostille certificate abroad, verify that the country accepts apostilles for your purpose.
What You Need to Request an Apostille
To get an apostille for a birth or death certificate, you typically need:
- The original birth or death certificate. Photocopies are not accepted.
- Payment for the apostille fee, such as a check or money order.
- A completed application form for the apostille. States have their own forms available online.
- A self-addressed and stamped envelope for the state to mail back your documents.
- Additional documents may be required, such as a photo ID, oath, or notarized letter of authorization.
Make sure all certificates and documents are certified copies that have an original stamp or raised seal. Regular photocopies cannot be apostilled.
What documents are required for the Apostille process
The first step in obtaining an Apostille is to secure the necessary documents. In most cases, this will include a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other official record. Once you have gathered the required documents, you will need to have them certified by a Notary Public. After the documents have been notarized, they can be submitted to the Apostille office for processing. The Apostille office will review the documents and issue a certification if everything is in order. In some cases, additional information may be required before the Apostille can be issued. Once the Apostille has been obtained, it can then be used to authenticate the document in another country.
Fees and turnaround times for Apostille certification
Apostille certification is a process that is often required for certain legal documents that are being used abroad. In order to get an Apostille certification, you must first submit your document to the Secretary of State in the state where the document was notarized. Once the document has been received and reviewed, a certified copy of the document will be mailed to you along with an Apostille certification. The fees for this service vary depending on the state in which the document was notarized, but generally range from $20 to $30. The turnaround time for this process is also dependent on the state, but is typically within 10 business days.
Notary Public that can help with the Apostille process
PAC signing notaries can help with the Apostille process by certifying documents that need to be sent to the Secretary of State. The PAC notary will first review the document to make sure it is complete and then will sign and stamp the document. The PAC notary can also help to prepare the cover letter that needs to be sent with the document. Once the document is apostilled, it is legal in all countries that are members of the Hague Convention. PAC signing notaries can save you time and money by helping to ensure that your documents are properly apostilled.
Conclusion:
An Apostille is an internationally recognized form of certification for documents. In order to get an Apostille for your birth or death certificate, you will need to submit certain documentation and pay a fee. The turnaround time for this process can vary, but it is typically within a few weeks. If you have any questions about the Apostille process, please contact one of the government agencies listed below for more information.