What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is a certificate issued by a state's Secretary of State that authenticates a public document for international use. If you need your birth certificate recognized in another country — for immigration, marriage, employment, or education — you need an apostille.
The apostille system was established by the Hague Convention of 1961. Today, 125+ countries accept apostilled documents.
When USCIS Requires an Apostilled Birth Certificate
USCIS may require an apostilled birth certificate for:
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Get a Certified Copy
Obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate from the vital records office in the state where you were born. This typically costs $10-30.
Step 2: Notarize the Document
Some states require notarization before apostille. With ClosingIQ, you can notarize online with a live notary on video — available 24/7, no appointment needed.
Step 3: Submit for Apostille
Submit the notarized document to the Secretary of State. Each state has its own office, fees, and processing times.
State fees range from $2 to $40. Processing takes 5-7 business days standard, or 24 hours rush.
Step 4: E-Apostille (8 States)
Eight states now offer fully digital e-apostille — no physical document needed:
In these states, you upload the notarized PDF online and receive a digitally signed apostille back.
Step 5: Translate (If Needed)
If your birth certificate is in a language other than English, you'll need a certified translation. ClosingIQ translates 189 languages with certified accuracy accepted by USCIS.
Step 6: Ship Internationally
If the apostilled document needs to go to another country, ClosingIQ handles FedEx shipping to 125+ countries.