BIRTH CERTIFICATES
Birth Certificate Apostille, Ordered and Handled for You
A birth certificate is the document people most often need apostilled, for dual citizenship, marriage abroad, residency or registering a child. We get the right certified copy, apostille it through the right state, arrange translation and ship it wherever it needs to go.
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BIRTH CERTIFICATES
The right copy, apostilled
Massachusetts and all 50 states.
- Certified copies ordered for you
- Long-form versions when required
- Apostille or embassy legalization
- Certified translation available
How a Massachusetts birth certificate gets apostilled
What we handle
- Ordering certified Massachusetts birth certificates
- Long-form versions showing parents' names
- Apostilles from the Secretary of the Commonwealth
- Birth certificates from other states
- Embassy legalization for non-Hague countries
- Certified translation
Some birth records are restricted to the person named or close family. We'll tell you what's needed.
How it works
- 1
Tell us the country and purpose
We confirm which version of your birth certificate is needed.
- 2
We get the certified copy
From the city or town clerk or the state registry, or we check the one you have.
- 3
Apostille or legalization
From the Secretary of the Commonwealth, or the state that issued it.
- 4
Translate and ship
Certified translation if needed, then tracked delivery.
Mistakes that get birth certificate apostilles rejected
- A photocopy or a hospital souvenir certificate. Only a certified copy from the official records office can be apostilled.
- A short-form or abstract certificate when the country wants the long form. Many countries want parents' names shown.
- A certificate from another state sent to Massachusetts. Each state apostilles its own records.
- A very old certified copy. Some countries want recently issued copies, and some older signatures can be hard to authenticate.
- A notarized copy. Notaries can't certify copies of birth certificates. You need a certified copy from the issuing office.
Why people need an apostilled birth certificate
Dual citizenship
Proving descent from a parent or grandparent. See Citizenship by Descent.
Marriage abroad
Most countries ask for one. See Single Status Affidavit.
Residency and visas
For you and family members moving with you.
Registering a child abroad
So a child born here is recorded in a parent's home country.
Inheritance
Proving family relationships for an estate abroad.
Adoption
Birth records for international adoption files.
Birth certificates from other states
- New York has extra steps, especially for New York City records. See New York Apostille.
- New Hampshire requires a special notarized copy. See New Hampshire Apostille.
- Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine and Vermont each have their own process. See U.S. State Apostilles.
- We coordinate birth certificates from all 50 states.
Official sources
- Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: apostille and certification information
- Hague Conference: list of Apostille Convention countries
Requirements change, and the receiving country has the final word.
Long form or short form?
Long form
Shows parents' names and more details. Usually required for citizenship, marriage and residency abroad.
Short form or abstract
Shows basic details only. Often not accepted abroad.
Amended certificates
Issued after a name change, adoption or correction. Usually acceptable if certified by the issuing office.
Our advice
When in doubt, order the long form. We'll check what your country needs.
What we need from you
Getting your birth certificate apostilled, step by step
1. Confirm what the country wants
Long form or short form, how recent the copy must be, and whether a translation is required.
2. Get a certified copy
From the city or town clerk where you were born, or the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. We can order it for you.
3. Check it before filing
We make sure the certificate is a certified copy with an official signature and seal, in a form the state will apostille.
4. Apostille
Filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth for Massachusetts records, or the issuing state for others.
5. Embassy legalization, if needed
For countries outside the Hague Convention, through our DC Satellite Office.
6. Translate and ship
Certified translation if required, then tracked delivery to you or directly abroad.
Country notes
Italy
Long-form records are usually expected for citizenship and marriage. See Apostille for Italy.
Spain and Portugal
Often requested for marriage, residency and family reunification. See Spain and Portugal.
Brazil, Cape Verde and Portugal
Usually followed by a Portuguese translation. See Brazil and Cape Verde.
Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Colombia
Usually followed by a Spanish translation. See Mexico, Dominican Republic and Colombia.
Germany and Greece
Often require translation by a translator approved in that country. See Germany and Greece.
Haiti, the UAE and other non-Hague countries
Need embassy legalization instead of an apostille. See Haiti and Embassy Legalization.
Special situations
Who can order a Massachusetts birth certificate?
- The person named on the certificate
- A parent named on the certificate
- A legal guardian or authorized representative, with documentation
- Some records are restricted to these people only. We'll tell you what's needed for yours.
Rules can differ for older records and for records from other states.
How long it takes
Certified copy, notarized copy or apostille: what's the difference?
Certified copy
Issued by the city or town clerk or the state registry, with an official signature and seal. This is the version that can be apostilled.
Notarized copy
A notary can't certify a copy of a birth certificate, so this isn't an option for vital records.
Apostille
A certificate from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, attached to your certified copy, confirming the official's signature for use abroad.
Legalization
A chain of certifications for countries outside the Hague Convention, ending at that country's embassy or consulate.
Where Massachusetts birth certificates come from
What the finished document looks like
Before you order, ask the receiving office
- Do you need the long form or the short form?
- How recently must the certificate be issued?
- Do you need an apostille, or embassy legalization?
- Do you need a translation, and who must prepare it?
- Should the original be mailed to you, or brought to an appointment?
Getting these answers first means you only order and apostille once.
Born in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico birth certificates are apostilled by Puerto Rico, not Massachusetts.
Frequently asked questions
Can you apostille the birth certificate I already have?
If it's a certified copy from the issuing office, often yes. Send us a photo and we'll check.
Can a notary certify a copy of my birth certificate?
No. Only the issuing office can certify a copy of a birth certificate.
Do you order birth certificates for people outside Massachusetts?
Yes. Clients mail us requests from across the U.S. and abroad.
How long does it take?
Massachusetts apostilles are often quick once we have the certified copy. Ordering the record adds time, depending on the office.
Can you translate my birth certificate?
Yes. We arrange certified translation after the apostille, so the translation covers both.
Can you apostille an amended birth certificate?
Usually, if it's a certified copy from the issuing office. Tell us about the amendment so we can check.
Can you apostille a birth certificate for a non-Hague country?
Yes, through embassy legalization instead. See Embassy Legalization.
Can you order several certified copies at once?
Yes. Families often order extra copies for siblings or for several countries.
My birth certificate is very old. Will it work?
Sometimes, but many countries want a recently issued copy, and older signatures can be harder to authenticate. A new certified copy is usually the safer choice.
Can I get a birth certificate apostilled for my child?
Yes. Parents named on the certificate can order and apostille it.
Do you apostille birth certificates for use in the U.S.?
No. Apostilles are only for documents going to another country.
Can you send the apostilled certificate directly to a consulate or abroad?
Yes, with tracking.
What if my birth was in New York City?
NYC records need a Letter of Exemplification before the apostille. See New York Apostille.
Can I laminate my apostilled birth certificate?
No. Laminating, unstapling or altering the document can make it unacceptable abroad.
Does an apostille expire?
The apostille itself doesn't expire, but many countries want the birth certificate to be recently issued. Check the receiving office's rules.
Can you apostille birth certificates for my whole family?
Yes. We can order and apostille certificates for everyone at once, which is common for citizenship and family moves.
Do I need to come to your office?
No. We can handle everything by email and mail, or come to you if a notarized document is also needed.
Can you help if I was adopted?
Yes. Amended birth certificates issued after an adoption can usually be apostilled as certified copies. Some countries also ask for the adoption decree, which we can retrieve and apostille.
Do you work with genealogists and citizenship services?
Yes. We order and apostille birth certificates for genealogists, attorneys and citizenship services handling family files.
Need a birth certificate apostilled?
Tell us the country, and we'll handle the rest.