Birth Certificate
Official civil registry document recording a person's birth. Foundational for immigration, citizenship, and family applications.
What is a Birth Certificate?
A birth certificate is issued by the civil registry of the country where the birth occurred. It establishes legal identity and is required for most major international document processes: passport applications, dual citizenship, family reunification, name changes, inheritance, and marriage registration abroad. Whether the original must be apostilled depends on the receiving authority: qualifying birth certificates issued in one EU country and presented in another are exempt from apostille under Regulation (EU) 2016/1191, and a multilingual standard form may avoid translation; for other destinations an apostille is typically required, often with a translation.
Common uses internationally
Most countries require apostilled birth certificates from your country of origin as part of citizenship by descent or naturalization applications.
For spouse, child, or parent reunification applications, check the receiving consulate's rules: many ask for an apostilled birth certificate to verify family relationships, and qualifying EU-to-EU birth certificates are exempt under Regulation (EU) 2016/1191.
Most countries require an apostilled birth certificate from both partners when registering a marriage between foreign nationals.
Foreign students frequently need an apostilled birth certificate to enroll in schools or universities abroad.
Can this document be apostilled or legalized?
Apostille or legalisation requirements depend on the issuing and receiving countries, the document and the procedure. Covered public documents circulated between EU Member States are exempt from apostille under Regulation 2016/1191; other cases need a destination-specific check.
Birth certificates can be apostilled in Hague Convention member States where the Convention is in force for that origin; exemptions may apply for covered EU documents. The apostille must be placed on the certified copy issued by the civil registry — not on a photocopy.
See apostille services →When the destination country is not a Hague Convention member, the same document requires full consular legalization instead of apostille.
See legalization services →Who issues this document?
Civil Registry (Registro Civil) of the city/state of birth. For older documents, some countries require re-issuance of a certified copy before apostilling.
Requirements at a glance
Common mistakes to avoid
- Presenting a copy the issuing registry or the recipient will not accept — confirm the acceptable form with both offices before starting.
- Not checking whether a new certified copy must be issued before apostilling — re-issuance is a separate stage with its own queue and timeline.
- Apostilling without a translation when the receiving country requires it — the apostille alone is not enough.
Countries where this document is commonly processed
Relevant services
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the original birth certificate or can I use a photocopy?
You need a certified copy issued by the civil registry — not a photocopy or scan. The apostille is placed on this certified copy. If you only have the original book copy or an old extract, we can help you obtain a new certified copy.
My birth certificate is from a small town with no digital records. Can it still be apostilled?
Yes, but the process is often longer. We work with local registries to obtain a properly certified copy first, then proceed with the apostille. Timeline depends on the registry's current queue and your destination's checklist — we confirm both before starting.
Does the birth certificate need to include the parents' names?
Most countries require birth certificates that include the full names of both parents. If your older certificate lacks this, some registries can issue a complete version. We check requirements for your destination before starting.
Reviewed by
Sofía RodríguezApostille Specialist
Expert in educational document certification and background checks for Latin America and Spain.
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