Birth certificate apostille
Certified birth certificates used for immigration, dual citizenship, marriage abroad, school enrollment, or other family and legal matters in another country.
Vital record apostille
Apostille Help for Birth, Marriage, Death & Divorce Records.
We help you turn U.S. birth, marriage, death, and divorce records into documents that foreign authorities can accept — starting with the right certified copies, issuing office, and apostille route.
Fastest start: text us a photo of the certificate, the issuing state, the destination country, and your deadline. If you are outside our mobile area, you can begin a mail‑in apostille order completely online.
- Birth, marriage, death & divorce records
- California and out‑of‑state certificates
- Mail‑in orders across California
Document pre‑review
We confirm the right certified copy, issuing office, and apostille path before you ship anything.
State & federal paths
California Secretary of State, other U.S. states, and federal steps when a consular chain is required.
Mail‑in welcome
Start online from anywhere in California and receive your apostilled records back by secure courier.
Vital record types
Pick the vital record that matches your situation.
Start with the specific vital record you need to use abroad. Each guide explains which certificates qualify, how to order the right copies, and how we move them through the apostille process.
Marriage certificate apostille
Certified marriage certificates for spousal visas, recognition of marriage abroad, updating foreign IDs, or pension and benefits matters outside the U.S.
Death certificate apostille
Certified death certificates used for estates, inheritance, pension claims, insurance, or transferring property in another country.
Divorce decree & record apostille
Divorce decrees, judgments, and related records used for remarriage abroad, name changes, or other family law matters outside the United States.
When you need this
Common reasons people apostille vital records.
Most vital record apostille orders come from a handful of situations. Knowing where your document is going helps us choose the right copy, state, and path.
Immigration & visas
Birth and marriage certificates requested for family-based immigration, residency, or citizenship in another country.
Marriage & family law
Marriage, birth, and divorce records requested for weddings abroad, name changes, custody, or adoption matters.
Estates & inheritance
Death certificates and supporting records used to settle estates, pensions, insurance, and property in another country.
Records issued in another state
Birth, marriage, or death records issued outside California that still need to move through the correct Secretary of State or office for apostille.
Process
How a vital record apostille order works with us.
The steps are similar whether you are dealing with a California birth certificate or an out‑of‑state death certificate. We focus on getting the format right first, so the apostille office can say “yes” the first time.
Step 1 — Share the record and destination country
- Text or email a photo of the certificate and any consulate, court, or attorney instructions.
- We confirm whether the document is a certified copy, who issued it, and which state or federal office is responsible.
Step 2 — Confirm the right certified copy
- We flag when the record is too old, missing security features, or issued by the wrong office.
- We guide you through ordering new long‑form or amended certificates when a replacement is safer.
Step 3 — Submit for apostille
- We prepare the apostille application, fees, and return instructions for the appropriate Secretary of State or other office.
- For non‑Hague countries, we can coordinate follow‑on state authentication and consular steps where needed.
- When a foreign court, embassy, or estate deadline is imminent, same-day apostille service in Los Angeles is available for most California vital records.
Step 4 — Return delivery
- Apostilles are attached to the certified record and returned by secure mail, courier, or pickup.
- You receive clear instructions for presenting the apostilled record abroad so it is recognized properly.
Before you send anything
Quick checklist for vital records.
A few details on the front end prevent most delays and rejections. We walk through this list with you when you call or text.
- Confirm whether the record was issued in California or another U.S. state.
- Check that the certificate is a certified copy with seals, signatures, or security features (not a plain photocopy).
- Note the destination country and whether it is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
- Gather any related documents your attorney, consulate, or court requested.
- Know your deadline so we can recommend standard versus rush routes.
- Decide whether we should return the apostilled record to you, a lawyer, or a foreign office.
Vital records FAQ
Questions about vital record apostilles.
Do I have to order new vital records, or can I use what I already have?
Sometimes older certified copies are acceptable, but many destinations prefer recent, long‑form records with updated security features. We review a photo of what you have and tell you if a new copy is recommended before apostille.
Can you help if my record was issued in another state?
Yes. We regularly help clients in Los Angeles with vital records issued in other states. Each state apostilles its own records, so we help you order certified copies from the right office and route them correctly.
What if I am already outside the United States?
Many clients are overseas when they realize they need a U.S. birth, marriage, death, or divorce record apostilled. We coordinate with you and, when possible, with your representative here to obtain certified copies and handle apostille steps on your behalf.
How do I know if I need an apostille or consular legalization?
Hague countries usually accept a state or federal apostille. Non‑Hague destinations often require a state authentication and consular legalization chain. We confirm the correct path for your country before you send any originals.