You may be required to authenticate your birth certificate when traveling to another country for business or pleasure.
When you must present your paperwork to another country, you are also required to present a certificate of authentication that verifies the signature and seals on the birth certificate.
There are two types of validation:
- An apostille
- Embassy legalization
The Hague Convention of 1961 established a uniform process of confirming the authenticity of documents. Countries belonging to this convention accept the apostille, while non-member countries only accept legalized documents that are processed through the Embassy or Consulate.
For example: Italy, France, and Costa Rica all accept an apostille to prove the authenticity of a document. While China, Thailand, and the UAE all require embassy legalization.
Did you know… the word apostille is French for ‘certificate’
Don’t worry if you are unsure which verification your destination country requires; we are here to assist you. As experts in apostille services, we know which type of authentication is needed. We have worked with nearly every country in the world and can help you properly apostille your birth certificate.