If you were born in North Carolina and need to use your U.S. birth certificate in another country — whether for dual citizenship, school enrollment, marriage abroad, or immigration — you’ll most likely need an apostille. This is a special certification that verifies the authenticity of your document so that it’s legally recognized in foreign countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Why You Need an Apostille for a Birth Certificate
A birth certificate is one of the most frequently apostilled documents in the United States. Governments and institutions abroad often require this document to confirm your identity, parentage, and place of birth. Whether you’re applying for a passport for your child overseas, registering a marriage in Mexico, Ukraine, or Russia, claiming citizenship through your parents in Italy, or enrolling in school abroad — the apostille is the international key that validates your U.S. birth certificate.
How It Works in North Carolina
In North Carolina, birth certificates are issued at the county level but must be certified by the North Carolina Secretary of State for apostille purposes. Only a certified copy from the Register of Deeds or NC Vital Records will be accepted. Photocopies or notarized versions are not eligible.
The process involves:
- Obtaining a certified copy of your birth certificate
- Submitting it to the Secretary of State’s office for authentication
- Receiving the apostille certificate attached to your document
This process ensures that your birth certificate will be officially recognized in over 100+ countries, including Spain, Colombia, Ukraine, Russia, and many others.
Common Use Cases for Apostilled Birth Certificates
- Dual Citizenship: Applying for citizenship in a parent’s country, like Italy, Ukraine, or Russia
- Marriage Abroad: Registering your U.S. birth in a foreign civil registry
- Residency or Immigration Visas: Countries may ask for proof of identity from your country of origin
- School Enrollment for Minors: Especially in international or bilingual schools
- International Inheritance and Legal Rights
Which Countries Accept Apostilles?
Any country that is a member of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention will accept your U.S. birth certificate with an apostille. This includes most of Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia. For example:
- 🇲🇽 Mexico
- 🇪🇸 Spain
- 🇨🇴 Colombia
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine
- 🇷🇺 Russia
- 🇮🇹 Italy
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- 🇫🇷 France
- 🇧🇷 Brazil
- 🇵🇪 Peru
Available in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida — and Beyond
While this guide focuses on documents issued in North Carolina, we also help clients throughout South Carolina, Florida, and major cities like New York, Chicago, and Miami — where many families from Eastern Europe rely on apostille services for birth certificates and other vital records. No matter where you live, if your document was issued in the U.S., we can help.
How to Get Started
Handling the apostille process on your own can be time-consuming and confusing — especially with state-level procedures. We assist individuals across all 50 U.S. states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and others, in obtaining apostilles quickly and correctly, with guidance every step of the way.
Learn more or request help here: https://notarypublic24.online/us-apostille/north-carolina
