Have a Copy of a NY Birth Certificate and Need an Apostille? Follow three easy steps:   Determine if you need an Apostille or Embassy Seal   Check if your document is acceptable (see Legalization Requirements below), or send your document for a free evaluation   Download the Order Form and send your document to us

Apostille   $125   ORDER FORM Birth Certificates issued by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene with Letters of Exemplification and Birth Certificates issued by NYS Department of Health and signed by Director of Vital Statistics (Processing: 2 bus. days) Birth Certificates signed by local Registrars (Processing: 5-7 bus. days)

• Short Form Birth Certificates are not acceptable

• Long form Birth Certficates are not acceptable without Letters of Exemplification

• View acceptable form of Birth Certificate with Exemplification Letter

• For births registered outside New York City:
  

• Certified copies that bear the signature of Director of Vital Records of New York State Department of Health are acceptable. View acceptable Birth Certificate.
• Current certified copies signed by Local Registrars are acceptable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Birth Certificates for Foreign Use:

• What is a long form Birth Certificate?
  

Long forms, also known as certified photocopies, book copies, and photostat copies, are exact photocopies of the original birth record that was prepared by the hospital or attending physician at the time of the child's birth. The long form usually includes parents' information (address of residence, race, birth place, date of birth, etc.), additional information on the child's birthplace, and information on the doctors that assisted in the birth of the child. The long form also usually includes the signature of the doctor involved and at least one of the parents.

• What is a short form Birth Certificate?

Short forms, known sometimes as computer certifications, are not universally available, but are cheaper than photocopies and much more easily accessible. Limited information is taken from the original birth record (the long form) and stored in a database that can be accessed quickly when birth certificates are needed in a short amount of time. Whereas the long form is a copy of the actual birth certificate, a short form is a document that certifies the existence of such certificate, and is usually titled a "Certification of Birth" or "Certificate of Birth Registration". The short form typically includes the child's name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth, although some also include the names of the child's parents. When the certification does include the names of the parents, it can be used in lieu of a long form birth certificate in almost all circumstances. Nearly all states in the U.S. issue short forms certifications, on both state and local levels

• Is a short form Birth Certificate acceptable for legalization for foreign use?
  

No, short forms are not acceptable.

• How do I obtain an Apostille for my New York Birth Certificate?

Make sure your document is acceptable for legalization, then complete the Order form, and send your document to Foreign Documents Express. We will get an Apostille for your Birth Gertificate.

• Why are some Birth Certificates issued by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and some - by New York State Department of Health?

If the birth was registered within five boroughs of New York City (Bronx, Kings, Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens), the information of the birth registration is filed with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. If the birth was registered in any other county, the Birth Certificate should be obtained from the NYS Department of Health or from the local Registrar.

• What is a certified copy of Birth Certificate?

A certified copy is a document issued by Vital Records Office and guaranteed to be a true and exact copy of the original document kept on file in this agency. Only certified copies of Birth Certificates are acceptable for legalization.