First, make sure you have an original or a certified copy of your birth certificate and it has the official seal of the issuing authority (the State Department of Health, the Department of Vital Records, etc.). Many states require that certified copies of the vital records are issued within the past 5 years. So, if your document was issued a long time ago you will need to check with your state if you need to request a new certified copy even if you have an original in your hands. For most states, having an original or a certified copy of a birth certificate is enough to apply for an apostille. A few states, though, do require additional certification from the state. To ensure you mail us a birth certificate that meets the state requirements, we recommend first emailing us a scanned copy of your document (from both sides) for a review. Visit Our Services page for step-by-step instructions on the legalization process of your birth certificate for use in a foreign country.