top of page
Writer's pictureJared Leiman

Apostille Your Alabama Birth Certificate

Updated: Jul 20

For overseas usage, Apostille and Exemplified copies of vital records are frequently necessary. An Alabama birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificate certified by the State Registrar plus an extra certification signed by the Alabama Secretary of State make up the Apostille and Exemplified copy. Apostille and Exemplified copies of birth and death certificates are subject to certain restrictions. Birth certificates in Alabama are secret records with limited access for 125 years after the date of birth, according to state law. Death certificates are private documents having limited access for a period of 25 years after the date of death. The following individuals may get these records:

  • Person named on the certificate

  • Mother or father (or legal guardian) of person named on the certificate

  • Husband or wife of person named on the certificate

  • Son or daughter of person named on the certificate

  • Sister or brother of person named on the certificate

  • Legal representative of an authorized person

Your request for an Apostille or Exemplified copy will not be completed if you are not an authorized individual stated above and do not have written and signed authority to receive a limited birth or death certificate.


Identification will be required to receive a limited birth or death certificate beginning May 1, 2017. For further information, see ID Requirements.


Apostille and Exemplified copies of marriage and divorce certificates are not limited and can be obtained by anybody for a cost.


The country in which you will utilize the papers will determine whether you want an Apostille copy or an Exemplified copy. An Apostille copy is affixed to the certificate if the nation in which the papers will be used is a signatory to the Hague Convention. An Exemplified copy is affixed to the certificate if the nation in which the papers will be used is not a signatory to the Hague Convention. Please note that there is a distinction between Hague Conference Members and Hague Convention Parties.


You must seek an Apostille or an Exemplified copy from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics by mail, telephone, or in person.


There is no margin for error with the Authentication or Apostille process. If mistakes are made, both your time and money will be wasted and you'll have to start all over again. If you want to look into outsourcing this part of preparing to studying abroad to someone with experience, please email me at jared@apostillellc.com or call 848-467-7740 to request my services or learn more.

8 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page