Do you need an Apostille for your Alabama birth certificate? You might need an Apostille in Alabama if you are moving to another country, applying for dual citizenship, or planning to work or study outside the USA. An Apostille is a certificate that makes your birth certificate valid in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Let us now understand step by step how you can get an Apostille.
Step 1: Get a Certified Copy of Your Birth Certificate
You first need to have a certified copy of your birth certificate. A certified copy is an official document that has an extended seal or stamp from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH).
How to Obtain a Certified Copy?
- Online: you can visit the ADPH website and use their online services. This is the fastest method.
- By Mail: You can download and fill out the birth certificate request form from the ADPH website. Mail it along with a copy of your ID and the required fee.
- In Person: Another way is you can visit the ADPH office or a local county health department. You just need to bring your ID and the fee for the service.
Step 2: Verify the Certificate
Before you move ahead, make sure that the certified copy of your birth certificate is valid for apostille. It must be issued by the State Registrar or Deputy State Registrar and should be recent with an issue date of less than 5 years.
Step 3: Prepare the Apostille Request
Now that you have the certified copy, you need to prepare a request for an apostille. This involves filling out the Alabama Secretary of State apostille request form.
What You Need:
- The completed apostille request form (available on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website).
- The certified copy of your birth certificate.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your documents.
- The processing fee (you can check the current fee on the Secretary of State’s website).
Step 4: Submit Your Request
You can submit your request by mail or in person.
By Mail:
- Put these things together in an envelope: The form you have filled out asking for an Apostille, your official birth certificate, make another envelope with your address on it and a stamp, and the fee you need to pay.
- You can send this envelope to the Alabama Secretary of State office.
Step 5: Wait for Processing
The processing time can vary. If you mail your request, it typically takes a few business days. In-person requests might be processed more quickly, sometimes within a day. You can check the current processing times on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website.
Conclusion
While the process may seem pretty straightforward, minor errors can make or break the success rate of your application. It is recommended that you work with service providers who have the expertise and ability to fasttrack the process for you while eliminating the risk of rejections.
Getting an apostille birth certificate in Alabama is simplified and quick with Globeia as we can streamline the process and quickly process the apostille in the USA