Why do I need an apostille on my Georgia birth certificate?
Generally, an apostille on a birth certificate is required when a person is moving to another country to work, study, or marriage. Also, if you apply for dual citizenship, you will be asked to provide an apostilled birth certificate among other documents. An apostille confirms the authenticity of your birth certificate, including the stamps and signatures on it, and makes it legally accepted by all member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961.
How can I get an apostille on my Georgia Birth Certificate?
First, you need to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate from your local county office or the State Office of Vital Records. You can request this document in person or by mail. It is also possible to obtain certified copies of birth certificates online via one of Georgia State approved third-party vendors (GO Certificates, ROVER, and Vital Chek).
In Georgia, birth certificates are only issued to applicants having a direct and actual regard to the registrant, such as immediate family members, and/or legal representatives.
These are the examples in which specific documentation is required based on who is requesting the record.
• The individual named on the birth certificate - If a birth certificate is requested by the individual named on the certificate, then that person must provide his/her valid photo identification at the time of the request.
• The parent(s) named on the birth record - Parents must provide a valid picture ID.
• An authorized legal guardian or representative - An individual who has legal custody or control of a minor child is required to provide a certified copy of the court order establishing guardianship and legal custody.
• Grandparents of the person named on the certificate – Grandparents are required to provide proof of relationship such as the birth certificate of the registrant’s parent.
• An adult child or adult sibling of the person named on the certificate – Adult children/siblings are required to provide proof of relationship by providing a copy of his or her birth certificate listing one of the same parents, along with his or her valid government issued picture identification which includes the signature.
• The spouse of the person named on the certificate - The spouse is required to provide a copy of the marriage certificate, a photocopy of the spouse’s picture identification, which includes the spouse’s signature, with a notarized letter from the spouse giving a permission.
• Attorney - An attorney representing an immediate family member must provide a notarized letter on letterhead signed by the attorney; provide bar number indicating reason for the request and whom they represent; provide supporting documentation with the fee; provide a notarized release from the biological mother, in the event of an adoption.
• State or Federal Government Officials - The State Registrar or the local custodian has a right to disclose data from Vital Records to authorized representatives of Federal, State, or County agencies of government which request such data in the conduct of their official duties.
Once you obtain an original or a certified copy of a birth certificate you can mail it to our office for apostille processing. Remember that an apostille is always processed in the same state that issued the birth certificate, so a Georgia-issued birth certificate can only receive Georgia apostille.
Obtaining a birth certificate apostille is a complicated process and should always be handled by professionals only. Remember that trusting your important documents to incompetent people unfamiliar with the specifics of each country, may lead you to extra expenses, and delays of your important business by weeks, or even months. Complicated matters must be handled by experts, and that’s why we recommend that you should allow Global Apostille to take care of obtaining your Birth Certificate apostille.
For any questions, please visit our FAQ page or Contact Us page.