You typed where can i get my birth certificate translated and apostilled because you need a version of your U.S. birth record that a Spanish-speaking authority will accept—often for marriage, dual citizenship, study abroad, or immigration steps in a Hague country. Getting it right means two things: (1) securing an apostille on the proper original or certified copy, and (2) attaching a Spanish translation the recipient will accept. At Apostille de la Haya, we handle the end-to-end path: we can obtain the certified copy (when applicable), route the apostille, and prepare a non-certified translation so you submit once and move on. Timeframes can vary depending on the issuing state and destination rules.
“Where can i get my birth certificate translated and apostilled?” (short answer)
Apostille: It is issued by the competent authority in the state of issuance of your birth certificate (e.g., the state’s Secretary of State). For federal records, the apostille comes from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
Translation to Spanish: You can use Apostille de la Haya for a non-certified Spanish translation that mirrors your document for clarity and review. If a recipient requires a certified/sworn translation under their rules, that is a different channel; we will help you confirm what your recipient actually accepts.
What an apostille really does (and doesn’t do)
An apostille doesn’t translate or validate the content of your birth certificate. It authenticates the signature and capacity of the public official who issued or certified the document (state vital records, county clerk, or health department officer). In practice, the apostille tells a foreign authority, “this certificate is genuinely issued by the correct U.S. office.”
Key facts:
Apostilles in the U.S. are physical. The apostille page is stapled to your original or certified copy.
Vital records must be originals or certified copies; photocopies and home printouts don’t qualify for apostille.
Notarization does not replace an apostille for vital records. (Notaries don’t notarize the vital record itself.)
Why state matters: the apostille must match the issuing state
If your birth certificate was issued in California, the apostille must be issued in California. If it’s from Illinois, the apostille must be issued in Illinois—and so on. The location where you live or where you submit the document does not change this rule.
This is the part that trips up many people searching where can i get my birth certificate translated and apostilled from Miami, New York, or abroad. You can work with our team remotely, but your apostille still runs through the state that issued the certificate. Apostille de la Haya coordinates that routing for you.
Non-certified translation: when it’s enough—and how we prepare it
Many private recipients (employers, agencies for preliminary review, or some university offices) will accept a clear, non-certified Spanish translation attached to the apostilled birth certificate. That’s exactly what we deliver: a faithful rendering of names, places, dates, marginal notes, seals, and certificate numbers, formatted so reviewers can compare the translation and original line by line.
We emphasize: our translation is non-certified. If your destination explicitly requires a certified/sworn translation, we’ll help you confirm that requirement so you can use the correct channel and avoid re-work.
Typical scenarios that require a birth certificate translated and apostilled
Marriage abroad: Civil registries in many Hague countries want an apostilled birth certificate and a Spanish translation.
Dual citizenship: Consulates often require a recent certified copy with apostille; translation rules vary by country.
University admission: Schools may ask for translation for internal records or evaluations; sometimes non-certified is fine, other times not.
Residency/immigration: Authorities may demand apostille plus translation. Always confirm the sequence.
In every scenario, acceptance rules change by recipient. That’s why we operate acceptance-first: verify, then prepare.
The Apostille de la Haya approach (end-to-end, acceptance-first)
Requirements check
Tell us the country and office (consulate, registry, school, employer). We confirm whether they require apostille, whether they accept a non-certified translation, and any age limits for the certificate (some destinations want “recently issued” copies).Obtain a certified copy (if you don’t have one)
We can obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate from the appropriate vital records office. We’ll confirm the right issuer (state vital records vs. county clerk) so the apostille office accepts it.Apostille routing
We route the document through the state’s competent authority for apostille. For federal documents, we use the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Timeframes may vary by workload and season.Non-certified Spanish translation
We produce a non-certified translation that mirrors the original: names, diacritics, seals, margins, and any annotations. If the recipient later asks for a certified translation, we’ll help you confirm the proper channel (we do not issue certified translations).Packaging & delivery
We assemble everything for easy review (original/certified copy + apostille + translation) and ship the physical packet anywhere you choose, inside or outside the U.S. We can also provide PDF scans for your records.
Sequencing matters: apostille → translation, or translation → apostille?
This is a frequent concern behind where can i get my birth certificate translated and apostilled. Some authorities want the apostille first, then a translation that references the apostille page (dates, seals). Others want just the birth certificate apostilled, with the translation attached separately. A few request a translator’s notarized statement (which may itself be apostilled).
We confirm the sequence before starting, so you don’t do the same work twice. Timeframes may vary depending on the path.
How long does this take?
Processing time depends on:
The issuing state (each Secretary of State sets its own pace).
Whether we must obtain a new certified copy first.
Seasonal volume (travel, admissions, holidays).
Whether the destination asks for special packaging or a translator’s statement.
We provide realistic windows during intake. Our job is to keep the steps moving and to avoid re-submissions by getting the format right the first time.
Pitfalls we help you avoid
Submitting a photocopy instead of an original/certified birth certificate for apostille.
Requesting an apostille in the wrong state (apostille must match the issuing state).
Notarizing the vital record (unnecessary and often rejected).
Ignoring marginal notes or seals in the translation (we render all visible elements).
Confusing certified vs. non-certified translation (we provide non-certified; we’ll help you confirm if certified is required).
Breaking the staple of the apostille package (keep the attachment intact).
A simple checklist before you start
I know which state issued my birth certificate (that’s where the apostille comes from).
I either have an original/certified copy or I want Apostille de la Haya to obtain one.
I confirmed whether my recipient accepts a non-certified Spanish translation, or if they demand a certified/sworn translation.
I know the sequence: apostille first, then translation—or separate attachments.
I accounted for shipping (domestic/international).
I understand timeframes may vary with state workload and season.
If any line is unclear, we’ll clarify before proceeding.
Example timelines (illustrative only—actual times vary)
You have a valid certified copy from State A → We route State A apostille, then prepare the non-certified Spanish translation and ship together.
You need us to obtain the certified copy → We request it from the vital records office, wait for issuance, route the apostille, then translate and ship.
Document will be used in a non-Hague country → We coordinate authentication + consular legalization instead of a Hague apostille; translation rules may differ.
Why choose Apostille de la Haya
End-to-end management: we can obtain your certified copy, route the apostille in the correct state, and prepare a non-certified Spanish translation that reviewers can follow easily.
Acceptance-first planning: we confirm destination rules and sequence so you present once.
Nationwide + international logistics: we coordinate across states and ship your original packet anywhere in the U.S. or abroad.
Clear expectations: no DIY guesswork, and timeframes may vary—we set realistic windows and keep you updated.
Stop wondering where can i get my birth certificate translated and apostilled and get it done the right way. Contact Apostille de la Haya. We’ll obtain your certified copy if needed, route the apostille through the correct state, and provide a non-certified Spanish translation packaged for acceptance—then ship the physical packet wherever you need it.
FAQ
1) where can i get my birth certificate translated and apostilled if I live outside the U.S.?
Work with Apostille de la Haya remotely. We can obtain a certified copy (if needed), route the apostille through the issuing state, prepare a non-certified Spanish translation, and ship the packet abroad. Timeframes may vary.
2) Can I apostille a scanned copy of my birth certificate?
No. Apostilles are issued on originals or certified copies. We can help you obtain the right document if you don’t have one.
3) Do you provide a certified or sworn translation?
We provide non-certified Spanish translations. If your recipient requires a certified/sworn translation, we’ll help you confirm that requirement and guide you to the correct channel.
The information contained in this publication is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading or using this content does not create and is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship. No reader or user should act or refrain from acting based on the information presented herein without first consulting an attorney duly licensed to practice law in their jurisdiction.
