When a birth certificate is used internationally for procedures like visa applications, immigration, studying abroad, or marriage registration, it typically requires Apostille certification to ensure its legality and validity in Hague Convention member states. The following is the general procedure for obtaining Hague certification for a birth certificate:

1. Obtain a birth certificate

First, make sure you have the original copy of your birth certificate or an official copy issued by the relevant agency. If the documents are outdated or damaged, it is recommended to apply for a new birth certificate from the issuing authority.

In China, if a citizen born before 1996 does not have an official hospital-issued birth certificate, they need to contact the hospital where they were born or the local residential authority at their birthplace to apply for a birth certificate. The certificate should include the following information:

● Full name of the applicant

● Date of birth

● Place of birth

● Names of parents

● ID card numbers of parents

● ***Official seal of the issuing authority is required

For specific details and content, please contact the document-using entity for confirmation and communicate with the authority that issued the birth certificate.

2. Notarization (if required)

In some countries, birth certificates must be notarized by a notary public or relevant authority before Apostille certification can be obtained. For example:

-United States: Birth certificates in some states require prior certification by the Secretary of State.

-China: The applicant must first apply for a notarized certificate at a notary office, after which the certification authority will proceed with the authentication.

3. Submit to the Apostille authority

Depending on the country, Apostille certification is administered by different government authorities:

-China: Apostille certification is issued by the local foreign affairs offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government.

-United States: Apostille certification is handled by the Secretary of State’s Office at the state level.

-UK: Apostille certification is administered by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

-France: Apostille certification is processed by the Bureau des legalisations within the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in each province.

-Germany: Apostille certification is handled by the Federal Foreign Affairs Bureau(Bundesamt für auswärtige Angelegenheiten).

Contact information of China Local Foreign Affairs Office.

4. Receive Hague certification documents

After the certification is completed, you can receive an Apostille sealed academic certificate. This document can be used directly in other Hague member states without additional certification.

5. Translation (if required)

If the target country requires a birth certificate in a specific language (e.g., Chinese in China, French in France), an official translation may be needed, with a translation certification attached. Notarized translation is typically arranged in the home country, while certified translation or sworn translation may be required overseas.

Other precautions

● Non-Hague Convention States: If neither the target country nor the document-issuing country is a member of the Hague Convention, consular certification (not Apostille) is required.

Processing time: Processing times vary by country, typically ranging from several days to weeks. It is advisable to apply in advance and confirm the timeline with the relevant authority.

Please contact us for details.