If you or your child was born in New York City and you need to use the birth certificate in another country, you may need an Apostille. A NYC birth certificate Apostille is commonly requested for dual citizenship, residency, marriage abroad, international adoption, or other legal and administrative procedures. The process requires more than simply obtaining a copy of the birth certificate. You need to start with the correct birth certificate and complete the required New York certifications in the correct order.
In this guide, I’ll explain exactly how the process works and how I can help if you don’t live in New York or simply don’t want to navigate the different government offices yourself.
I’m Corinne, founder of Oui Oui Oui. I help clients from around the world obtain New York City documents and prepare them for international use, including Apostilles and Certificates of Authentication.
Many of the people who contact me no longer live in New York or even in the United States. My goal is to make the process easier and handle as much of the New York side as possible on their behalf.
Apostille for a Child’s NYC Birth Certificate
To obtain an Apostille for a New York City birth certificate, you need a Long Form Birth Certificate with a Letter of Exemplification. A regular short-form birth certificate is not the document used for this process.
The Long Form contains additional information from the birth record, while the Letter of Exemplification accompanies the certificate for the authentication process.
Once you have both documents, you can proceed with the County Clerk certification and then the New York State Apostille.
How to Get an Apostille for a NYC Birth Certificate
There are three main steps.
Step 1: Obtain the Long Form Birth Certificate With a Letter of Exemplification
The first step is obtaining a Long Form Birth Certificate with a Letter of Exemplification from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. You can request the certificate online, by mail, or in person. When ordering the birth certificate for this purpose, make sure you select Apostille/Authentication as the reason for your request so the appropriate documents are issued. If you are requesting the certificate in person, an appointment is required.
Step 2: Have the Documents Certified by the Manhattan County Clerk
Once you have the Long Form Birth Certificate and Letter of Exemplification, the next step is to have the documents certified by the New York County Clerk in Manhattan. The County Clerk certifies the signature on the birth record so that the document can proceed to the New York Department of State. Once this certification is completed, your documents are ready for the Apostille.
Step 3: Obtain the New York State Apostille
After the County Clerk certification is completed, the documents can be submitted to the New York Department of State for the Apostille. The Apostille certifies the document for use in countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention. Once the Apostille has been issued, your NYC birth certificate has completed the New York Apostille process and can be used abroad, subject to the requirements of the authority requesting it.
Apostille for a Child’s NYC Birth Certificate
If your child was born in New York City and you need the birth certificate for use abroad, you can request the appropriate Long Form Birth Certificate with a Letter of Exemplification and complete the Apostille process. Parents often need these documents for dual citizenship, residency, registration of a child’s birth abroad, international schooling, or other administrative procedures. Always confirm the exact requirements with the authority requesting the document before beginning the process.
Ordering Your NYC Birth Certificate
If you are eligible to request the record, you can order a NYC birth certificate online, by mail, or in person. For an Apostille, make sure you request the Long Form Birth Certificate with a Letter of Exemplification. If you order online, select Apostille/Authentication as the reason for your request. If you request the certificate in person, an appointment is required.
Getting a NYC Birth Certificate Apostille From Outside New York
You do not necessarily need to travel back to New York just because you need an Apostille. This is particularly important for people who were born in New York but now live elsewhere, as well as parents whose children were born in NYC before the family moved abroad. Depending on your situation, I can help coordinate the New York portion of the process and complete the required certification and Apostille steps. Once everything is completed, the documents can be shipped to you with tracking.
Apostille vs. Certificate of Authentication
If your birth certificate will be used in a country participating in the Hague Apostille Convention, an Apostille is generally the appropriate certification. For countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention, a Certificate of Authentication and additional legalization may be required instead. If you’re unsure which one you need, read my guide explaining the difference between an Apostille and a Certificate of Authentication.
Completing the NYC Birth Certificate Apostille Process Yourself
You can handle the entire process yourself. First, request a Long Form Birth Certificate with a Letter of Exemplification from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Then have the documents certified by the Manhattan County Clerk before submitting them to the New York Department of State for the Apostille. If you live in New York and have the time to coordinate the different steps, you can absolutely complete the process yourself.
I Can Handle the Entire Process for You
If you are abroad or simply don’t have time to handle the process yourself, I can help make the process much easier. Depending on your situation and eligibility, I can help with obtaining the appropriate Long Form Birth Certificate with the Letter of Exemplification. I can then handle the Manhattan County Clerk certification and submit the documents to the New York Department of State for the Apostille. Once everything is completed, I can ship the documents directly to you in the United States or abroad.
Why Work With Me?
I regularly help clients navigate New York document and Apostille procedures, including people who no longer live in New York or the United States.
Depending on your situation, I can assist with:
- Obtaining the appropriate Long Form Birth Certificate with the Letter of Exemplification
- Manhattan County Clerk certification
- New York State Apostille
- Shipping your completed documents within the United States or abroad
You communicate directly with me throughout the process, and I keep you updated as your documents move through the different steps.
How Much Does It Cost to Apostille a Birth Certificate in NYC?
If you complete the process yourself, there are several government fees to consider.
A NYC Long Form Birth Certificate with a Letter of Exemplification costs $15 per copy, plus any applicable processing fee depending on how you order it.
The Manhattan County Clerk certification costs $3 per document, and the New York Department of State charges $10 per Apostille.
If you would like me to handle the process for you, my service fee is separate from the government fees. Contact me for a quote based on your situation.
Can I Get the Birth Certificate the Same Day?
In some cases, yes. If you are eligible to order the record in person and have the required appointment, you may be able to obtain the Long Form Birth Certificate with a Letter of Exemplification the same day.
Can You Handle the NYC Birth Certificate Apostille Process for Me?
Yes. Depending on your situation and eligibility, I can assist with obtaining the appropriate NYC birth certificate and Letter of Exemplification, then handle the Manhattan County Clerk certification and New York State Apostille.
You do not need to live in New York to use my service. I regularly assist clients elsewhere in the United States and abroad.
I Already Have My NYC Birth Certificate. Can You Help With the Apostille?
Yes. Tell me which birth certificate you currently have and which country the document will be used in. I can help determine whether you have the correct version and which steps still need to be completed.
For a faster response, call or text me at 914-689-0869.
If you need assistance with your apostille, I would be happy to help. Feel free to reach out and share your situation. I will guide you through the next steps and confirm the best option for you.
For a faster response, you can call or text me directly at +1 914 689 0869Or simply fill out the form below and I will get back to you shortly.