Getting an Apostille for a Birth Certificate in Los Angeles County

Using Vital Records Internationally

Dual citizenship applications, international marriages, and retiring abroad are exciting life events. They all share one common requirement: you must prove who you are with a birth certificate. But a foreign government won't just take your word for it, nor will they accept a photocopy. They need an Apostille attached to the original certified copy.

The "Certified Copy" Pitfall

This is the most common stumbling block. In California, birth certificates are issued by two entities: the County Recorder and the County Health Department.
CRITICAL: The Secretary of State will ONLY Apostille certificates signed by the County Clerk/Recorder. They generally will NOT Apostille documents signed by a Health Officer (MD) without an intermediate authentication step.

If you have a birth certificate signed by a Health Officer, we often have to go to the County Clerk first to "authenticate" that doctor's signature before we can go to the Secretary of State. This creates a confusing three-step process.

How We Help

When you hire us, we examine your document first. We tell you immediately if it is eligible for an Apostille or if you need to order a new copy. If it is ready, we handle the logistics.

• No Trips to Sacramento: We courier documents directly to the Secretary of State.
• Authentication Handling: If intermediate county steps are needed, we can guide you or handle them.
• Speed: We know the current processing times and can advise on the fastest route.

Whether you are claiming Italian citizenship by descent or getting married in Mexico, we ensure your birth certificate is ready for the world stage.