If you have applied for a job in the UK but were born overseas, one of the things you might be asked to provide as part of the identity checking process is an apostille of your birth certificate. Similarly, someone from the UK moving overseas may have been asked for similar for their British certificates. Navigating the process of obtaining an apostille for your birth certificate doesn’t have to be challenging.
What is an Apostille?
As defined by the Hague Convention of 1961, an apostille is an official government stamp that authenticates the origin of a public document. It ensures that public documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or any court-issued document, are recognised in over 125 other countries around the world which have also signed up to the Hague Convention.
The apostille is an internationally accepted legal seal, so that a document authorised in one country can be used for the same purpose in any other of the countries which are part of the Convention. Getting an apostille for your birth certificate is crucial when dealing with international matters, whether for studying, working, immigrating, or dealing with legal processes in foreign countries.
An Overview of the Apostille Process
The apostille process makes it easier to certify documents intended for use in foreign countries. An apostille birth certificate has undergone this process and bears the stamp or attachment of an apostille. Also, the apostille system eliminates the need for double-certification, stopping the requirement for certification in the document’s originating country and then at a later date by the foreign country where the document is intended for use.
Getting an Apostille for Your Birth Certificate
There are several steps to go through before getting an Apostille for your birth certificate. These are:
- Get your original birth certificate, or order one from the records office if you don’t have the one issued at the time of your birth.
- Submit it for Apostille, either by mail or by using the services of a quicker, third-party agent who can complete the paperwork and take the certificate to the government Apostille office.
- Once stamped and sealed officially, find out whether you need to get your certificate officially translated if the country where you will be using the approved copy is not English speaking.
- Collect the document – either in person, or have it sent back by mail or by courier.
- Provide your birth certificate with the apostille attached, along with any other document, to the authorities in the country which has requested it.
Although the Apostille service has been designed to be simple, it does involve some legal process and if you need a document certified in a hurry, the only way to do this is by going in person to the office in central London. With something so important, it’s always worth using the services of a specialist apostille agent who has years of experience in managing the process for many different types of documents.
