Preparing a birth certificate for the apostille process means verifying the format and requirements in advance. Unlike many other types of documents, birth certificates Do Not need to be notarized first. Original Vital Statistics documents can typically be apostilled on the original.

It may be possible for you to apostille a copy of your birth certificate, if it is a certified true copy made by a Notary Public. However, that will depend on the recipient’s requirements (do they accept copies) and the place of origin (which determines the jurisdiction of the apostille office).

For more specific information on how your birth certificate needs to be prepared contact our friendly specialists for a free consultation, or alternatively you can consult Global Affairs Canada and the relevant embassy or consulate of the destination country.