Birth Certificate Apostille in Washington DC
Official DC Office of the Secretary authentication for birth certificates issued in Washington DC and federal processing for out-of-state certificates.
At a Glance — 2026 Snapshot
| DC Birth Certificates | DC Office of the Secretary 3-5 days |
|---|---|
| Processing Fee (DC) | $10 per document Standard Rate |
| Out-of-State Certificates | Home state apostille Varies by State |
| Federal Birth Records | US Department of State 2-3 weeks |
| Walk-In Service | Available in DC Same Day Option |
| Common Uses | Immigration, dual citizenship, international marriage, overseas employment Hague Convention |
Critical: Where Was Your Birth Certificate Issued?
The apostille authority depends entirely on which government entity issued your birth certificate. This is the most important factor in the apostille process.
Choose your apostille path:
- Born in Washington DC → Apostille through DC Office of the Secretary
- Born in another US state → Apostille in that state's Secretary of State office
- Born abroad to US parents → US Department of State apostille (if Consular Report)
- Hospital birth certificate → NOT valid for apostille (must get state-issued certified copy)
Hospital Certificates vs State-Issued Certificates
Many people mistakenly try to apostille decorative hospital birth certificates. These are commemorative documents and cannot be apostilled.
- • STATE-ISSUED certified copy from vital records office (acceptable)
- • Official certificate with state registrar or clerk signature (acceptable)
- • Hospital souvenir certificate with baby footprints (NOT acceptable)
- • Photocopy or notarized copy (NOT acceptable)
Washington DC Residents with Out-of-State Birth Certificates
Living in Washington DC does not mean your birth certificate should be apostilled in DC. The location of your residence is irrelevant.
- • Apostille MUST be obtained in the state where you were born
- • DC Office cannot apostille Virginia, Maryland, or other state certificates
- • Each state has its own Secretary of State apostille office
- • We can coordinate multi-state apostille services if needed
DC Birth Certificate Service Options
Same Day / 3-5 DaysWalk-In Service (Same Day)
Visit DC Office of the Secretary in person at 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Submit your DC birth certificate and receive apostille same day. Available Monday-Friday 8:30am-3:30pm. Payment: $10 cash, check, or money order per document.
Mail-In Service (3-5 Days)
Mail DC birth certificate with completed request form and $10 payment to DC Office of the Secretary. Include self-addressed stamped return envelope. Processing: 3-5 business days from receipt.
Out-of-State Birth Certificate Options
Varies by StateDirect State Submission
Submit to Secretary of State office in your birth state. Each state has different processing times (1 day to 3 weeks) and fees ($2-$25). Check specific state requirements at our state-by-state guide.
DC Walk-In Service
Same-day processing available at the Office of the Secretary. We can handle this for you to save time.
Expedited Processing
Need it fast? We offer expedited courier services for both DC and out-of-state birth certificates.
Translation Services
Certified translations available for Italy, Spain, France, and over 50 other languages.
Apostille Fees & Processing Times
| Service Type | Government Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| DC Birth Certificate (Standard) | $15.00 | 5-7 business days |
| DC Birth Certificate (Walk-In) | $15.00 | Same Day |
| Federal Birth Record (DOS) | $20.00 | 2-3 weeks |
| Out-of-State Certificate | $2.00 - $25.00 | Varies by State |
* Processing times are estimates and subject to government office volume. Service fees for our assistance are separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Multiple State Birth Certificates Apostilled?
Planning to apostille birth certificates for multiple family members from different states? We coordinate submissions across all 50 states plus DC.
Get Multi-State QuoteFamily packages available
