Apostilles
Apostilles are an internationally recognized way to verifying the authenticity of one country’s official document to another country. In New York State, the Department of State issues apostilles on official documents. The NY Department of State requires the document be authenticated at the city and county levels before an Apostille can be issued. That means that your marriage certificate, birth certificate and/or death certificate must have the original signature of the Registrar/Deputy Registrar and the County Clerk along with a raised seal.
Access to certified copies of vital records is restricted by Public Health Law Section 4174, Section 4139 and Domestic Relations Law Section 20. To obtain any of these certified documents you must provide one of the following forms of photo ID which has your date of birth, signature and valid expiration date:
- U.S. Driver's License
- Non-driver photo ID card (DMV issued identification)
- Passport
- U.S. Military ID (Active, Reserve or Retired personnel)
ALL APPLICANTS MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.
Once your documents have been signed and certified by the Registrar/Deputy Registrar you must then take the documents to the Westchester County Clerk for their authentication. Once that is done you must then take your completed documents to the New York State Department of State for apostille. The New York City office for the NYS Department of State is 123 William Street, New York, NY 10038 and the phone number is (212) 417-5747.
NOTE: SUBMITTING A FALSE AFFIDAVIT MAY RESULT IN PROSECUTION FOR PERJURY