Death certificate apostille
Do you need a Hague apostille for a U.S. death certificate? Start here...
Getting an apostille for a death certificate in the United States can feel complicated, since each state has its own rules and procedures. The process varies depending on the state’s designated authority, required paperwork, and verification steps. This page outlines the apostille process for death certificates on a state-by-state basis, giving you clear guidance to help you complete the necessary steps with confidence and ease.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arizona apostille requirements for death certificates
To be eligible for apostilles, Arizona death certificates should be certified by the State Registrar or Assistant State Registrar. Certified copies that have the watermark "For Government Use Only" are not eligible for apostilles.
Old death certificates are acceptable for apostille purposes. However, please check with the country of intended use if the receiving authorities require a recent copy.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
Arizona is a "closed record" state. That means that death certificates are not public records.
To obtain a certified copy of the death certificate, please contact Arizona Department of Health Services: ADHS - Vital Records - Home (azdhs.gov).
You can also order a certified copy from the local County Health Department where the death was registered: ADHS - Vital Records - Local County Health Department (azdhs.gov)
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get an Arizona apostille
Send the original death certificate by mail for an Arizona apostille.
In the State of Arizona, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document. It is signed by the Arizona Secretary of State and has a Great Seal of the State of Arizona. Arizona apostilles are issued in English/French/Spanish.
Arizona apostille: $175
Processing time: app. 2 weeks + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
Arkansas
Arkansas apostille requirements for death certificates
To be eligible for an apostille, an Arkansas death certificate needs to be a certified copy issued by the Arkansas Department of Health’s Vital Records office.
A notary public may not certify a photocopy of a document that is a vital record or a public record.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
To obtain a certified copy of the death certificate, please contact Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records: Order Death Records - Arkansas Department of Health
Arkansas is a "closed record" state. That means that death certificates are not public records. the following individulas are eligible to get a certified copy of the death certificate:
- Mother
- Father (if named on the birth certificate)
- Child
- Spouse
- Grandchild
- Maternal grandparents
- Informant
- Funerla home
- Beneficiary (with proper documentation)
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get an Arkansas apostille
Send the original death certificate by mail for an Arkansas apostille.
In the State of Arkansas, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document. It is signed by the Secretary of State (facsimile signature) and has the Seal of the Secretary of State. Each apostille has the name of the country the document is intended for.
Arkansas apostille: $175
Processing time: app. 2 weeks + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
California
California apostille requirements for death certificates
To be eligible for California apostilles, California death certificates need to be certified copies issued by
Death certificates signed by County Health Officers, Deputy Health Officers, Health Care Agencies, or County Vital Records Sections are also acceptable. However they require additional legalization steps.
The signature, name, and title of the public official can be found at the bottom of a death certificate.
Old documents are acceptable (in most cases). However, check with the receiving foreign agency if they will accept an old document. Many foreign agencies require that the document is recently issued.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
To obtain a certified copy of a death certificate, contact County Clerk/Recorder, County Registrar-Recorder, County Controller-Recorder, County Assessor-Recorder in the county where the death was registered: County Registrars and Recorders
You can also obtain a certified copy from the Department of Public Health: Vital Records Obtaining Certified Copies of Death Records
Do not order a death certificate from the Local Registrar. The processing of an apostille will take additional time (sometimes, a few weeks) and will involve additional costs
California is a "closed record" state. That means that death certificates are not public records. The following individulas are eligible to get a certified ("authorized") copy of the death certificate:
Who can get an authorized copy: Only specific individuals can obtain an authorized certified copy, including the decedent's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, or their legal representatives.
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a California apostille
If your document is eligible, send the original death certificate to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining an apostille.
In the State of California, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document by staples. It is signed by the California Secretary of State (facsimile signature) and has the Seal of the Office of the Secretary of State. California apostilles are issued in English/French/Spanish.
California apostille: $175
Processing time: app. 2 weeks + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
Colorado
Colorado apostille requirements for death certificates
To be eligible for a Colorado apostille, a Colorado death certificate must be a certified copy issued by the Colorado Department of Pubic Health and Environment.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
To obtain a certified copy of a death certificate, contact the Colorado Department of Health and Environment: Birth, death, and other vital records | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Colorado is a "closed record" state. That means that death certificates are not public records. The following individulas are eligible to get a certified copy of a death certificate: spouse, parents, adult children, siblings, legal representatives. Proof of relationship is required.
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a Colorado apostille
If your document is eligible, send the original document to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a Colorado apostille.
In the State of Colorado, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document by staples. It is signed by the Secretary of the State (facsimile signature) and has the Seal of the State of Colorado. Colorado apostilles are issued in English/Spanish/French.
As of April 2, 2018, the Secretary of State issues a combined single certificate of authentication. In countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention, the certificate serves as an apostille.
Colorado apostille: $175
Processing time: app. 10 bus. days + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
Connecticut
Connecticut apostille requirements for death certificates
The following death certificates are eligible for Connecticut apostilles: certified copies issued by
Notarized copies are not eligible for apostilles.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
Connecticut death certificates can be obtained from the Town Clerk or the Department of Public Heath, Vital Records Unit.
Connecticut death certificates are public records. A certified copy of a Connecticut death certificate may be purchased for a fee by anyone at least 18 years old. Note that the decedent's social security number can only be accessed by the decedent's spouse or next of kin.
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a Connecticut apostille
If your document is eligible, send the original document to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a Connecticut apostille.
Please be aware that, starting in 2025, Connecticut apostilles will feature a new design: a blue border composed of small Connecticut seals.
In the State of Connecticut, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document. It is signed by the Secretary of State (facsimile signature) and has the Seal of the State of Connecticut.
Connecticut apostille: $175
Processing time: app. 2 weeks + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
Delaware
DC
Florida
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Hawaii
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