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Civil registry at the consulate

Registering births, marriages and deaths that took place outside your home country.

Common documents

Documents usually requested and what to check on each.
DocumentWhat to check
U.S. certificate of the eventA state-issued certified copy, not a hospital copy or a photocopy.
ApostilleMany countries require one on the U.S. certificate; request it from the issuing state's Secretary of State.
TranslationCheck whether your authority requires a translation and whether it accepts one you arrange yourself.
Identity of those appearingValid documents for parents or spouses, depending on the case.

Fees

We publish no amounts. Fees depend on the authority, the application type and the date, and an outdated figure can cost you the appointment. Check them on the official portal linked from your office's record.

Step by step

  1. Get the U.S. certificate first

    The consulate registers from the official state document; without it the process cannot start.

  2. Check whether an apostille is needed

    This is the step that delays these registrations most, because it depends on a state office outside the consulate.

  3. Confirm who must attend

    Some registrations require both parents or both spouses to be present.

  4. Ask about the registration deadline

    Several legal systems set deadlines after which registration is still possible but follows a different procedure.

Appointments

Civil registry almost always requires attendance and often a different appointment type from passports.

ConsulMap is an independent directory. It neither manages nor sells appointments: this button opens an external official site.

Who it applies to

  • Births of children of nationals within the office's jurisdiction.
  • Marriages celebrated in the United States that must take effect back home.
  • Deaths that must be recorded in the home country's registry.

Common mistakes

  • Bringing the hospital certificate instead of the state-certified copy.
  • Forgetting the apostille and discovering it on the appointment day.
  • Assuming that only one parent needs to attend.

Scope of this guide

Consulates act as civil registry offices for events occurring in their jurisdiction. It is the service that varies most between countries and depends most on documents issued by U.S. authorities.

Frequently asked questions

What is an apostille and who issues it?

It is a certification that validates a public document internationally. In the United States it is usually issued by the Secretary of State of the state that produced the certificate, not by the consulate.

Can I register a birth from years ago?

In many countries yes, though late registration may follow a different procedure. Check your specific case with your authority before gathering documents.

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