If you are looking to apostille your birth certificate and were born in New York City, each country will require a different level of authentication. The strictest variation we commonly see is countries like Italy for dual passport applications, where they require an updated original long form birth certificate with exemplification.

What is a long form birth certificate?

The long form birth certificate contains all the information regarding the newborn, like parents’ names (including mother’s maiden), the attending doctor, and exact time of birth. In contrast, a short form birth certificate merely contains vital information and says, “the long form birth certificate is on file”.

What is an exemplification?

The exemplification is just another document, from the Clerk or Department of Vital Statistics, that says “we recognize this birth certificate as being authentic”.

Wait, can’t you just have it exemplified as part of the Apostille process?

Yes, but having us exemplify more than doubles the price of the Apostille because of the time required at Centre Street in New York City. The fastest and easiest way to obtain the long form exemplified birth certificate is to order it here (and have it shipped directly to us):

https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01012

We do offer options where you can forward a specific power-of-attorney to us granting permission to obtain your birth certificate in NYC if time is absolutely of the essence.

Some of our same day Apostille options allow for obtaining your documents, having the Apostilled and couriered to FedEx all before 6pm.

To start the Apostille process, take 4 minutes to provide us with a bit of information here:

apstilleapply.com

* As a sidenote, Birth Certificates issued in Westchester County are always exemplified as part of the Apostille process. We are at the Westchester County Clerk every day of the week!

If you are in Northern Westchester, we can still have your Apostille processed same day if we have everything by 11am. No other Apostille expediters courier to the Westchester County Clerk and the New York State Department of State 5 days a week.

FBI Background Check with Apostille – November 2022 Update

In 2020, we used to make daily trips to Washington, D.C., on behalf of our VIP clients to process “same day” apostilles on FBI background checks. As a result of the Covid initiative, the walk-in counter in Washington, D.C. was eliminated and all federal apostille processing was done by mail through the Virginia processing center.

Here we are in November of 2022 and the D.C. service counter is still closed. As a result, the time it takes to process a mail-in application has jumped from four weeks to six weeks to eight weeks to what is now turning out to be ten weeks.

The fact that some expediting companies still quote 4 weeks as a timeframe for issuing an apostille on their websites is equally frustrating. As a result, many candidates have to abandon their applications, and some sometimes fly to foreign countries empty handed as a result of this. 

You have a few options, and depending on the country and the purpose of the FBI Background Check, we may be able to assist you. 

Call, text or WhatsApp apostille expediter Harry Otto at either (914)441-2444 or our D.C. hotline at (202)705-4713. Or, if you’re ready to upload your FBI Background Check PDF, use our apostille intake form:

apostilleapply.com

Welcome to the New York State ABA 2021 Power of Attorney with Westchester County venue. This Power of Attorney is not intended for International apostille use and should not be used if you are unfamiliar with agent/principal relationships.

download

Note that we have had signers call us after having their POA rejected by their bank. This is common and banks have the absolute right under § 644 of New York’s General Obligations Law to wait 10 days to even provide and answer.

So please, this is important, make sure you’ve reviewed your Power of Attorney a few times before submitting to a financial institution. If it’s “mission critical” that the Power of Attorney be instantly accepted and in “full force”, you’ll need to have a New York State attorney certify it. If the bank sees an attorney attached to the document, they will not “play games” as the civil penalties could be huge.

One common rejection we hear is banks asking for the “gift rider affidavit” or attachment. This rejection was common with the old 2010 Power of Attorney, but the new 2021 version eliminates this and includes the $5000 gift rider provision on page 3 section (g).

Remember we cannot assist you in preparing this document, but we can warn you of the issues that have come up with past clients.

download it here

Same Day NYC Marriage License Procurement for Apostille (additional):

Marriage documents must be exemplified prior to County Clerk authentication. See if your marriage documents qualify by watching this video:

We offer a completely turn-key solution for obtaining your fully Apostilled marriage records in New York City. This service is ideal for applicants that don’t have their original marriage records and live across the country or abroad. The only step you’ll need to take is to send us a completed and notarized power of attorney. Once we have this, we can:

1. Apply, pay the filing fees and obtain your marriage record at 140 Worth Street, and;
2. Have your marriage record authenticated with the New York County Clerk at 10 Centre Street, and;
3. Process your apostille with the Department of State, and;
4. Ensure your Apostilled marriage record is at a FedEx location before 6pm.

This is the same service we provide to law firms that receive flat fees of anywhere between $4500 and $7500 (per applicant) for immigration and Visa packages. The fees do not include any other documents being processed or Apostilled ($cost for same day / $cost for 3days):

New York County (Manhattan) $1499/$499 [10 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007] 1:17 33ml (no authentications on Wednesdays)
Kings County (Brooklyn) $1699/$549 [360 Adams St, Brooklyn, NY 11201] 1:12 34ml
Bronx County (The Bronx) $1599/$549 [851 Grand Concourse, The Bronx, NY 10451] :51 26ml
Richmond County (Staten Island) $1899/$599 [130 Stuyvesant Pl, Staten Island, NY 10301] 1:26 62ml
Queens County (Queens) $1699/$549 [8811 Sutphin Blvd #106, Queens, NY 11435] :50 27ml

*Richmond County may not always be available the same day

The same service is available in Westchester County:

White Plains $249
Yonkers $349
New Rochelle $349
Mount Vernon $349
Peekskill $449
Rye City $299

These fees do not include the document fees from the clerk as many applicants choose to pull multiple copies of the exemplified documents “just in case”. The exemplified marriage documents are usually about $35 each. 

MARRIAGE DOCUMENT PROCUREMENT FEES NEVER INCLUDE THE APOSTILLE FEES OR APOSTILLE EXPEDITING FEES. THIS IS A COMPLETELY SEPARATE SERVICE. THE APOSTILLE RATES ARE FOR “READY TO GO” DOCUMENTS.

Why You Should Avoid Third-Party Background Check Companies for Dual Citizenship Applications

Our company has processed thousands of dual citizenship applications for well over 50 countries. One of the most frequent questions we receive from applicants is about the type of background check that should be submitted to embassies and consulates. This article addresses these concerns and explains why we strongly advise against using third-party background check companies, especially for sensitive applications such as dual citizenship.

The Risks of Using Third-Party Background Check Companies

Checkr: Checkr has faced numerous complaints regarding inaccuracies in their background checks, which have led to job disqualifications based on outdated or incorrect criminal records. Users have reported issues with the length of time Checkr takes to verify information, sometimes causing significant delays in employment opportunities. Complaints also highlight problems with incorrect information being reported, leading to job disqualifications based on outdated or erroneous criminal records​ (Better Business Bureau)​​ (Checkr)​.

GoodHire: GoodHire has had significant issues with inaccuracies in their background checks. Users have reported cases where major criminal records were missed, which later caused serious employment problems. Additionally, GoodHire has been criticized for not adequately verifying information and making it difficult to get timely corrections to inaccuracies​ (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse)​​ (Better Business Bureau)​​ (NerdWallet: Finance smarter)​.

Accurate Background: Accurate Background has been reported for data security issues and slow response times to disputes, making it challenging for users to correct incorrect information. This can lead to significant delays in employment or other critical applications.

HireRight: HireRight has a history of legal issues and fines related to non-compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The company has been involved in multiple lawsuits due to providing incorrect information and failing to offer proper dispute mechanisms for affected individuals​ (Enzuzo)​.

Sterling: Sterling has experienced data breaches that compromised sensitive personal information. The company has struggled with inaccuracies in reports and a slow dispute resolution process, impacting users’ employment opportunities.

Instant Checkmate and Intelius: Both companies have reported significant data breaches. Instant Checkmate, for instance, disclosed a breach affecting over 11.9 million accounts, exposing names, email addresses, and encrypted passwords​ (SecurityWeek)​.

First Advantage: First Advantage has been involved in lawsuits over inaccuracies in background checks, including outdated criminal history information. The company has faced legal challenges for not ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of the information provided in their reports​ (SecurityWeek)​.

IntelliCorp: IntelliCorp has received complaints about inaccuracies and difficulties in disputing incorrect information. Users have reported that the process of correcting errors is cumbersome and slow, leading to significant delays in employment or other opportunities.

Why Third-Party Background Checks Are Not Trusted for Dual Citizenship

Countries participating in the 1961 Hague Convention and the Apostille process do not accept background checks from third-party private contractors. These countries only accept federal FBI background checks with an Apostille issued through Washington, DC. The stringent requirements ensure that the background checks are accurate, secure, and adhere to international standards.

Our Company Policy

Our company does not permit any non-governmental agencies from obtaining private information from any of our Apostille expediters or notaries. Many of our notaries already hold bonding certificates and maintain additional licenses such as real estate, insurance, and sometimes even governmental financial securities licenses. This ensures that all background checks are handled with the highest level of security and professionalism.

Our Recommendation

We strongly advise against using third-party background check companies for dual citizenship applications or other highly sensitive clearances. Instead, we recommend utilizing the New York State Criminal Search Portal or the FBI background check system. These government-provided services offer:

• Stringent Regulatory Oversight: Government agencies operate under strict regulatory standards, ensuring the highest level of accuracy and data protection.
• Robust Data Protection Measures: Federal background checks are conducted with stringent security measures, reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
• Global Acceptance: Federal background checks are widely accepted by embassies and consulates around the world, ensuring a smoother application process for dual citizenship.

By opting for secure and trustworthy government-provided background checks, you can avoid the significant risks posed by third-party background check companies and ensure your sensitive information is protected. This approach not only adheres to international standards but also provides peace of mind that your background check will be accurate and secure.