US state guide
Pennsylvania birth certificates and apostilles for European citizenship
Almost every citizenship-by-descent application starts with certified Pennsylvania records. Here is how to order the right version, get the apostille and avoid the mistakes that cause rejections.
Order a certified long-form certificate
- OfficePennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records
- How to orderonline, mail, in person
- Fee per birth certificate$20
Order birth, marriage and death records for every generation in your chain, not just your own.
Get the apostille
- Issued byPennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation (Apostilles & Certifications)
- Fee per document$15
- How to applymail, in person
- Watch outOriginals only bearing the signature and seal of the proper PA official (state registrar); birth certificates need no notarization; mail with the Request for Legalization form or cover letter.
Prepare it for your country
Greece
Certified long-form records, each with an apostille, then an official Greek translation.
Translate only after the apostille is attached, by a certified translator or the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs translation service.
Greek citizenship guide →Ireland
Original civil (state-issued) certificates for you, your parent and your Irish-born grandparent.
US documents are in English, so no translation is needed. Check the current Foreign Births Register document guide before ordering apostilles.
Irish citizenship guide →Poland
Certified long-form records with apostilles, translated into Polish by a sworn translator.
Polish authorities require translations by a Polish sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły), done after the apostille.
Polish citizenship guide →Fees and procedures come from official Pennsylvania websites and change often. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Consulates that serve Pennsylvania
FAQ
How do I get a long-form birth certificate in Pennsylvania?
Order a certified copy from Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records (online, mail, in person). Ask for the full version that lists both parents, because short-form or abstract copies are usually rejected for citizenship applications.
How do I get an apostille in Pennsylvania?
Apostilles for Pennsylvania documents are issued by Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation (Apostilles & Certifications), currently $15 per document. Originals only bearing the signature and seal of the proper PA official (state registrar); birth certificates need no notarization; mail with the Request for Legalization form or cover letter. Check the official page for current fees and processing times.
Do I translate before or after the apostille?
After. The apostille certifies the signature on the original document, so the translation must cover the document and the apostille together.
Which countries' citizenship can these Pennsylvania documents be used for?
The same apostilled Pennsylvania records are the starting point for Greek, Irish and Polish citizenship by descent, among others. Each country adds its own translation and registration rules.
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