Birth Certificate for Egypt

U.S. Birth Certificates for Egyptian Families

Many Egyptian families have children born in the United States, and many Americans of Egyptian descent need their U.S. birth records in Egypt for inheritance, marriage, schooling or residence. Egyptian offices accept a U.S. birth certificate once it has passed through the full legalization chain, ending with the Egyptian Embassy, because Egypt does not accept apostilles.

Registering a U.S.-born child as an Egyptian

A child born in the U.S. to an Egyptian father or mother is usually registered with the Egyptian authorities so that an Egyptian birth record, national number and later an Egyptian passport can be issued. This is commonly done through the Egyptian Embassy or the consulate covering the place of birth, or in Egypt through the civil status authorities after the family returns. The U.S. birth certificate, legalized for Egypt, is the core document in that file, together with the parents’ Egyptian documents and marriage certificate. Ask the consulate about current requirements and any time limits for registration.

Other uses in Egypt

Inheritance: to prove that a person born in the U.S. is a child of an Egyptian who has died, for the court’s declaration of heirs. Marriage: a foreign or dual-national spouse marrying in Egypt is usually asked for a birth certificate. Schools and universities: for enrollment of children or students. Residence: for foreign family members joining a parent in Egypt.

Order the right copy

Request a certified long-form birth certificate, sometimes called a full or vault copy, from the vital records office of the state of birth, or the county office where the state allows it. Egyptian offices want both parents’ names, which some short-form abstracts leave out. Hospital certificates and informational copies cannot be legalized. Check that the parents’ names match their Egyptian documents. Transliteration differences are common, and an affidavit linking the spellings can prevent a refusal.

The legalization chain

A birth certificate is a state record, so it is never notarized. The state where the birth was recorded authenticates the certified copy, the U.S. Department of State authenticates the state, and the Egyptian Embassy, or the consulate covering that state, legalizes it. In Egypt, it is translated into Arabic and may be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before it is presented to the civil status office or court.