Apostille a birth or marriage certificate in Panama
We order the certificate from the Civil Registry and get it apostilled at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You receive it ready for the country where you will file it.
- Authority
- Electoral Tribunal (Civil Registry) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- How it is filed
- Mixed: certificate at an office, kiosk or authorized outlet; apostille online
- Typical timeframe
- Varies: a standard certificate can be same day; a full copy takes longer
- Fee from
- From US$50 per document, plus official fees and the cost of the certificate
Who it is for
- Citizenship, residency or visa applicantsFor example, Italian or Spanish citizenship by descent, or a residency that asks for a birth certificate.
- Couples marrying or divorcing abroadYou must prove your civil status or register a Panamanian marriage in another country.
- Families handling an estate or pension abroadA bank, court or insurer needs an apostilled death or birth certificate.
Problems we solve
- The consulate rejected your certificate because it was too old.
- You are asked for a full copy and only have the standard certificate.
- You have an old yellow certificate that is no longer accepted.
- You live outside Panama and cannot go to the Civil Registry.
- You need certificates for several generations for a citizenship case.
- You do not know whether the destination accepts the electronic apostille.
Who issues the certificate and how to get it
In Panama, birth, marriage and death certificates are issued by the National Civil Registry Office of the Electoral Tribunal (Tribunal Electoral).
A birth certificate is requested with the holder's cédula (ID) number or the parents' cédula, according to Panamá Digital. It is issued at regional offices, the El Dorado Civil Registry office, passport offices and some supermarkets. If someone else requests it, they need a notarized authorization.
The Electoral Tribunal also runs self-service kiosks that issue birth, marriage and death certificates, paid by card.
Standard certificate or full copy
The standard certificate summarizes the registry entry. The full copy (copia íntegra) reproduces the whole record. Some consulates and foreign registries ask for the full copy, especially for citizenship.
According to the Civil Registry services page, certifications requested at the Registry's Secretaría cost B/.10.00, plus B/.3.00 in stamps, and take about 8 business days. We confirm how the full copy is requested in your case.
Before ordering anything, confirm which type your destination requires. Ordering the wrong one costs time and a second apostille.
Validity: Panama's rule and what other countries ask
Since 2022 the Civil Registry issues electronic certificates on plain paper, validated online. Old yellow certificates are no longer accepted, as reported by La Prensa.
The Electoral Tribunal stated that birth and death certificates are valid for 60 days and marriage certificates for 90 days, as reported by Telemetro. Each certificate allows three online validations.
Many consulates and foreign offices also want a recent certificate. It is best to order it right before the apostille and file it soon after.
The apostille on the certificate
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs apostilles the signature of the Electoral Tribunal official. Under its fee schedule, Electoral Tribunal certificates and full copies pay B/.3.00 in stamp fees plus B/.2.00 for the apostille.
The apostille is valid in Hague Convention countries. For other countries, see document apostille in Panama. If your case is Italian citizenship, see also our Italy page.
Requirements
- The holder's cédula number, or the parents' cédula, to request a birth certificate. Official source
- A notarized authorization from the holder if someone else requests the certificate. Official source
- For certifications at the Civil Registry Secretaría: written request, form, copy of the cédula and B/.3.00 in stamps. Official source
- A current certificate signed by an Electoral Tribunal official, for the apostille. Official source
- A signed authorization so we can request the apostille on your behalf.
Steps and timeframes
-
We confirm which certificate you need
We handle itWe check the country, the receiving office and whether they want a standard certificate or a full copy.
1 business day
-
You authorize us
You handle itYou sign a notarized authorization and send us a copy of your cédula or passport.
-
We order the certificate
We handle itAt the Civil Registry, a kiosk or an authorized outlet, depending on the type.
-
The Civil Registry issues it
The authority handles itA standard certificate is usually immediate. A full copy takes longer.
Same day to about 8 business days
-
We request the apostille
We handle itWe file the certificate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and pay the apostille and stamp fees.
-
We deliver the apostilled certificate
We handle itAs a PDF by email or a paper original by courier, depending on what the destination accepts.
Costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate Official source | B/.3.00 |
| Certification from the Civil Registry Secretaría Official source | B/.10.00, plus B/.3.00 in stamps |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs apostille, per document Official source | B/.2.00 |
| Stamp fee: Electoral Tribunal certificates Official source | B/.3.00 |
| Tramita Todo fee | From US$50 per document, plus official fees and the cost of the certificate |
The balboa (B/.) is at par with the US dollar. Fees can change: we confirm them when we review your case. Courier and translation are quoted separately.
What our service includes
- Confirmation of the certificate type your destination requires.
- Ordering the certificate from the Civil Registry.
- Apostille request and payment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Delivery of the apostilled certificate as a PDF or paper original.
- Updates in writing by WhatsApp or email.
What it does not include
- Electoral Tribunal and Ministry fees.
- Corrections or late registrations at the Civil Registry.
- Certified translation and international courier.
- The citizenship or residency application in the other country.
Who handles your case
- Handling procedures before Panamanian authorities since 2008.
- Certified public accountants on our team.
- Our own office in Obarrio, Panama City.
- We also serve clients who live outside Panama.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to apostille a Panamanian birth certificate?
The apostille costs B/.2.00 and the stamp fee for an Electoral Tribunal certificate is B/.3.00, according to the Ministry. The birth certificate costs B/.3.00, and a certification from the Civil Registry Secretaría costs B/.10.00 plus stamps. Our fee is from US$50 per document.
How long is a Panamanian birth certificate valid?
The Electoral Tribunal stated that birth and death certificates are valid for 60 days and marriage certificates for 90 days. The destination country may also ask for a recent certificate. Order it shortly before the apostille.
Can I get the certificate and the apostille online?
The apostille has had an electronic version since May 2025, sent by email. The certificate is issued at Electoral Tribunal offices, kiosks and authorized outlets. We confirm whether your destination accepts a certificate with an electronic apostille.
Is an old yellow certificate still valid?
No. Since August 1, 2022 the Electoral Tribunal no longer accepts yellow certificates for any procedure. You need a new electronic-format certificate before the apostille.
Can you order the certificate if I live outside Panama?
Yes. With your notarized authorization and a copy of your ID, we order and apostille it here. See the process in apostille from abroad.
Can a death certificate be apostilled?
Yes. A death certificate is an Electoral Tribunal certificate and is apostilled the same way as a birth certificate. It is often needed for estates, pensions and insurance abroad.