West · CA
The Golden State
How to get an apostille in California
In California, apostilles are issued by the California Secretary of State — Notary Public & Special Filings (Authentications). Here is the process, the state fee, how long it takes, and what a California apostille looks like.
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- Sacramento
- Governor (2026)
- Gavin Newsom
- State flower
- California Poppy
- State bird
- California Quail
Apostille signed by California Secretary of State — Notary Public & Special Filings (Authentications)
Step-by-step: an apostille in California
- 01
Confirm the document is California-issued or notarized by a California notary public.
- 02
If your document is a private document (power of attorney, affidavit, diploma, corporate paperwork), have it notarized first — the California Secretary of State authenticates the notary's commission, not your signature directly. Vital records and court documents skip this step (they are certified by the issuing office instead).
- 03
For vital records, obtain a certified copy from the California Department of Public Health (Vital Records) or the county recorder — note California requires the county clerk to authenticate the registrar's/notary's authority in some cases.
- 04
Complete the apostille/authentication request and identify the destination country.
- 05
Submit by mail to Sacramento or in person at the Sacramento or Los Angeles counter with the fee and a prepaid return envelope.
- 06
Receive the apostille (Hague countries) or certification (non-Hague countries).
California apostille fees & processing time
| Competent authority | California Secretary of State — Notary Public & Special Filings (Authentications) |
|---|---|
| State fee | $20 per document (apostille or authentication) |
| Processing time | Mail-in is roughly 2–4+ weeks; in-person counter service is same-day in Sacramento and Los Angeles. |
| Mailing / submission | Mail to the California Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001. Include the $20-per-document fee, destination country, daytime phone, and a prepaid return envelope. Confirm the current address online. |
Documents commonly apostilled in California
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates (certified copies — California requires special handling for registrar-signed vital records)
- Powers of attorney, affidavits, and single-status declarations
- Diplomas, transcripts, and degrees from California institutions
- Corporate documents — articles, good-standing certificates, resolutions
Federal documents (such as an FBI background check) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not by California.
Specimen
What a California apostille looks like
A California apostille contains the standard 10 fields required by the Hague Convention, naming the California Secretary of State — Notary Public & Special Filings (Authentications) as the issuing authority. Below is an illustrative specimen — it is not a valid document and contains no real data.
See specimens for all states →- 1.Country United States of America
- 2.has been signed by [NAME OF SIGNER]
- 3.acting in the capacity of [CAPACITY — e.g. Notary Public]
- 4.bears the seal / stamp of [ISSUING OFFICIAL / SEAL]
- 5.at [CITY / PLACE]
- 6.the [DATE]
- 7.by California Secretary of State — Notary Public & Special Filings (Authentications)
- 8.No. 0000000
- 9.Seal / Stamp [OFFICIAL SEAL]
- 10.Signature [SIGNATURE]
California apostille FAQ
- How much is a California apostille?
- California charges $20 per apostille or authentication. Notarization (if required) and shipping are additional. Confirm the current fee on the Secretary of State's page.
- Can I get a same-day apostille in California?
- Yes — the Secretary of State offers same-day in-person counter service in Sacramento and Los Angeles. Mail-in requests take considerably longer, often several weeks.
- Why does California sometimes need a county clerk certification first?
- For certain notarized documents, California may require the county clerk to certify the notary's authority before the Secretary of State issues the apostille. Check the official page for which documents this applies to.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information about the California apostille process and may not reflect the latest fees, addresses, or procedures — always confirm with the California Secretary of State — Notary Public & Special Filings (Authentications) via the official source above. The specimen shown is an illustrative example, not an official document.
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