California Apostille Services
Start online with a document issued in California. Choose True Copy Processing or Original Document Processing.
From $149 per document · No hidden fees · Tracked shipping included
Two ways to process a California document
- True Copy Processing: begins with an upload and authenticates the notary's certification. Its apostille state may differ from California.
- Original Document Processing: use this when you want the original California document handled through the state-specific route.
- One national service: this page is for California documents and does not represent a local office.
Who issues apostilles in California
Apostilles for public documents that originate in California are issued by the California Secretary of State in Sacramento. Original Document Processing sends your physical document through that office. True Copy Processing works from a scan and is apostilled by the state where our notary is commissioned, which may not be California, because the apostille certifies the notary's signature rather than the California issuing agency.
Issuing authority
California Secretary of State
Office location
Sacramento
Published mail-in processing time
about 3 weeks, as published by the office, not counting transit in either direction
In-person service
The office also serves walk-in requests at its counter.
Processing estimates are published by the California Secretary of State and change without notice. They describe the state's own handling of a mailed request and are separate from our service tiers and from shipping. Apostilles.us is a private service, does not operate an office in California and is not affiliated with the California Secretary of State.
From Order to Apostille in Three Steps
Select the path you want and we handle the processing work in between.
Choose Your Processing Path
Start with a digital upload for True Copy Processing or select Original Document Processing for physical-document intake.
Online ordering takes about 2 minutes
We Prepare and Process It
We prepare the selected service package and coordinate the apostille process from submission through completion.
Priority options available
Receive Your Completed Document
The completed document is returned to you or your recipient using the tracked shipping selected in the order.
Domestic and international delivery
Choose the Turnaround You Need
Priority Express
As fast as 1 business day
Standard Priority
2-3 business days
Economy Standard
4-6 business days
Select True Copy or Original Document Processing during the order.
Common California Document Types
Most requests for California documents fall into one of these groups. Government-issued certified copies are apostilled on the state's certification; privately signed documents are notarized first and apostilled on the notary's certification.
California birth certificate apostille
A certified copy issued by the California vital records office or the county registrar. A certified birth certificate is apostilled on the registrar's certification under Original Document Processing; a clear scan is enough to start True Copy Processing.
Read the guideCalifornia marriage certificate apostille
A certified copy of a marriage certificate recorded in California, issued by the state vital records office or the clerk that recorded the marriage. Commonly needed for residency, spousal visas and name changes abroad.
Read the guideCalifornia death certificate apostille
A certified copy of a death certificate issued in California, used for foreign estates, pensions, insurance claims and property transfers. Certified copies are apostilled without additional notarization under Original Document Processing.
Read the guideCalifornia divorce decree apostille
A certified copy of the decree from the California court that granted the divorce, bearing the clerk's certification. Required when remarrying abroad or updating civil status in another country.
Read the guideCalifornia court order apostille
Certified court orders and judgments from California courts, including name changes, adoptions and custody orders, certified by the clerk of the issuing court.
Read the guideCalifornia power of attorney apostille
Powers of attorney and other privately signed documents are notarized by a commissioned notary first; the apostille is then issued on the notary's certification. Remote online notarization can be added to the order.
Read the guideCalifornia diploma and transcript apostille
Diplomas and transcripts from California schools, colleges and universities are private documents: the registrar's signed copy or a notarized true copy is authenticated, then apostilled for study, licensing or employment abroad.
Read the guideCalifornia corporate document apostille
Articles of incorporation, certificates of good standing, bylaws and other California business documents, either certified by the state or notarized before the apostille is issued.
Read the guideStart Your California Apostille Order
Choose the processing path you want and submit your order online.
Never mail your original documents
We process apostilles from a notarized true copy of your uploaded scan. Your birth certificate, diploma, or FBI report never leaves your hands, so it can never be lost in the mail.
How true copy processing worksCalifornia Apostille Questions
Need your apostille issued through California specifically?
True Copy Processing may produce an apostille from a different state because it authenticates the notary's certification. Use Original Document Processing when you need the California-specific route.
Switch to Original Document ProcessingStart Online
True Copy Processing begins with an upload. Original Document Processing includes mailing instructions after ordering.
Tracked Delivery
Domestic and international tracked shipping options are selected in the order.
Continue Exploring
Apostilles.us is a private document-processing service and is not affiliated with a government agency or a physical office in California.