Apostille services,
handled start to finish.

What is an apostille?

An apostille is a certificate issued by the California Secretary of State that authenticates a public official's signature on a document so it will be recognized in any of the 129 Hague Convention signatory countries — including Mexico, most of Europe, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Brazil, and Colombia.

An apostille does not validate the contents of the document. It authenticates the signature and seal of the notary or public official who signed it.

Documents we commonly apostille

• Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses (issued by California county offices)
• Divorce decrees and court documents
• Educational documents — diplomas, transcripts, degrees
• Business documents — articles of incorporation, certificates of good standing, powers of attorney
• Adoption documents
• Background checks and FBI reports (federal apostille — separate process)

How it works

1. Bring or send us the document. The document must be an original, signed by a California public official or notarized. Photocopies are not accepted by the Secretary of State.
2. We notarize if needed. Some documents require a current notarization before the apostille can be issued. We'll tell you upfront.
3. We file with the Secretary of State. Standard mail-in (5–8 business days) or in-person at the LA office for rush orders (2–3 business days).
4. Document returned to you. With the apostille attached and ready for international use.

Pricing (all-in)

• Standard service: $175 + $20 California state fee per document
• Rush service (2–3 business days): $275 + $20 state fee
• Additional documents filed at the same time: +$100 each (standard), +$150 each (rush)
• Travel fee if in-home notarization is needed: standard tier applies

Important: California does not permit online apostilles

As of 2026, California has not implemented Remote Online Notarization. All notarizations supporting an apostille must be performed with the notary and signer physically present. Any service advertising fully online California apostilles should be verified carefully.

Frequently asked questions

Can I mail my document to you?

Yes — include a prepaid return envelope (FedEx or USPS Priority with tracking recommended). Call first to confirm requirements for your specific document type.

My document was issued by a federal agency. Can you apostille it?

Federal documents (FBI background checks, USCIS certificates, NARA records) require a federal apostille issued by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not the California Secretary of State. We can refer you to a trusted federal apostille service.

How long does the California Secretary of State take?

Mail-in: currently 5–8 business days from receipt. In-person (LA office): same day. Processing times can change — check the SOS website for current estimates.