California Apostille: Fees, Processing Time & How to Order (2026)
California apostilles are issued by the California Secretary of State for $20 per document. Mail orders take about 10–15 business days; same-day counter service is available — same-day counter service in sacramento and los angeles.. Documents headed to a non-Hague country need authentication and embassy legalization instead of an apostille.
| Government fee | $20 per document |
|---|---|
| Competent authority | California Secretary of State |
| Mail processing | 10–15 business days |
| Counter option | same-day counter service — Same-day counter service in Sacramento and Los Angeles. |
| County pre-certification | Not required |
| Payment | check, money order, credit card |
| Official page | California Secretary of State → |
Check your exact California steps
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Step-by-step: order a California apostille by mail
- Get the right certified copy. California birth, death and marriage certificates come from CDPH Vital Records or the county recorder; the copy must be a certified copy, not an informational copy.
- Prepare a cover sheet. Include a signed cover sheet naming the destination country, payment payable to the authority above, and a prepaid return envelope. Confirm exact requirements on the official page linked in sources.
- Add payment. Pay $20 per document by check or money order, payable to the California Secretary of State.
- Include a return envelope. Add a prepaid, trackable return envelope so your apostille comes back safely.
- Mail it to the California Secretary of State and keep your tracking number. Mail turnaround is about 10–15 business days.
Walk-in / same-day option
Same-day counter service in Sacramento and Los Angeles. Bring the certified document, a completed cover sheet, and payment. Counter rules change often, so confirm hours on the official page before you drive in.
Which documents can California apostille?
These are state-issued documents. Each guide covers the exact copy type and steps for that document in California.
| Birth certificate | A certified copy of a birth record, apostilled by the issuing state for use abroad. |
| Diploma / degree certificate | A diploma, typically notarized, apostilled for work or teaching abroad. |
| Marriage certificate | A certified marriage record apostilled by the state that recorded it. |
| Power of attorney | A notarized power of attorney apostilled for property or banking acts abroad. |
| Single status affidavit | A sworn affidavit of no marriage record, apostilled — a near-universal foreign-marriage requirement. |
| Notarized document | Any notarized document (consent letters, copies, statements) apostilled by the state. |
| Academic transcript | A sealed or notarized transcript apostilled for foreign admission or credential evaluation. |
| Death certificate | A certified death record apostilled for foreign probate, insurance, or repatriation. |
| State police / background check | A state criminal-history record apostilled when an FBI check is not demanded. |
| Corporate documents | Articles, good-standing certificates, and resolutions apostilled for foreign business use. |
| Divorce decree / judgment | A court-certified divorce judgment apostilled for remarriage or status proof abroad. |
| Adoption documents / home study | Court-certified or notarized adoption paperwork apostilled for intercountry adoption. |
| Certified translation + affidavit | A translator's notarized affidavit apostilled to accompany a translated document. |
Federal documents are different
Some documents never go to California. FBI background checks, IRS letters (like Form 6166), and naturalization certificates are federal — they go only to the U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications, at $20 per document. If you hold one of these, start at the federal channel guide instead.
Going to a non-Hague country?
If your destination is not a Hague Apostille Convention member, an apostille is not enough. You need the California authority's certification, then US Department of State authentication, then embassy legalization. Use the Country Checker to see your destination's chain, or read apostille vs. authentication.
Common rejection reasons in California
- Submitting a photocopy or a hospital souvenir certificate instead of a certified copy.
- Wrong or missing payment — California expects check or money order payable to the authority.
- No return envelope, or an untracked one, which stalls the whole order.
Frequently asked questions
＋How much does an apostille cost in California?
The California Secretary of State charges $20 per document. That is the government fee only — you pay separately for the certified copy and return shipping. Federal documents cost $20 at the US Department of State instead.
＋How long does a California apostille take?
Mail processing runs about 10–15 business days. You can also use same-day counter service — Same-day counter service in Sacramento and Los Angeles..
＋Can I get a California apostille in person?
Yes. Same-day counter service in Sacramento and Los Angeles. Bring the certified document, payment, and a completed cover sheet.
＋Does an old birth certificate still work for a California apostille?
Age is usually fine as long as it is a current certified copy with the registrar's seal. California birth, death and marriage certificates come from CDPH Vital Records or the county recorder; the copy must be a certified copy, not an informational copy.
＋Do notarized documents need extra steps in California?
No. California apostilles notarized documents directly — there is no county-clerk pre-certification step.
Neighboring states
Sources
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor
Last verified: July 13, 2026 against the California Secretary of State and the HCCH status table(official page). See how we verify and how often on ourmethodology page.
This is informational, not legal advice. The receiving authority sets the final requirements — confirm with them and the office named above before you send anything.