Apostille San Francisco sealApostille San Francisco
Taking new files today(415) 439-0289
Direct Answer · Superior Court certified copy

California
Divorce Decree Apostille

A California divorce decree apostille is issued by the California Secretary of State on a court-certified copy from the Superior Court of California in the county where the divorce was filed. Some destinations require a county clerk certification of the judge’s signature before the apostille is accepted. Fee: $20 per apostille, plus a $6 special handling fee for each different public official’s signature on in-person requests.

Run the $45 Document CheckTalk to a Specialist
At a glance
Issued bySuperior Court of California · county where the divorce was filed
Copy typeCertified copy only · not conformed or filed
State fee$20 per apostille · $6 per official’s signature in person
Out-of-stateApostilled by that state’s · Secretary of State
Price$180 mail-in · $450 same-day · $650 for 3
Divorce Decree Readiness Gate

Four checks before you file

Pre-Check the Decree
01Copy is court-certified — clerk’s signature, raised or color seal, and certification line (“I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original on file in this office”).
02Divorce was finalized — interlocutory judgments are not the final decree.
03Destination accepts the apostille directly, or requires county clerk certification of the judge’s signature first. Mexico, Italy, and the Philippines commonly require this extra step.
04Destination is a Hague Convention party. If not, the document needs embassy or consulate legalization.
Issuing court

Where to Get a Certified California Divorce Decree

From the Superior Court of California in the county where the divorce was filed. Each county has its own family-law records office (typically inside or adjacent to the Civic Center / courthouse).

Request a “certified copy” — not a “conformed copy” and not a “filed copy.” Only the certified copy carries the clerk’s certification line and seal that the apostille will authenticate.

Extra step

County Clerk Certification — When It Is Required

Some destination countries — notably Mexico, Italy, the Philippines, and several Eastern European countries — require an additional step before the apostille: the county clerk certifies the judge’s signature on the decree, then the Secretary of State apostilles the county clerk’s certification.

This two-step is sometimes called the “judge’s signature certification” or “chain certification.” The Secretary of State authenticates the signatures of California public officials, including Superior Court judges, executive officers and clerks as well as county clerks and the State Registrar. The county clerk’s certification of the judge’s signature is added when the destination requires it.

If the destination country accepts the apostille on the court-certified copy directly (most European Hague members), the county clerk step is skipped. Confirm the requirement with the destination consulate before requesting.

Why clients need it

Common Uses for an Apostilled California Divorce Decree

01Re-marriage abroad — destination registrar requires proof the prior marriage is legally dissolved.
02Name change recording abroad — Italian comune, Mexican Registro Civil, Philippine PSA registry updates.
03Foreign residency status changes when residency was based on the prior marriage.
04Inheritance and estate proceedings where divorce status affects entitlement under foreign law.
05Child custody or international relocation — destination court requires certified U.S. divorce decree as the underlying basis.
Rejection traps

Common Rejections

01Conformed or filed copy submitted instead of certified copy.
02Interlocutory judgment submitted — only the final decree is apostille-eligible for marital-status purposes.
03Apostille requested without county clerk certification of judge’s signature when destination required it.
04Out-of-state divorce decree sent to California.
05Destination is non-Hague and required embassy or consulate legalization.
How we handle it

How Apostille San Francisco Handles Divorce Decree Apostilles

01$45 Document Check verifies court-certification, county-clerk-step requirement for the destination, and Hague status.
02County clerk certification coordination when required — we route the decree through the relevant county clerk first.
03Counter or mail filing at the California Secretary of State — see Sacramento Secretary of State office.
04Tracked return delivery; international forwarding when required.
05Translation coordination separately when the destination requires a certified translation alongside the apostille.
$45Document Check · $20 applied toward your apostille
Before SOS fees are spent

Start with the $45 Document Check

Apostille San Francisco verifies your documents are filing-ready before California Secretary of State fees are spent. The $45 Document Check is $20 applied toward your apostille when you proceed; non-refundable if the document is declined.

Apostille issuance is by the California Secretary of State. Apostille San Francisco is a private filing service; not a government agency; no legal advice. Outcomes are not guaranteed.

Run the $45 Document CheckTalk to a Specialist

California Divorce Decree Apostille FAQ

01

How do I get an apostille on a California divorce decree?

Request a certified copy from the Superior Court of California in the county where the divorce was filed. Confirm whether the destination country requires county clerk certification of the judge’s signature before the apostille (Mexico, Italy, the Philippines, and several Eastern European countries commonly do). Submit the certified copy to the California Secretary of State Notary Public Section — Sacramento (1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor), Los Angeles (300 South Spring Street), or by mail to P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento. Fee is $20 per apostille, plus a $6 special handling fee for each different public official’s signature on in-person requests.
02

What is the difference between a certified copy and a conformed copy?

A certified copy carries the court clerk’s certification line, signature, and seal — “I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original on file in this office.” A conformed copy is a duplicate of what was filed, but without that certification. Only the certified copy is apostille-eligible.
03

Why does Mexico require an extra step for California divorce decrees?

Mexico, Italy, the Philippines, and several other countries require the apostille to authenticate a county clerk’s certification of the judge’s signature, rather than the judge’s signature directly. The California Secretary of State only apostilles signatures of designated public officials — such as county clerks, state registrars, and Superior Court clerks, executive officers and judges. The county clerk certifies that the judge’s signature on the decree is genuine; the Secretary of State then apostilles the county clerk’s certification.
04

How long does a California divorce decree apostille take?

The California Secretary of State step is dynamic — check sos.ca.gov/notary/processing-times for the live posted timeline. Walk-in filings are typically same-day when capacity allows. The court certification step at the Superior Court has its own timeline; the county clerk certification step adds another business day in most counties. Outcomes are not guaranteed by Apostille San Francisco.
05

Can I apostille an interlocutory divorce judgment?

Generally no, for marital-status purposes. Most foreign authorities require the final decree (Judgment of Dissolution), not the interlocutory judgment. The interlocutory document is technically court-certified but does not establish the dissolution of the marriage. Confirm with the destination authority what document satisfies its requirement.
06

Can I apostille an out-of-state divorce decree in California?

No. The California Secretary of State only authenticates California-court-issued documents. A divorce decree issued by a Texas or Nevada court must be apostilled by that state’s Secretary of State.
07

Does the apostille need translation?

The California Secretary of State does not certify translations. Translation is completed separately — typically the certified decree is apostilled first, then translated by a certified translator. Some destinations require the translation itself to be notarized and apostilled. Confirm the sequence with the destination consulate before filing.
Call now$45 Document Check
Apostille San FranciscoCA Secretary of State apostille service Start Document Check Call (415) 439-0289