Apostille Your California Diploma or Degree
California diplomas and degrees require notarization before the Secretary of State can attach an apostille. We coordinate both steps — notary and SOS filing — so your credential is ready for foreign employers, universities, or immigration.
- You have a diploma, degree, or official transcript from a California school, college, or university
- A foreign employer, university, visa agency, or immigration authority requires the document to be apostilled
- The destination country is a member of the 1961 Hague Convention
What You Need to Submit
Gather these before submitting. We verify each item during the $45 Document Check.
Original Diploma or Official Transcript
For diplomas: the original or a notarized photocopy. For transcripts: an official sealed copy issued directly by the school registrar — not a student download.
Notarization (Diplomas Only)
Diplomas are not government documents, so a California notary must notarize your signature on a certification statement before the SOS can apostille it. We can coordinate a mobile notary if needed.
Destination Country & Purpose
Some countries require the apostille on the original; others accept notarized copies. Foreign universities often require the transcript version, not the diploma. Let us know the destination and purpose so we verify the right format.
Payment
$175 for standard apostille service. If notarization is needed, a separate notary fee applies (typically $15/signature under California law). The $45 Document Check is credited toward your service.
Price & Turnaround
What’s Included
Notarization Coordination
We assess whether your diploma requires notarization first and can coordinate a California notary if you don’t have one. Notary fee charged separately per California law.
SOS Filing
Once properly notarized (or for sealed transcripts, immediately), we courier to the California SOS Apostille Unit in Sacramento and track through processing.
Return Shipping
USPS Priority return included. FedEx Overnight and international courier available on request for urgent foreign submission deadlines.
- Notarize-first eligibility check — diploma vs. transcript route
- Notarization coordination (if needed, separate notary fee applies)
- Certified delivery to California SOS Sacramento office
- Processing status updates via email or text
- Return USPS Priority shipping included
- Destination country format verification
How Your Diploma Apostille Gets Filed
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Document Check
We assess your document type — diploma, degree, or transcript — and confirm the correct route. Diplomas go notary-first; sealed transcripts may qualify directly.
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Notarization (If Required)
If your diploma needs notarization, we coordinate a California notary. Once signed and notarized, your document is SOS-eligible.
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SOS Filing
We courier to the California Secretary of State Apostille Unit in Sacramento. Standard processing: 5–7 business days from filing.
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Returned to You
The apostilled credential is shipped back to you by USPS Priority, or forwarded internationally if you need direct delivery to a foreign institution.
Diploma Apostille — Common Questions
Why does my diploma need to be notarized before it gets an apostille?
The California Secretary of State can only apostille signatures that are on file with the state — notaries, county clerks, and certain state officials. A diploma bears a university official's signature, which is not on the SOS registry. A California notary notarizes your acknowledgment of the diploma, placing a registered signature on the document that the SOS can then apostille.
Can I apostille a transcript without notarization?
In many cases, yes. If the transcript is issued directly by the school registrar with the registrar's original raised or colored seal, it may qualify for direct apostille without notarization. Student-downloaded PDFs do not qualify. Contact us with your specific institution and transcript format for confirmation.
My employer wants an apostilled degree for a work visa. How long will it take?
Plan for 7–10 business days total: 1–2 days for notarization, 5–7 days for SOS processing, plus shipping time. If you have a visa appointment deadline, mention it — same-day Sacramento filing ($550) can shorten the SOS leg significantly.
Does the apostille go on the diploma itself or on a separate page?
The California SOS attaches the apostille certificate to your document — typically by binding a separate certificate page to the notarized copy or original. The apostille is never written directly on the diploma itself. You'll receive the diploma with the apostille securely attached.
Which countries accept an apostilled California diploma for employment or immigration?
Most Hague Convention member countries accept apostilled academic credentials for employment authorization, work visas, and foreign university enrollment — including Germany, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Australia, and much of Latin America. Countries not in the Hague Convention (China, Qatar, some Gulf states) require embassy legalization instead of an apostille. We confirm the correct authentication path for your destination.
Can I get both my transcript and diploma apostilled at the same time?
Yes — and it's often more efficient. If you need both, submit them together. Each document gets its own apostille. We file simultaneously, keeping the timeline the same as a single document. Pricing is per apostille ($175 each).