Apostille San Francisco
Taking new files today(415) 439-0289
Apostille for Germany · from California documents
Germany.
Germany.
Hague since 1966.
No consulate step.
Germany has accepted the Hague apostille since 1966. The Federal Foreign Office states that German missions do not legalize documents from Convention countries; the apostille from the issuing U.S. authority is the whole step. We check the certified copy underneath before the fee.
At a glance
RouteHague apostille · California Secretary of State
ConsulateGerman missions do not legalize U.S. documents (Federal Foreign Office)
DocumentsBirth, marriage, death certificates · degrees and transcripts · FBI background checks (federal route) · powers of attorney · corporate documents
TranslationPer the Federal Foreign Office, translations should be done by a sworn or certified translator in Germany, and a translation cannot itself be apostilled. We apostille the original; the translation is arranged for the German side.
Price$180 mail-in · $450 same-day · $650 for 3
Before you send anything
What the counter accepts for Germany.
Each line is a real rejection we screen for in the $45 Document Check.
01Certified copy from the county recorder or CDPH, not a hospital or informational copy.
02Current signing official. The Secretary of State authenticates only signatures it has on file.
03Notarized first if it is a power of attorney, affidavit or copy certification.
04Translation is not a public document. The Federal Foreign Office states translations cannot receive an apostille or be legalized, and should be made by a sworn or certified translator in Germany. The receiving German authority may also ask for its own proof of authenticity; we confirm with it before filing.
$6503 documents · one emergency trip · filed together
Citizenship and residency sets
Birth certificates, background checks and degrees, filed together in one Sacramento trip.
Returned tracked, with status updates, to Germany or wherever you are. Price confirmed before any work begins.
Asked on nearly every Germany call.
01Does the German consulate in San Francisco still need to legalize it?
No. Germany has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 13 February 1966. The Federal Foreign Office states that the apostille is issued by the designated authorities of the state that issued the document and that German missions do not legalize documents from Convention countries.
02Can you apostille the German translation too?
No, and neither can anyone else: the Federal Foreign Office states that translations are not public documents and cannot receive an apostille or be legalized. The apostille goes on the original certified copy; the translation should be made by a sworn or certified translator in Germany.
03Which documents do people usually send to Germany?
Birth and marriage certificates for citizenship, marriage and registration; FBI background checks and degrees for residence permits and employment; powers of attorney and corporate documents for property and business. Federal records go to the U.S. Department of State, everything California-issued to the Secretary of State in Sacramento.
04I live in Germany already. Can you do the whole thing without me?
Yes. Order the certified copy from the county or the state and have it shipped to our office at 416 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, or mail us what you already hold. We check it, file it, and ship the finished apostille tracked to your address in Germany. International delivery is quoted per destination before we start, and we can keep you updated by WhatsApp if you prefer.