California Apostille by Mail

Where to Mail a California Apostille Request

The California Secretary of State Notary Public Section accepts mail apostille requests in Sacramento. Address depends on carrier — the SOS uses two physical intakes that are not interchangeable.

What to Include in the Mail Package

1. The eligible document. A California-issued certified copy (CDPH, county, court, or university registrar) or a document with a California notary acknowledgement.
2. An apostille cover sheet identifying the destination country for each apostille requested. One cover sheet per destination country — separate cover sheets are required if documents are headed to two different countries.
3. Payment. Check or money order payable to “Secretary of State” for $20 per apostille, plus $6 per additional public-official signature being authenticated on the same document. Mail intake does not accept cash or credit cards.
4. A self-addressed return envelope. Tracked carrier preferred (FedEx, UPS, USPS Priority) with prepaid label; basic stamped envelope works for non-time-sensitive returns.
5. Optional cover letter with contact information, special handling notes, and the destination country (redundant but useful for SOS triage).

How Long the Mail Route Takes

Mail apostille processing time is set by the Secretary of State and varies with current backlog. The Secretary of State posted processing time is the only authoritative source — checking it before mailing is the single best way to set a realistic delivery date. See also current processing timelines for in-person versus mail context.

For time-sensitive documents, the same-day in-person route at the Sacramento or Los Angeles public counter is the alternative. Apostille San Francisco can run the in-person filing on a client’s behalf when mail timing is not workable.

What Apostille San Francisco Handles for a Mail Filing

1. Eligibility verification via the $35 Document Check (credited 100% to your apostille service) — confirms the document is in California-acceptable form, notary acknowledgement is valid, and routing is correct for the destination country.
2. Package preparation — apostille cover sheet, payment instrument made out correctly, self-addressed tracked return envelope, and carrier match to address.
3. Carrier-correct dispatch from San Francisco to the correct Sacramento intake.
4. Tracking and follow-up against the current Secretary of State posted processing time.
5. Secure receipt and return to the client by tracked carrier on apostille issuance. International forwarding available where the destination country requires direct shipment.

The Five Most Common Mail Rejections (and the Fix)

1. USPS package addressed to the 11th Street street address. The SOS street intake is for private carriers only. USPS rejects delivery, the package returns to the sender. Fix: USPS goes to P.O. Box 942877.
2. Private-carrier package addressed to the P.O. Box. FedEx, UPS, and DHL cannot deliver to a P.O. Box. Package returns. Fix: private carriers go to 1500 11th Street, 2nd Floor.
3. Check made out to the wrong payee. The check must read “Secretary of State” — not “California Secretary of State”, not “State of California”, not “CA SOS”. A wrong payee triggers return.
4. Missing or vague cover sheet. Each apostille request needs a cover sheet naming the destination country. Without it, SOS may default to a generic apostille that the destination then refuses.
5. Photocopy in place of a certified copy. Vital records (birth, marriage, death) must be on a CDPH or county certified copy — photocopies are rejected at the mail intake.

California Apostille by Mail FAQ

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