{"id":2801,"date":"2026-03-12T20:27:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T20:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/?page_id=2801"},"modified":"2026-07-24T14:30:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T14:30:30","slug":"how-to-get-an-apostille-in-california","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/how-to-get-an-apostille-in-california\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Apostille California"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/how-to-get-an-apostille-in-california\/#webpage\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/how-to-get-an-apostille-in-california\/\",\n      \"name\": \"How to Get Apostille California\",\n      \"isPartOf\": {\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/#website\"\n      },\n      \"about\": {\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/#legalservice\"\n      },\n      \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n      \"speakable\": {\n        \"@type\": \"SpeakableSpecification\",\n        \"cssSelector\": [\n          \"#direct-answer\"\n        ]\n      },\n      \"breadcrumb\": {\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/how-to-get-an-apostille-in-california\/#breadcrumb\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"HowTo\",\n      \"name\": \"How to Get an Apostille in California\",\n      \"description\": \"Step-by-step process for obtaining a California apostille from the Secretary of State.\",\n      \"step\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"position\": 1,\n          \"name\": \"Identify Your Document Type\",\n          \"text\": \"Determine whether your document is a California public record, a California-notarized document, or a federal document. Each routes differently \u2014 only California-issued and California-notarized documents go to the California Secretary of State.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"position\": 2,\n          \"name\": \"Confirm the Destination Country\",\n          \"text\": \"Hague Convention member countries accept an apostille. Non-Hague countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam) require embassy legalization instead. Confirm your destination before filing.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"position\": 3,\n          \"name\": \"Verify Document Format\",\n          \"text\": \"Vital records require a certified copy from CDPH or the county recorder \u2014 not a photocopy. Notarized documents must use correct California acknowledgement wording with venue line, commission expiration, and notary seal.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"position\": 4,\n          \"name\": \"File at the California Secretary of State\",\n          \"text\": \"Submit at the Sacramento SOS counter (1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor) for same-day processing, or mail in. The state fee is $20 per apostille plus $6 per additional public-official signature.\"\n        }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How long does a California apostille take?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Same-day when eligibility and SOS capacity align \u2014 in-person at the Sacramento counter. Mail-in follows current SOS posted timeframes, typically 5\u201310 business days from the date of filing.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How much does a California apostille cost?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"The state fee is $20 per apostille plus $6 per additional public-official signature on the document. Service fees start at $175 for standard mail-in and $380 for same-day Sacramento courier filing.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Where do I file for a California apostille?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"The primary filing location is the California Secretary of State, 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814. 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.cc-right{text-align:left}\n  .asf-h .step-row{grid-template-columns:52px 1fr}\n  .asf-h .step-tag{display:none}\n  .asf-h .acc-body{padding:0 16px 18px 52px}\n  .asf-h .ctas{flex-direction:column;align-items:stretch;margin-left:16px;margin-right:16px}\n  .asf-h .btn-call,.asf-h .btn-ghost{justify-content:center}\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"asf-h\">\n\n  <div class=\"logo-medal\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/asf-official-logo-site-vs-copy.jpg\" alt=\"Apostille San Francisco\">\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"crumbs\"><a href=\"\/\">Home<\/a> \u203a How to Get an Apostille in California<\/div>\n\n  <!-- HERO -->\n  <div class=\"hdr-wrap\">\n    <div class=\"hdr\">\n      <div class=\"kicker\">\n        <span class=\"kr\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"kt\">California SOS \u00b7 1500 11th St Sacramento \u00b7 $20 State Fee<\/span>\n        <span class=\"kr\"><\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <h1>How to Get an Apostille in California<\/h1>\n      <p id=\"direct-answer\" class=\"hero-sub\">Submit a California-issued certified document or California-notarized document to the Secretary of State in Sacramento. Four steps \u2014 and the most common rejection causes, so you don&#8217;t have to learn them the hard way.<\/p>\n      <div class=\"hero-meta\">\n        <span class=\"pill\"><span class=\"dot\"><\/span> Same-day Sacramento filing available<\/span>\n        <span class=\"pill gold\">State fee: $20 per apostille<\/span>\n        <span class=\"pill\">&#x1f4cd; 416 Bryant St, San Francisco<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"ctas\">\n    <a class=\"btn-call\" href=\"tel:+14154390289\">&#x1f4de; Call (415) 439-0289<\/a>\n    <a class=\"btn-ghost\" href=\"\/apostille-document-check\/\">Start $45 Document Check<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-- 4-STEP PROCESS -->\n  <div class=\"tc-wrap\"><div class=\"tc\"><h2>Four-Step California Apostille Process<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n  <div class=\"steps-wrap\">\n\n    <div class=\"step-row\">\n      <div class=\"step-num\">1<\/div>\n      <div class=\"step-body\">\n        <h3>Identify Your Document Type<\/h3>\n        <p>California public records (birth, death, marriage, court), California-notarized documents, or federal documents \u2014 each routes differently. Only California-issued and California-notarized documents go to the California SOS. Federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State OSCA.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"step-tag\">First step<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"step-row\">\n      <div class=\"step-num\">2<\/div>\n      <div class=\"step-body\">\n        <h3>Confirm the Destination Country<\/h3>\n        <p>Hague Convention member countries accept an apostille. Non-Hague countries \u2014 UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Qatar \u2014 require embassy legalization instead. An apostille issued for a non-Hague country will be rejected. Confirm before filing.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"step-tag\">Critical check<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"step-row\">\n      <div class=\"step-num\">3<\/div>\n      <div class=\"step-body\">\n        <h3>Verify Document Format<\/h3>\n        <p>Vital records require a <strong style=\"color:#fff\">certified copy from CDPH or the county recorder<\/strong> \u2014 photocopies are rejected on sight. Notarized documents must include correct California acknowledgement wording: venue line, commission expiration date, and notary seal.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"step-tag\">Before filing<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"step-row\">\n      <div class=\"step-num\">4<\/div>\n      <div class=\"step-body\">\n        <h3>File at the California Secretary of State<\/h3>\n        <p>In-person at the Sacramento counter (1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor) for same-day processing. Mail-in follows current SOS posted timeframes. State fee: <strong style=\"color:#fff\">$20 per apostille<\/strong> + $6 per additional public-official signature. We handle the Sacramento trip.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"step-tag\">Day of filing<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-- SOS COUNTER INFO -->\n  <div class=\"tc-wrap\"><div class=\"tc\"><h2>California SOS Filing Locations<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n  <div class=\"sos-grid\">\n\n    <div class=\"sos-card\">\n      <h3>&#x1f3db;&#xfe0f; Sacramento \u2014 Primary Counter<\/h3>\n      <div class=\"sos-row\"><span class=\"sr-label\">Address<\/span><span class=\"sr-val\">1500 11th St, 3rd Floor<\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sos-row\"><span class=\"sr-label\">City<\/span><span class=\"sr-val\">Sacramento, CA 95814<\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sos-row\"><span class=\"sr-label\">Same-day filing<\/span><span class=\"sr-val green\">Yes, when capacity allows<\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sos-row\"><span class=\"sr-label\">State fee<\/span><span class=\"sr-val\">$20 + $6\/extra signature<\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sos-row\"><span class=\"sr-label\">Payment<\/span><span class=\"sr-val\">Check, money order, credit card<\/span><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"sos-card\">\n      <h3>&#x1f3d9;&#xfe0f; Los Angeles \u2014 Regional Counter<\/h3>\n      <div class=\"sos-row\"><span class=\"sr-label\">Address<\/span><span class=\"sr-val\">300 S Spring St, Room 12513<\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sos-row\"><span class=\"sr-label\">City<\/span><span class=\"sr-val\">Los Angeles, CA 90013<\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sos-row\"><span class=\"sr-label\">Walk-in<\/span><span class=\"sr-val green\">Yes, published schedule<\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sos-row\"><span class=\"sr-label\">Cash accepted<\/span><span class=\"sr-val\" style=\"color:#FCA5A5\">No \u2014 cards\/checks only<\/span><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sos-row\"><span class=\"sr-label\">State fee<\/span><span class=\"sr-val\">Same $20 + $6\/extra signature<\/span><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-- CONCIERGE PACKAGE -->\n  <div class=\"tc-wrap\"><div class=\"tc\"><h2>3-Apostille Concierge Package<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n  <div class=\"concierge-wrap\">\n    <div class=\"concierge-card\">\n      <div class=\"cc-left\">\n        <h3>&#x2b50; Signature Concierge \u2014 3 Apostilles<\/h3>\n        <p>Built for jure sanguinis dual citizenship applicants who need apostilles on birth, marriage, and death records for the U.S.-born ancestor in the lineage chain. All three handled end-to-end at the fastest service possible.<\/p>\n        <ul>\n          <li>Up to 3 apostilles \u2014 all-inclusive<\/li>\n          <li>$45 Document Check on each (included)<\/li>\n          <li>Same-day Sacramento courier filing<\/li>\n          <li>All state fees included<\/li>\n          <li>Tracked return shipping included<\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"cc-right\">\n        <div class=\"cc-price\"><span class=\"cc-dollar\">$<\/span>550<\/div>\n        <div class=\"cc-per\">all-inclusive \u00b7 up to 3 apostilles<\/div>\n        <a class=\"btn-call\" href=\"tel:+14154390289\" style=\"font-size:13px;padding:12px 20px;\">&#x1f4de; Call to Book<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-- FAILURE REASONS -->\n  <div class=\"tc-wrap\"><div class=\"tc\"><h2>Most Common California Apostille Rejections<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n  <div class=\"fail-grid\">\n\n    <div class=\"fail-card\">\n      <div class=\"fc-head\"><div class=\"fc-x\">\u2715<\/div><h3>Wrong Notary Wording<\/h3><\/div>\n      <p>California requires specific acknowledgement wording \u2014 venue line, commission expiration, and notary seal. Out-of-state or incomplete wording is rejected. Re-notarize on a California form before filing.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"fail-card\">\n      <div class=\"fc-head\"><div class=\"fc-x\">\u2715<\/div><h3>Photocopy Submitted<\/h3><\/div>\n      <p>Vital records always require a certified copy from CDPH or the county recorder. A photocopy \u2014 regardless of quality \u2014 is rejected on sight without review.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"fail-card\">\n      <div class=\"fc-head\"><div class=\"fc-x\">\u2715<\/div><h3>Non-Hague Destination<\/h3><\/div>\n      <p>An apostille issued for a non-Hague country (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam) won&#8217;t be accepted at the destination. Switch to embassy legalization before filing.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"fail-card\">\n      <div class=\"fc-head\"><div class=\"fc-x\">\u2715<\/div><h3>FBI Check at California SOS<\/h3><\/div>\n      <p>The California SOS does not apostille federal documents. FBI Identity History Summary reports must go to the U.S. Department of State OSCA in Washington D.C.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-- FAQ -->\n  <div class=\"tc-wrap\"><div class=\"tc\"><h2>California Apostille FAQ<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n  <div class=\"acc-wrap\">\n\n    <details class=\"acc-item\">\n      <summary>\n        <div class=\"acc-num\">1<\/div>\n        <div class=\"acc-q\">How long does a California apostille take?<\/div>\n        <div class=\"acc-chevron\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 12 8\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M1 1l5 5 5-5\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n      <\/summary>\n      <div class=\"acc-body\">\n        <p><strong>Same-day<\/strong> when eligibility and SOS capacity align \u2014 in-person at the Sacramento counter. <strong>Mail-in<\/strong> follows current SOS posted timeframes, typically 5\u201310 business days from the date of filing. Our Sacramento courier service files in-person so you get same-day results without making the drive.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"acc-item\">\n      <summary>\n        <div class=\"acc-num\">2<\/div>\n        <div class=\"acc-q\">How much does a California apostille cost?<\/div>\n        <div class=\"acc-chevron\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 12 8\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M1 1l5 5 5-5\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n      <\/summary>\n      <div class=\"acc-body\">\n        <p>The <strong>state fee<\/strong> is $20 per apostille + $6 per additional public-official signature on the document. Service fees: <strong>$175<\/strong> standard mail-in \u00b7 <strong>$245<\/strong> notary + apostille (mail-in) \u00b7 <strong>$380<\/strong> same-day Sacramento courier (notary included). The $45 Document Check is credited toward your service fee. <a href=\"\/california-apostille-pricing\/\">Full pricing \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"acc-item\">\n      <summary>\n        <div class=\"acc-num\">3<\/div>\n        <div class=\"acc-q\">Where do I file for a California apostille?<\/div>\n        <div class=\"acc-chevron\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 12 8\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M1 1l5 5 5-5\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n      <\/summary>\n      <div class=\"acc-body\">\n        <p>Primary: <strong>California Secretary of State, 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814<\/strong>. Regional: <strong>300 South Spring Street, Room 12513, Los Angeles<\/strong> (walk-ins on published schedule, no cash). We file at Sacramento in-person on your behalf.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"acc-item\">\n      <summary>\n        <div class=\"acc-num\">4<\/div>\n        <div class=\"acc-q\">Can the California SOS apostille my FBI background check?<\/div>\n        <div class=\"acc-chevron\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 12 8\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M1 1l5 5 5-5\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n      <\/summary>\n      <div class=\"acc-body\">\n        <p><strong>No.<\/strong> FBI Identity History Summary reports are federal documents and must go through the U.S. Department of State OSCA in Washington D.C. Filing with California SOS results in rejection. See the <a href=\"\/fbi-background-check-apostille-california\/\">FBI background check apostille guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"acc-item\">\n      <summary>\n        <div class=\"acc-num\">5<\/div>\n        <div class=\"acc-q\">My document is going to a non-Hague country \u2014 what do I do?<\/div>\n        <div class=\"acc-chevron\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 12 8\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M1 1l5 5 5-5\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n      <\/summary>\n      <div class=\"acc-body\">\n        <p>An apostille will not be accepted by non-Hague countries \u2014 UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Qatar, and others. Those documents require <strong>U.S. Department of State authentication<\/strong> followed by <strong>embassy or consulate legalization<\/strong>. Call us to confirm the correct route for your destination country.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"acc-item\">\n      <summary>\n        <div class=\"acc-num\">6<\/div>\n        <div class=\"acc-q\">What California documents qualify for an apostille?<\/div>\n        <div class=\"acc-chevron\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 12 8\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M1 1l5 5 5-5\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n      <\/summary>\n      <div class=\"acc-body\">\n        <p>California-issued public records (birth, death, marriage certificates, court records) and California-notarized documents (affidavits, powers of attorney, diplomas with notarized acknowledgement). <strong>Photocopies and hospital souvenir certificates are rejected.<\/strong> Pre-2005 vital records may need an additional county certification step before SOS filing.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-- RELATED -->\n  <div class=\"tc-wrap\"><div class=\"tc\"><h2>Related Pages<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n  <div class=\"related-grid\">\n    <a href=\"\/apostille-san-francisco\/\">&#x1f4cd; SF Apostille Service<\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/federal-apostille\/\">&#x1f1fa;&#x1f1f8; Federal Apostille<\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/california-birth-certificate-apostille\/\">&#x1f4cb; Birth Certificate<\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/california-death-certificate-apostille\/\">&#x1f4dc; Death Certificate<\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/california-diploma-apostille\/\">&#x1f393; Diploma<\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/fbi-background-check-apostille-california\/\">&#x1fa96; FBI Background<\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/same-day-apostille-san-francisco\/\">&#x1f680; Same-Day Service<\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/california-apostille-faq\/\">&#x2753; Full FAQ<\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/contact-apostille-san-francisco\/\">&#x1f4de; Contact<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-- FINAL CTA -->\n  <div class=\"ctas\">\n    <a class=\"btn-call\" href=\"tel:+14154390289\">&#x1f4de; Call (415) 439-0289<\/a>\n    <a class=\"btn-ghost\" href=\"\/apostille-document-check\/\">Start Document Check \u2192<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"disc\">\n    Apostille San Francisco \u00b7 416 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 \u00b7 Mon\u2013Fri 9am\u20135pm PT (emergency line after hours) \u00b7\n    State fee information based on California Secretary of State published schedule \u2014 verify current fees at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.ca.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sos.ca.gov<\/a>.\n    Not a law firm; does not provide legal advice. \u00a9 2026 Apostille San Francisco \u00b7\n    <a href=\"\/privacy-policy-apostille-san-francisco\/\">Privacy<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/terms-of-service\/\">Terms<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home \u203a How to Get an Apostille in California California SOS \u00b7 1500 11th St Sacramento \u00b7 $20 State Fee How to Get an Apostille in California Submit a California-issued certified document or California-notarized document to the Secretary of State in Sacramento. Four steps \u2014 and the most common rejection causes, so you don&#8217;t have &#8230; <a title=\"How to Get Apostille California\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/how-to-get-an-apostille-in-california\/\" aria-label=\"Leer m\u00e1s sobre How to Get Apostille California\">Leer m\u00e1s<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2801","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2801","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2801"}],"version-history":[{"count":57,"href":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2801\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5772,"href":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2801\/revisions\/5772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}