{"id":2872,"date":"2026-03-15T16:10:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T16:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/?page_id=2872"},"modified":"2026-06-28T14:19:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T14:19:10","slug":"california-apostille-by-mail","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/california-apostille-by-mail\/","title":{"rendered":"California Apostille by Mail"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"asf-v3\">\n  <section class=\"asf-card asf-direct\">\n    <span class=\"asf-direct-tag\">Direct Answer<\/span>\n    <p id=\"direct-answer\">\n      A <strong>California apostille by mail<\/strong> is filed by sending the eligible document, a destination-country\n      cover sheet, a check or money order for <span class=\"asf-money\">$20<\/span> per apostille\n      (plus <span class=\"asf-money\">$6<\/span> per public-official signature when applicable) payable to\n      <strong>&#8220;Secretary of State&#8221;<\/strong>, and a return envelope to the\n      <strong>California Secretary of State Notary Public Section<\/strong> in Sacramento.\n      Timelines follow the SOS posted backlog.\n    <\/p>\n    <div class=\"asf-cta-band\">\n      <a class=\"asf-btn asf-btn-primary\" href=\"\/apostille-document-check\/\">Run the $45 Document Check<\/a>\n      <a class=\"asf-btn asf-btn-ghost\" href=\"tel:+14154390289\">Talk to a Specialist<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"asf-v3\">\n  <section class=\"asf-card\">\n    <span class=\"asf-eyebrow\" style=\"color:var(--gold-light)\">Mail-Filing Readiness Gate<\/span>\n    <h2 style=\"margin-top:.2em\">Is your mail package ready to send?<\/h2>\n    <p>Most mail filings come back rejected because of one of these five misses. If any are unclear, run the\n      <a href=\"\/apostille-document-check\/\">$45 Document Check<\/a> first \u2014 one business day to catch the error, and the $45 is credited to your apostille service when you proceed\n      before the package ships to Sacramento.<\/p>\n    <ul style=\"list-style:none;padding:0;margin:1em 0;display:grid;gap:10px\">\n      <li>\u2713 The document is a <strong>California-issued certified copy<\/strong> or carries a <strong>California notary acknowledgement<\/strong> matching the SOS-accepted format.<\/li>\n      <li>\u2713 An <strong>apostille cover sheet<\/strong> naming the destination country is included.<\/li>\n      <li>\u2713 Payment is a <strong>check or money order made out to &#8220;Secretary of State&#8221;<\/strong> for <span class=\"asf-money\">$20<\/span> per apostille (plus <span class=\"asf-money\">$6<\/span> per additional public-official signature).<\/li>\n      <li>\u2713 A <strong>self-addressed return envelope<\/strong> is included \u2014 tracked \/ prepaid label preferred.<\/li>\n      <li>\u2713 Carrier is correct: <strong>USPS goes to the P.O. Box<\/strong>; <strong>FedEx \/ UPS \/ DHL go to the street address<\/strong>.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n    <div class=\"asf-cta-band\">\n      <a class=\"asf-btn asf-btn-primary\" href=\"\/apostille-document-check\/\">Pre-Check the Package<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"asf-v3\">\n  <h2>Where to Mail a California Apostille Request<\/h2>\n  <p>The <strong>California Secretary of State Notary Public Section<\/strong> accepts mail apostille requests in Sacramento. Address depends on carrier \u2014 the SOS uses two physical intakes that are not interchangeable.<\/p>\n\n  <section class=\"asf-card\">\n    <h3>USPS (United States Postal Service)<\/h3>\n    <p style=\"margin:.3em 0;font-family:var(--font-display);font-size:1.05rem\">Secretary of State<br>Notary Public Section<br>P.O. Box 942877<br>Sacramento, CA 94277-0001<\/p>\n    <h3 style=\"margin-top:1.4em\">FedEx, UPS, DHL, and other private carriers<\/h3>\n    <p style=\"margin:.3em 0;font-family:var(--font-display);font-size:1.05rem\">Secretary of State<br>Notary Public Section<br>1500 11th Street, 2nd Floor<br>Sacramento, CA 95814<\/p>\n    <p class=\"asf-small\" style=\"margin-top:1.2em\">Private carriers cannot deliver to a P.O. Box; USPS does not deliver to the 11th Street loading dock. Using the wrong address sends the package back to the sender unprocessed.<\/p>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <h2>What to Include in the Mail Package<\/h2>\n  <ol>\n    <li><strong>The eligible document.<\/strong> A California-issued certified copy (CDPH, county, court, or university registrar) or a document with a California notary acknowledgement.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>An apostille cover sheet<\/strong> identifying the destination country for each apostille requested. One cover sheet per destination country \u2014 separate cover sheets are required if documents are headed to two different countries.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Payment.<\/strong> Check or money order payable to <em>&#8220;Secretary of State&#8221;<\/em> for <span class=\"asf-money\">$20<\/span> per apostille, plus <span class=\"asf-money\">$6<\/span> per additional public-official signature being authenticated on the same document. Mail intake does not accept cash or credit cards.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>A self-addressed return envelope.<\/strong> Tracked carrier preferred (FedEx, UPS, USPS Priority) with prepaid label; basic stamped envelope works for non-time-sensitive returns.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Optional cover letter<\/strong> with contact information, special handling notes, and the destination country (redundant but useful for SOS triage).<\/li>\n  <\/ol>\n\n  <h2>How Long the Mail Route Takes<\/h2>\n  <p>Mail apostille processing time is set by the Secretary of State and varies with current backlog. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.ca.gov\/notary\/processing-times\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Secretary of State posted processing time<\/a> is the only authoritative source \u2014 checking it before mailing is the single best way to set a realistic delivery date. See also <a href=\"\/california-apostille-processing-time\/\">current processing timelines<\/a> for in-person versus mail context.<\/p>\n\n  <p>For time-sensitive documents, <a href=\"\/same-day-apostille-california\/\">the same-day in-person route<\/a> at the Sacramento or Los Angeles public counter is the alternative. Apostille San Francisco can run the in-person filing on a client&#8217;s behalf when mail timing is not workable.<\/p>\n\n  <h2>What Apostille San Francisco Handles for a Mail Filing<\/h2>\n  <ol>\n    <li><strong>Eligibility verification<\/strong> via the <a href=\"\/apostille-document-check\/\">$45 Document Check<\/a> (credited 100% to your apostille service) \u2014 confirms the document is in California-acceptable form, notary acknowledgement is valid, and routing is correct for the destination country.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Package preparation<\/strong> \u2014 apostille cover sheet, payment instrument made out correctly, self-addressed tracked return envelope, and carrier match to address.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Carrier-correct dispatch<\/strong> from San Francisco to the correct Sacramento intake.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Tracking and follow-up<\/strong> against the current Secretary of State posted processing time.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Secure receipt and return<\/strong> to the client by tracked carrier on apostille issuance. International forwarding available where the destination country requires direct shipment.<\/li>\n  <\/ol>\n\n  <h2>The Five Most Common Mail Rejections (and the Fix)<\/h2>\n  <ol>\n    <li><strong>USPS package addressed to the 11th Street street address.<\/strong> The SOS street intake is for private carriers only. USPS rejects delivery, the package returns to the sender. Fix: USPS goes to <em>P.O. Box 942877<\/em>.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Private-carrier package addressed to the P.O. Box.<\/strong> FedEx, UPS, and DHL cannot deliver to a P.O. Box. Package returns. Fix: private carriers go to <em>1500 11th Street, 2nd Floor<\/em>.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Check made out to the wrong payee.<\/strong> The check must read &#8220;Secretary of State&#8221; \u2014 not &#8220;California Secretary of State&#8221;, not &#8220;State of California&#8221;, not &#8220;CA SOS&#8221;. A wrong payee triggers return.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Missing or vague cover sheet.<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Photocopy in place of a certified copy.<\/strong> Vital records (birth, marriage, death) must be on a CDPH or county certified copy \u2014 photocopies are rejected at the mail intake.<\/li>\n  <\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"asf-v3\">\n  <h2>California Apostille by Mail FAQ<\/h2>\n\n  <div class=\"asf-faq-a\">Mail apostille processing time is set by the Secretary of State and varies with current backlog. The Secretary of State publishes the current posted processing time at sos.ca.gov; checking it before mailing is the most reliable way to set a delivery expectation. Outcomes are not guaranteed by Apostille San Francisco.<\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"asf-faq-a\">USPS mail goes to Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001. FedEx, UPS, and DHL go to Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, 1500 11th Street, 2nd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814. The two intakes are not interchangeable; using the wrong one returns the package to sender.<\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"asf-faq-a\">The California Secretary of State charges $20 per apostille plus $6 per additional public-official signature being authenticated on the same document. Mail intake accepts check or money order payable to \\&#8221;Secretary of State\\&#8221; \u2014 not cash and not credit cards. Apostille San Francisco service fees are separate.<\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"asf-faq-a\">Yes, multiple documents can be included in one package, but each apostille request requires its own cover sheet identifying the destination country, and the payment must cover $20 per apostille plus $6 per additional public-official signature where applicable. Mixing destination countries in one package is allowed when each has its own cover sheet.<\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"asf-faq-a\">The Secretary of State returns mail apostilles using the self-addressed return envelope included in the package. A tracked carrier envelope (FedEx, UPS, USPS Priority) with prepaid label is preferred for time-sensitive returns; a standard stamped envelope works for non-urgent returns. International return shipping should be prepaid.<\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"asf-faq-a\">No. FBI Identity History Summary documents are federal records authenticated by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C., not by the California Secretary of State. A federal document sent to California is returned. Apostille San Francisco prepares federal routing on a client&#8217;s behalf.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"asf-v3\">\n  <h2>Related Filing Routes and Tools<\/h2>\n  <div class=\"asf-related\">\n    <a href=\"\/same-day-apostille-california\/\">Same-Day In-Person<small>Sacramento or LA counter<\/small><\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/sacramento-secretary-of-state-apostille\/\">Sacramento SOS Office<small>Address, hours, fees, walk-in<\/small><\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/california-apostille-processing-time\/\">Current Processing Times<small>Live SOS posted timeline<\/small><\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/california-apostille-guide\/\">California Apostille Process Guide<small>Full pillar overview<\/small><\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/apostille-document-check\/\">Document Check<small>$45 \u2014 credited to your apostille service<\/small><\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/california-apostille-pricing\/\">Service + State Fees<small>What it actually costs<\/small><\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/which-documents-can-be-apostilled\/\">Eligible Document Types<small>Vital, academic, business, notarized<\/small><\/a>\n    <a href=\"\/contact-apostille-san-francisco\/\">Talk to a Specialist<small>Phone, email, form<\/small><\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"asf-v3\">\n  <section class=\"asf-final-cta\">\n    <span class=\"asf-eyebrow\" style=\"color:var(--gold-light)\">Mail it once, mail it right<\/span>\n    <h2>Run the Document Check before the package leaves your desk.<\/h2>\n    <p>One business day to verify eligibility, payment, address, and cover sheet \u2014 the four reasons mail filings come back unprocessed. Mail timelines follow the Secretary of State posted backlog.<\/p>\n    <div class=\"asf-cta-band\">\n      <a class=\"asf-btn asf-btn-primary\" href=\"\/apostille-document-check\/\">Pre-Check My Mail Package<\/a>\n      <a class=\"asf-btn asf-btn-ghost\" href=\"tel:+14154390289\">Call +1-415-439-0289<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <p class=\"asf-reviewed\">Last reviewed: 2026-05-23.<\/p>\n  <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"asf-v3\">\n  <div class=\"asf-sticky-mobile\" style=\"position:fixed;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;z-index:60;padding:10px 12px;background:rgba(10,10,10,.92);backdrop-filter:saturate(140%) blur(10px);border-top:1px solid rgba(200,164,77,.4);display:none;gap:8px\">\n    <a class=\"asf-btn asf-btn-primary\" style=\"flex:1;justify-content:center\" href=\"\/apostille-document-check\/\">Pre-Check Package<\/a>\n    <a class=\"asf-btn asf-btn-ghost\" style=\"flex:1;justify-content:center;color:#fff;border-color:#6E737B\" href=\"tel:+14154390289\">Call<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>@media(max-width:760px){.asf-v3 .asf-sticky-mobile{display:flex !important}body{padding-bottom:78px}}<\/style>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/california-apostille-by-mail\/#webpage\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/california-apostille-by-mail\/\",\n      \"name\": \"California Apostille by Mail | Submission Steps & Timing\",\n      \"isPartOf\": { \"@id\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/#website\" },\n      \"about\": { \"@id\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/#legalservice\" },\n      \"primaryImageOfPage\": { \"@id\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/#logo\" },\n      \"datePublished\": \"2025-10-15\",\n      \"dateModified\": \"2026-05-23\",\n      \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n      \"breadcrumb\": { \"@id\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/california-apostille-by-mail\/#breadcrumb\" },\n      \"speakable\": { \"@type\": \"SpeakableSpecification\", \"cssSelector\": [\"#direct-answer\"] }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/california-apostille-by-mail\/#breadcrumb\",\n      \"itemListElement\": [\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Home\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"California Apostille Guide\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/california-apostille-guide\/\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"California Apostille by Mail\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/california-apostille-by-mail\/\" }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Service\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/california-apostille-by-mail\/#service\",\n      \"serviceType\": \"California apostille by mail \u2014 Sacramento Secretary of State filing\",\n      \"name\": \"California Apostille by Mail\",\n      \"provider\": { \"@id\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/#legalservice\" },\n      \"areaServed\": [\n        { \"@type\": \"State\", \"name\": \"California\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"Country\", \"name\": \"United States\" }\n      ],\n      \"audience\": { \"@type\": \"Audience\", \"audienceType\": \"Individuals and businesses filing California apostille requests by mail through the Sacramento Secretary of State\" },\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/california-apostille-by-mail\/\",\n      \"description\": \"Mail filing of California apostille requests at the Sacramento Secretary of State Notary Public Section. Apostille San Francisco prepares the package \u2014 document, destination-country cover sheet, $20 per apostille payment to Secretary of State, and tracked return envelope \u2014 and dispatches via the correct carrier intake. 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The Secretary of State publishes the current posted processing time at sos.ca.gov; checking it before mailing is the most reliable way to set a delivery expectation. Outcomes are not guaranteed by Apostille San Francisco.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What is the mail address for California apostille requests?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"USPS mail goes to Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001. FedEx, UPS, and DHL go to Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, 1500 11th Street, 2nd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814. The two intakes are not interchangeable; using the wrong one returns the package to sender.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How much does a California apostille cost by mail?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The California Secretary of State charges $20 per apostille plus $6 per additional public-official signature being authenticated on the same document. Mail intake accepts check or money order payable to \\\"Secretary of State\\\" \u2014 not cash and not credit cards. Apostille San Francisco service fees are separate.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Can I include multiple documents in one mail package?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes, multiple documents can be included in one package, but each apostille request requires its own cover sheet identifying the destination country, and the payment must cover $20 per apostille plus $6 per additional public-official signature where applicable. Mixing destination countries in one package is allowed when each has its own cover sheet.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What return-shipping options are accepted?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The Secretary of State returns mail apostilles using the self-addressed return envelope included in the package. A tracked carrier envelope (FedEx, UPS, USPS Priority) with prepaid label is preferred for time-sensitive returns; a standard stamped envelope works for non-urgent returns. International return shipping should be prepaid.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Can I mail an FBI background check to the California Secretary of State?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"No. FBI Identity History Summary documents are federal records authenticated by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C., not by the California Secretary of State. A federal document sent to California is returned. Apostille San Francisco prepares federal routing on a client's behalf.\" }\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>\n\n<style>\/* ASF-CTA-GREEN *\/ .asf-v3 .asf-btn-primary{background:linear-gradient(180deg,#34D399 0%,#10B981 30%,#059669 70%,#065F46 100%) !important;color:#ffffff !important;-webkit-text-fill-color:#ffffff !important;-webkit-background-clip:border-box !important;background-clip:border-box !important;border:1px solid rgba(52,211,153,.5) !important;text-shadow:none !important}<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Direct Answer A California apostille by mail is filed by sending the eligible document, a destination-country cover sheet, a check or money order for $20 per apostille (plus $6 per public-official signature when applicable) payable to &#8220;Secretary of State&#8221;, and a return envelope to the California Secretary of State Notary Public Section in Sacramento. Timelines &#8230; <a title=\"California Apostille by Mail\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/california-apostille-by-mail\/\" aria-label=\"Leer m\u00e1s sobre California Apostille by Mail\">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-2872","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2872","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=2872"}],"version-history":[{"count":63,"href":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2872\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5656,"href":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2872\/revisions\/5656"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/apostillesanfrancisco.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}