How to Get an Apostille in California
A four-step process from document identification to apostille in hand. Covers California-issued public records, California-notarized private documents, and the route decision that determines everything else.
How to get an apostille in California: to get a California apostille, submit a California-issued certified document (or California-notarized document) to the California Secretary of State office at 1500 11th Street, Sacramento. Same-day in-person filing is available; mail-in filings follow current SOS posted timeframes. The first step is confirming your document type and destination country — they determine the filing route.
How to Get an Apostille in California — Four-Step Process
Identify Document Type
California public record, notarized doc, or federal doc — each routes differently.
Check Destination
Hague Convention → apostille. Non-Hague → embassy legalization.
Verify Document Version
Long-form for vital records. California acknowledgement for notarized docs.
File at Sacramento SOS
Same-day in-person or mail submission. We handle the trip.
The 3-Apostille Concierge Package
Built for Italian dual citizenship. Most jure sanguinis applicants need 3 apostilles — birth, marriage, and death records for the U.S.-born ancestor in the lineage chain. Bundle them at the fastest service possible. All state fees, $35 Document Check on each, tracked return shipping included.
Sacramento Secretary of State Counter
1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814. Official guidance is on the California Secretary of State apostille page. Documents accepted at the counter during business hours are processed the same business day when SOS capacity allows. There is no separate “expedited” fee — the same $20 per apostille (plus $6 per additional public-official signature) applies whether the filing is in person or by mail.
The Los Angeles regional counter at 300 South Spring Street, Room 12513 also accepts walk-in apostille requests on a published schedule. LA does not accept cash.
Apostille San Francisco prepares the document package — verification, cover sheet, payment — and runs the in-person filing on a client’s behalf so the visit to Sacramento is not the client’s responsibility.
How to Avoid the Most Common California Apostille Failures
Notary Wording Wrong
California requires specific acknowledgement wording with venue line, commission expiration, and seal. Re-notarize on a California form before filing.
Photocopy Submitted
Vital records always require certified copy from CDPH or county. Photocopy is rejected on sight.
Non-Hague Destination
Document is issuable as apostille but won’t be accepted. Switch to embassy legalization for non-Hague.
FBI Check at SOS
California SOS does not apostille federal documents. FBI records go to U.S. Department of State.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long?
Same-day when eligibility + capacity align. Mail follows posted SOS times (5–10 business days).
Where do I file?
California SOS, 1500 11th St, Sacramento. LA regional counter also accepts walk-ins.
Non-Hague country?
Embassy or consulate legalization required instead. UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam are common.
FBI background check?
Federal document — U.S. Department of State, not California SOS.
What documents qualify?
California-issued public records, California-notarized documents. Full list.
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