Apostille San Francisco is a proud partner of Sacramento Notary Co., trusted for California notarization services since 2017.

Apostille San Francisco

Taking new files today(415) 439-0289

California SOS · 1500 11th St Sacramento · $20 State Fee

How to Get an Apostille
in California

Q: How long does a California apostille take?

Same-day when eligibility and SOS capacity align — in-person at the Sacramento counter. Mail-in follows current Secretary of State timeframes and usually takes 2–4 weeks. Our Sacramento courier service files in-person so you get same-day results without making the drive.

Q: How much does a California apostille cost?

The state fee is $20 per apostille, plus a $6 special handling fee for each different public official's signature the Secretary of State must authenticate on in-person requests. We confirm your exact state fees before filing. Service fees: $180 standard mail-in · $450 same-day Sacramento courier (notary +$100). The $45 Document Check puts $20 toward your apostille.

Q: Where do I file for a California apostille?

Primary: California Secretary of State, 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814. Regional: 300 South Spring Street, Room 12513, Los Angeles (walk-ins on published schedule, no cash). We file at Sacramento in-person on your behalf.

Q: Can the California SOS apostille my FBI background check?

No. FBI Identity History Summary reports are federal documents and must go through the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington D.C. Filing with California SOS results in rejection. See the FBI background check apostille guide.

Submit a California-issued certified document or California-notarized document to the Secretary of State in Sacramento. Four steps — and the most common rejection causes, so you don’t have to learn them the hard way.

Call (415) 439-0289 Start $45 Document Check

At a glance

Same-daySame-day Sacramento filing available

State feeState fee: $20 per apostille · +$6 per official’s signature in person

Primary counter1500 11th St, 3rd Floor · Sacramento, CA 95814

Our office416 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

Price$180 mail-in · $450 same-day · $650 for 3

The process

Four-Step California Apostille Process

01First stepIdentify Your Document Type. California public records (birth, death, marriage, court), California-notarized documents, or federal documents — 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 Office of Authentications.

02Critical checkConfirm the Destination Country. Hague Convention member countries accept an apostille. Non-Hague countries — UAE and Qatar — require embassy legalization instead. An apostille issued for a non-Hague country will be rejected. Confirm before filing.

03Before filingVerify Document Format. Vital records require a certified copy from CDPH or the county recorder — photocopies are rejected on sight. Notarized documents must include correct California acknowledgement wording: venue line, commission expiration date, and notary seal.

04Day of filingFile at the California Secretary of State. In-person at the Sacramento counter (1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor) for same-day processing. Mail-in follows current SOS posted timeframes. State fee: $20 per apostille, plus a $6 special handling fee for each different public official’s signature on in-person requests. We confirm exact state fees before filing. We handle the Sacramento trip.

Where to file

California SOS Filing Locations

California Secretary of State apostille counters
Counter	Address	City	Same-day / walk-in	Payment	State fee
Sacramento — Primary Counter	1500 11th St, 3rd Floor	Sacramento, CA 95814	Same-day filing: Yes, when capacity allows	Check, money order, credit card	$20 + $6 handling (in person)
Los Angeles — Regional Counter	300 S Spring St, Room 12513	Los Angeles, CA 90013	Walk-in: Yes, published schedule	Cash accepted: No — cards/checks only	Same $20 + $6 handling (in person)

$650state fees included · up to 3 apostilles

3-Apostille Concierge Package

Signature Concierge — 3 Apostilles

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.

Up to 3 apostilles, state fees included
Notarization, if needed: +$100
$45 Document Check on each (included)
Same-day Sacramento courier filing
All state fees included
Tracked return shipping included

Call to Book Document Check

Rejection traps

Most Common California Apostille Rejections

01Wrong Notary Wording. California requires specific acknowledgement wording — venue line, commission expiration, and notary seal. Out-of-state or incomplete wording is rejected. Re-notarize on a California form before filing.

02Photocopy Submitted. Vital records always require a certified copy from CDPH or the county recorder. A photocopy — regardless of quality — is rejected on sight without review.

03Non-Hague Destination. An apostille issued for a non-Hague country (UAE, Qatar) won’t be accepted at the destination. Switch to embassy legalization before filing.

04FBI Check at California SOS. The California SOS does not apostille federal documents. FBI Identity History Summary reports must go to the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington D.C.

California Apostille FAQ

How long does a California apostille take?

Same-day when eligibility and SOS capacity align — in-person at the Sacramento counter. Mail-in follows current Secretary of State timeframes and usually takes 2–4 weeks. Our Sacramento courier service files in-person so you get same-day results without making the drive.

How much does a California apostille cost?

The state fee is $20 per apostille, plus a $6 special handling fee for each different public official’s signature the Secretary of State must authenticate on in-person requests. We confirm your exact state fees before filing. Service fees: $180 standard mail-in · $450 same-day Sacramento courier (notary +$100). The $45 Document Check puts $20 toward your apostille. Full pricing →

Where do I file for a California apostille?

Primary: California Secretary of State, 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814. Regional: 300 South Spring Street, Room 12513, Los Angeles (walk-ins on published schedule, no cash). We file at Sacramento in-person on your behalf.

Can the California SOS apostille my FBI background check?

No. FBI Identity History Summary reports are federal documents and must go through the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington D.C. Filing with California SOS results in rejection. See the FBI background check apostille guide.

My document is going to a non-Hague country — what do I do?

An apostille will not be accepted by non-Hague countries — UAE, Qatar, and others. Those documents require U.S. Department of State authentication followed by embassy or consulate legalization. Call us to confirm the correct route for your destination country.

What California documents qualify for an apostille?

California-issued public records (birth, death, marriage certificates, court records) and California-notarized documents (affidavits, powers of attorney, diplomas with notarized acknowledgement). Photocopies and hospital souvenir certificates are rejected. Pre-2005 vital records may need an additional county certification step before SOS filing.

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State fee information based on California Secretary of State published schedule — verify current fees at sos.ca.gov.

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How to Get an Apostillein California