Same-Day Apostille California
A same-day California apostille is filed in person at the Sacramento Secretary of State counter — 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor — during business hours. The $20-per-apostille fee, plus $6 per public-official signature when applicable, is paid at the counter. Same-day filing is requested when SOS capacity allows and the document meets every eligibility requirement.
Is Your Document Eligible for Same-Day Filing?
Your document is a California-issued certified copy — CDPH, county, court, or university registrar — or carries a California notary acknowledgement
Signatures, seals, and dates are clean and within the SOS-accepted format, with no errors that trigger rejection at the counter
The destination country is confirmed — a Hague Apostille Convention member, or non-Hague with separate consular routing
Payment by Visa, Mastercard, check, money order, or cash is ready at the Sacramento counter
Two Routes — Know Which One You Need
California-Issued Documents
The California Secretary of State apostilles state-issued and notarized documents. This is the most common route for SF residents.
Federal Documents
Federal documents must go through the U.S. Department of State OSCA in Washington D.C. — not the California SOS. Filing with the wrong authority causes rejection.
Three Ways to Get Your Apostille
Drop Off in SOMA
Bring your documents to 416 Bryant Street. We review on the spot, confirm eligibility, and handle all Sacramento filing.
From $175Mail It In
Send documents from anywhere in the Bay Area or California. We file with SOS or federal OSCA and return by tracked courier.
From $175Same-Day Courier
Documents picked up in SF, couriered to Sacramento SOS, filed same day. For urgent visa deadlines and international closings.
$550Pricing
Documents We Handle
Birth Certificate
CA SOSDeath Certificate
CA SOSMarriage Certificate
CA SOSCourt Records
CA SOSDiploma / Transcript
CA SOSNotarized Documents
CA SOSFBI Background Check
FederalFederal Court Orders
FederalHow It Works
Document Check — $45
We verify California-issuance, notary-acknowledgement quality, destination-country routing, and common rejection triggers before any state fee is spent. Credited 100% to your apostille service.
Document Package Prepared
Apostille cover sheet naming the destination country, payment instrument, return-shipping label, and any pre-SOS certification the document needs.
In-Person Sacramento Filing
Apostille San Francisco staff file at the Secretary of State counter — 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor — during business hours, requested same business day when SOS capacity allows.
Same-Day Status Report
Issued, rejected with a reason, or held pending an additional step — reported back by phone and email the same business day.
Secure Return Shipment
Apostilled document returned the next morning by tracked carrier. International forwarding available where the destination requires direct shipment.
San Francisco Neighborhoods We Serve
Common Same-Day Failures & the Fix
Notary acknowledgement doesn’t match California format. California requires specific wording with a venue line, commission expiration, and seal. Re-notarize on a California acknowledgement form before filing.
A photocopy is submitted where a certified copy is required. Vital records need a certified copy from CDPH or the county — a photocopy is rejected on sight. Order the certified copy first.
The destination country isn’t a Hague member. The apostille won’t be accepted there. Switch routing to embassy or consulate legalization for non-Hague countries.
An FBI background check is brought to Sacramento. The California Secretary of State doesn’t apostille federal documents — FBI Identity History Summaries go to the U.S. Department of State. We can run the federal route.
Multiple documents under one cover sheet. SOS requires a separate apostille request per destination country — a bundle going to two countries needs two cover sheets and two fee instruments.
Same-Day California Apostille FAQ
1Is a same-day California apostille guaranteed?
No. Same-day filing is requested when the Sacramento Secretary of State has same-day availability and the document meets all eligibility requirements. The SOS issues apostilles when it has capacity that day; outcomes are not guaranteed by Apostille San Francisco.
2How much does a same-day California apostille cost?
The California Secretary of State charges $20 per apostille plus $6 per public-official signature when applicable. There is no separate expedited state fee. Apostille San Francisco service fees for same-day in-person filing are separate; see the pricing page for current ranges.
3Can I get a California apostille same-day in San Francisco?
No. The California Secretary of State issues apostilles only at the Sacramento counter at 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor and the Los Angeles regional counter. Apostille San Francisco runs the same-day in-person filing from San Francisco on a client’s behalf.
4What time does the Sacramento Secretary of State counter close?
Public counter hours are posted by the California Secretary of State and may change. Apostille San Francisco confirms current Sacramento and Los Angeles counter hours before each same-day run.
5Can a same-day FBI background check apostille be done in California?
No. FBI Identity History Summary documents are federal records authenticated by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications, not California. Same-day federal authentication is not available.
6Does same-day apply to documents going to non-Hague countries?
No. Documents destined for countries not party to the Hague Apostille Convention require embassy or consulate legalization rather than apostille, which adds time beyond a same-day window.