California Apostille Services
California documents intended for use outside the United States may require an apostille before they can be accepted by a foreign government, school, employer, court, bank, or other receiving authority.
The California Secretary of State authenticates eligible signatures of California public officials and properly notarized or certified California documents.
Global Apostille Group can coordinate California apostille processing, from document review through final authentication.
Request a QuotePublic Records and Notarized Documents
California apostille requirements depend on whether your document was issued by a government authority or privately signed and notarized.
Certified Public Documents
Eligible California public records should generally be submitted as certified copies bearing a signature the Secretary of State can authenticate.
California-Notarized Documents
Privately executed documents may qualify when they are properly notarized by a California notary public and contain a complete notarial certificate.
Preparing Your California Document
The California Secretary of State authenticates qualifying California public-official signatures and properly notarized or certified documents. The exact preparation depends on the record type.
Use an Eligible Original or Certified Record
The Secretary of State requires a document signed by an eligible California public official or an original notarized and/or certified document. Plain photocopies are not accepted.
California Notarization Must Be Complete
Privately executed documents should contain a proper California acknowledgment, jurat, or other appropriate notarial certificate completed by a commissioned California notary.
Public-Official Signature Must Be Verifiable
For certified public records, the Secretary of State must be able to authenticate the signature and official capacity of the person who certified or issued the record.
Destination Country Must Be Identified
California requires the foreign country where the document will be used to be identified as part of the apostille request.
Birth and death certificates signed by a county clerk, county recorder, or the State Registrar may be eligible directly. Certificates bearing the signature of a local Health Officer or County Registrar may first require county clerk certification, or a certified replacement copy from the county recorder or California Department of Public Health.
Have a California Document for International Use?
Send us the document type, issuing authority, and destination country. We can review the authentication path and coordinate the California apostille process on your behalf.