In California, an Apostille is issued by the California Secretary of State. California Apostille authenticates California public officials' signatures on documents intended for use outside the United States.
California Apostille certifies to the authenticity of the signature of the official who signed the document, the capacity in which that official acted, and when applicable, identifies the seal or stamp which the document bears. The Apostille never validates the contents of the document.
The California Secretary of State can only authenticate signatures on documents issued in the State of California, signed by a notary public or the following public officials and their deputies:
• County Clerks, Registrar-Recorder
• Court Administrators of the Superior Court
• Notaries Public
• Judges of the Superior Court
• Executive Clerks of the Superior Court
• Executive Officers of the Superior Court
• Officers whose authority is not limited to any particular county
• State Officials
What documents can be authenticated with California Apostille?
The most common types of documents we receive for California Apostille processing are:
California Issued Vital Records including birth certificate, death certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, single status document
California Issued Court Documents
California issued criminal records, police reports, background check
California issued Power of Attorney
California issued school transcripts, diplomas, degree certificates
California issued corporate documents such as Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Incorporation, Merger Agreement, Certificate of Free Sale, Certificate of Origin, Corporate Forms, etc.
Travel consent forms
Notarized copies of US passport, driver’s license, affidavits, and other documents.
Important! Documents issued in the State of California and bearing the signature and/ or the stamp of an elected or appointed officials such as Vital Records; documents issued by California Corporation Division, Health Department, and Division of Motor Vehicle are NEVER notarized. An original or a certified copy is required for California Apostille processing.
What documents cannot receive California Apostille:
• Documents emanated from a different state
• Federal documents signed and sealed by a federal agency or federal court (for example, the consular report of birth abroad.)
• Photocopied documents, with the exception of properly certified copies by a California public notary.
• Documents intended for use within the United States of America, its territories, or possessions.
• Documents issued abroad.
• Documents going to countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Note: If your documents are to be used in foreign embassies or consulates located within the United States., they are considered to be international documents going to that particular foreign country.
What should I do to receive a California apostille?
At Global Apostille, we make it easy for you:
Step 1
Mail to our office an original or a certified copy of a document that requires a California Apostille
Step 2
Receive your apostilled California-issued document anywhere in the world. Our apostille service also includes second-day delivery within the continental US. If you need your apostilled document to be shipped to a foreign country, we can arrange international shipping for you for an extra fee.
Obtaining an apostille can be confusing. If you need California Apostille on your documents, please choose our apostille services. Global Apostille has been assisting clients with document authentication for use abroad since 2004. We will save you from the complex and dreary job of getting your documents authenticated while you could focus on other things. We apostille California birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, background checks, an FBI apostille, and much more. Global Apostille is your unbeatable source for apostille service in California!
Our experts are available Monday through Friday from 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM. Please call us at 1-770-447-0360 or toll-free 866-416-0747, and we will answer all your questions and offer easy- to-follow detailed instructions.