What an apostille is and when you may need one

An apostille is a certificate issued by the California Secretary of State that authenticates the signature, capacity, and seal of a public official on a document for use in another country. It does not verify the document’s contents or decide whether it will be accepted for your purpose.

When an apostille comes up

You may be asked for an apostille when a California document will be presented to an agency, school, employer, court, bank, registrar, or other institution outside the United States. Common examples include vital records, educational records, powers of attorney, business documents, and documents that have been notarized in California.

What to identify before submission

The request starts with the document, the country where it will be used, and the receiving organization’s instructions. The California Secretary of State requires an original notarized or certified document, not a photocopy. A document that needs notarization must be notarized before the apostille request is submitted.

Some receiving organizations or destinations may require a step beyond the California Secretary of State apostille. Confirm those requirements with the receiving organization before work begins.

How Aptos Notary helps

Aptos Notary provides apostille facilitation for California documents that are already certified or notarized. We start with a practical intake, confirm your quote and applicable State fees and return postage in writing, coordinate the Secretary of State submission, and include a prepaid Certified Mail return envelope addressed to you.

We do not issue apostilles, give legal or immigration advice, provide immigration services, help complete immigration forms, determine whether a document is legally sufficient, or decide what the receiving organization requires. The California Secretary of State issues apostilles, and the receiving organization or a qualified attorney can answer legal or document-content questions.

For the State’s current requirements and fees, see the California Secretary of State apostille request guidance and apostille FAQs.