California Apostille Services

We review your California documents, file them with the California Secretary of State, and send them back to you by tracked shipping. Order online from anywhere in the U.S. No office visit needed.

From $365 per document · California state fee included

Book California apostille Call or text (914) 639-6280

Trilogy Notary Services is a private document services company, not a government agency. The apostille is issued by the California Secretary of State, Notary Public Section.

Issuing office: California Secretary of State, Notary Public SectionOfficial page
Government fee: $20 per documentIncluded in our price
Hague Convention countries: Apostille
Non-Hague countries: Apostille (the office issues a single Apostille for all foreign countries)
The state accepts requests by: mail, walk-in and pop-up events
Published processing time: Mail processed in order received; page updated Oct 28, 2026 shows Sacramento processing mail received 10/19/2026. In person typically processed within 30 minutes; arrive by 4:30 p.m. to guarantee service.As listed by the office on October 29, 2026

Documents California can apostille

Documents signed by California public officials
Original notarized documents
Original certified documents
Birth and death certificates signed by county clerks, county recorders (or deputies), or the State Registrar

The issuing state is what matters, not where you live now. A document issued or notarized in another state goes to that state's office, and documents from federal agencies go to the U.S. Department of State through our federal apostille service.

California requirements to check before you book

The document must be signed by a California public official or be an original notarized and/or certified document; photocopies are not accepted.Source
The notarization must be in English; the rest of the document may be in another language.Source
Birth or death certificates signed by a Health Officer or County Registrar may need certification by the county clerk in the issuing county, or a certified copy from the county recorder or Department of Public Health.Source
Include a cover sheet stating the destination country, payment, and a self-addressed return envelope (prepaid postage for tracking).Source

Good to know

Apostilles are not issued for Puerto Rico, Guam, or other U.S. territories; the notarial act is sufficient there.
The Secretary of State does not provide notarial or translation services.
Overnight courier speeds transit but does not speed mail processing.

About our California apostille service

California apostille and authentication service for documents issued by the State of California. We handle California birth certificates, marriage records, university diplomas and transcripts, powers of attorney, and corporate filings needed for dual citizenship, overseas employment, or business abroad. Trilogy Notary Services LLC manages the California Secretary of State process for you with nationwide mail-in handling and remote online notarization.

How it works

Book onlineChoose the option that matches your document and destination, then tell us the document type, the country where it will be used, and your deadline.
We review your document firstBefore anything is filed, we check it against the California requirements on this page. If a step is missing, such as a notarization or a certified copy, we tell you what's needed before we file.
Send your original or meet a notaryWe send mailing instructions after you book. If your document still needs to be signed and notarized, one of our mobile notaries can meet you, or you can use remote online notarization where it's accepted.
We file and track itWe submit your request to the California Secretary of State with the government fee and follow it until the office releases it.
We ship it backYour documents come back by tracked shipping. If your destination also needs embassy legalization or a certified translation, we can handle that next.

Pricing

$365 per document.

Prices include the California state fee, courier filing, return shipping, and handling. Sales tax is added at checkout where it applies, and any deposit is shown before you pay. If you have more than one document, tell us the count when you book and we'll confirm your total.

Government processing times are set by the issuing office and change during the year. We don't promise a delivery date that depends on a government office, and we'll tell you the current timing when we review your order.

Book California apostille

Common questions

How much does a California apostille cost through Trilogy?

Our California apostille service starts at $365 per document. That price includes the California government fee of $20 per document, plus courier filing, return shipping, and handling. Sales tax, if it applies, and any deposit are shown at checkout before you pay.

Who issues apostilles in California?

The California Secretary of State, Notary Public Section. Trilogy Notary Services is a private document services company: we prepare and submit your request and track it, but the apostille itself is issued by the state office.

What does California require before it will apostille a document?

The document must be signed by a California public official or be an original notarized and/or certified document; photocopies are not accepted. The notarization must be in English; the rest of the document may be in another language. We check for these before anything is filed.

Can California apostille an FBI background check or another federal document?

No. Documents issued and signed by a federal agency, such as an FBI background check, are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State, not by the California Secretary of State. We handle those through our federal apostille service.

What if my destination country is not in the Hague Apostille Convention?

For non-Hague countries, California issues this instead of a standard apostille: Apostille (the office issues a single Apostille for all foreign countries). Many non-Hague countries then require embassy or consulate legalization, which we handle through our embassy legalization service. Tell us the destination country when you book.

How long does a California apostille take?

As published by the state when we checked on October 29, 2026: Mail processed in order received; page updated Oct 28, 2026 shows Sacramento processing mail received 10/19/2026. In person typically processed within 30 minutes; arrive by 4:30 p.m. to guarantee service. Add time for document preparation and shipping both ways. Government processing times change and are outside our control, so we don't promise a delivery date.

Working with Trilogy

Nationwide, by appointmentBased in Westchester County, NY, we serve clients in all 50 states and U.S. territories through a network of commissioned, insured notaries. We don't have a walk-in office.

Ask before you payNot sure your document qualifies? Call or text (914) 639-6280 or email [email protected]. We're available Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM ET.

Privacy and termsQuestions about how we handle your documents and personal information? See our privacy policy and terms and conditions.

Related services

Federal apostillePassports, naturalization records, IRS, SSA, VA, DD-214 and other federal documents.FBI background check apostilleIdentity History Summary for visas, jobs, and residency abroad.Embassy legalizationFor countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention.Certified translationWhen the receiving country needs your document in another language.

Document issued in a different state?

Sources

The California requirements, fees, and processing times on this page come from these official sources, checked on October 29, 2026. Rules change, so we confirm current requirements when we review your order. Spot something out of date? Email [email protected].