— Based in Los Angeles County · Available 7 Days a Week
Personalized
Apostille Services
— We facilitate your global affairs.
Same-Day Apostille and General Notary Work — Los Angeles County.
NNA Trained & Background Checked | Same-Day Available
Our Pricing
No hidden fees. Text for a same-day quote.
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Apostille — Standard $200
Incl. CA state fees · 24–48 hour turnaround
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Apostille — Same Day $350
Los Angeles · Must book before 12pm
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Each Additional Apostille $100
Filed concurrently during same appointment
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General Notary Work $75
Includes Travel and one notarized signature.
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Each Additional Signature $15
Statutory max varies by state
Return shipping via overnight label approx. $35–$50. Clients are welcome to provide a prepaid return label.
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NNA Trained & Background Checked
Errors & Omissions Insured
Same-Day Available
— What Is an Apostille?
Facilitating Your International Affairs
An Apostille is an official stamp or certificate attached to a document that tells other countries, “this document is real and came from a legitimate source.” It is issued by a government agency and acts as a seal of approval so your paperwork is accepted abroad without any extra hassle.
The reason Apostilles exist goes back to 1961, when many countries agreed to a simpler way of handling official documents across borders. Before that agreement, getting a document recognized in another country was a slow, complicated process involving multiple agencies and foreign embassies. The Apostille replaced all of that with one straightforward certificate.
If you live in California and need an Apostille, the only place that can issue one is the California Secretary of State, which has offices in both Sacramento and Los Angeles. It confirms that the signature or seal on your document belongs to a real, authorized person — but keep in mind, it does not check or guarantee what is actually written inside the document.
For federal documents — things like FBI background checks or immigration certificates — California’s Secretary of State cannot help. Those types of documents have to go through the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., no matter which state you live in.
1. Part of a Global Agreement
The Apostille system was created in 1961 and is recognized by countries around the world, including major nations like China and Canada.
2. Only Certain Agencies Can Issue Them
Notaries cannot issue Apostilles. That authority belongs only to the Secretary of State (state documents) or the U.S. Department of State (federal documents).
3. State and Federal Documents Go to Different Places
California state documents go to the CA Secretary of State. Federal documents — FBI reports, IRS forms, USCIS certificates, NARA records — go to the U.S. Department of State in D.C. Sending a federal document to Sacramento will get it returned unprocessed.
4. Some Documents Need Extra Steps First
Government records usually go straight to the Secretary of State. Personal documents like affidavits, powers of attorney, or diplomas must be notarized first. Some require additional steps beyond that.
5. Not Every Country Accepts Apostilles
Countries outside the Hague Convention require embassy legalization instead — a separate process involving the U.S. Department of State and the destination country’s embassy.
— Our Process
We Navigate With Certainty.
Getting an Apostille right means every detail has to be in order — from preparing your documents correctly to submitting them to the right authority. We handle the entire process for you, so your documents come back authenticated and ready to use.
Step 1
Document Review
We review your document, determine whether it’s state or federal, identify any preparation needed — such as notarization or certified copies — and give you a clear, all-in price upfront before you decide to move forward.
Step 2
Preparation
For documents that require notarization, our certified agents come to you. Every requirement is verified before submission, because a single mistake at this stage can result in rejection.
Step 3
Submission
State documents go to the California Secretary of State. Federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. We manage submission, track the status, and retrieve your documents through both channels.
Step 4
Receive Documents
Once your documents are Apostilled, they ship back to you via FedEx or UPS with full tracking. You will also receive a photo of the completed Apostille certificate before anything is sent.
Questions & Answers
Apostille – Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a California Apostille take?
Our standard California Apostille service takes 3 business days — including Secretary of State processing and overnight return shipping. Same-day service is available in Los Angeles and Sacramento for orders placed by noon. Processing times may be longer during high-volume periods or around state holidays — we notify you immediately if any delay affects your order.
Do I need to notarize my document before getting an apostille?
It depends on the document type. Official government-issued records — certified birth certificates, marriage licenses, court orders, CA DOJ background checks — generally go directly to the Secretary of State without additional Notarization. Private documents — powers of attorney, affidavits, diplomas — must first be Notarized by a California Notary Public. Some documents may also require a Document Custodian statement — a sworn affidavit certifying that the attached is a true copy of an original. We tell you exactly what your specific document needs.
What if I can't be present? Can someone else provide the document?
For the Notarization step, the signer must be present — but this doesn’t have to be you. A Notary verifies the identity and signature of whoever is signing the document, not the person the document is about. The Apostille itself authenticates the public official’s signature on the document — not the original signer. Contact us and we can clarify exactly who needs to be present for your specific situation.
Can you handle an FBI background check Apostille?
Yes, but FBI background checks are federal documents that follow a completely different process. They are Apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not the California Secretary of State. Critically: do not notarize your FBI report before submitting it for Apostille — adding a notary stamp to a federal document is one of the leading causes of rejection by the U.S. Dept. of State. Submit it exactly as issued.
What exactly does an Apostille certify?
An Apostille verifies the authenticity of the signature, seal, or stamp of the public official on the document — and confirms that official had the authority to sign it at the time. Per the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), it does not validate the contents of the document, confirm the truth of any statements, or certify the document’s legal effect in the destination country.
Does the Apostille expire?
The Apostille certificate itself has no formal expiration date. However, many destination countries, embassies, or receiving institutions impose their own validity window — commonly 90 to 180 days from the date of the Apostille. Always confirm the receiving institution’s specific requirements before you begin the process, especially if your document will be used for a visa application or property transaction with a fixed deadline.
What countries do NOT accept Apostilles?
Countries not party to the Hague Convention require embassy legalization instead. As of 2025, non-Hague countries include the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Vietnam, and Malaysia, among others. Saudi Arabia joined in December 2022 and China joined in November 2023 — both now accept Apostilles, though some Chinese institutions may still request additional authentication steps. We handle embassy legalization for non-Hague destinations.
What are the actual CA Secretary of State government fees?
Per the California Secretary of State’s official website, the fee is $20 per Apostille plus a $6 special handling fee for each different public official’s signature to be authenticated. These government fees are included in our all-in pricing with no separate line items at checkout.
Are your notaries NNA certified?
Yes. Our Notaries are certified and vetted through the National Notary Association — which requires training, testing, and ongoing background screening. This matters specifically for Apostille work because improperly executed Notarizations are one of the most common reasons Apostille applications are rejected. We get it right the first time.
What are the differences between state and federal Apostilles?
State Apostilles (issued by the California Secretary of State) cover state-issued documents: birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, court orders, CA DOJ background checks, notarized private documents, and diplomas from California institutions. Federal Apostilles (issued by the U.S. Dept. of State in D.C.) cover FBI background checks, NARA records, USCIS Certificates of Naturalization, IRS forms, and all other federally-issued documents — regardless of which state you live in. Sending a federal document to Sacramento results in it being returned unprocessed, often after a significant delay.
Let's begin the process.
Text us (626) 318-7516 — we will do our best to facilitate your global affairs.