Apostille Services
San Francisco Bay Area

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is an internationally recognized authentication certificate issued under the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961. It certifies the authenticity of a public document — including notarized documents — so that it is legally accepted in any of the 120+ member countries without further legalization.

In California, apostilles are issued by the California Secretary of State. Before a document can receive an apostille, it typically must be notarized by a licensed California notary public. That's where we come in — we handle the notarization step and guide you through the full process.

How the California Apostille Process Works

We help you understand exactly what's needed for your specific document and destination country — saving you costly mistakes and delays.

Documents We Notarize for Apostille

• Power of Attorney (General, Limited, Durable)
• Affidavits and sworn statements
• Birth, marriage, and death certificate cover letters
• Single status / eligibility to marry affidavits
• Educational transcripts and diploma cover letters
• Corporate documents: Articles of Incorporation, Certificates of Good Standing cover letters
• Adoption documents
• Immigration support letters and affidavits
• Medical record authorizations
• Real estate documents for international transactions

Why Choose Signed Sealed Delivered Closings?

• Mobile notary — we come to your home, office, or anywhere in the Bay Area
• We explain exactly what type of notarization your apostille document requires
• Same-day and next-day appointments available 7 days a week
• Experience with both California Secretary of State submission processes
• We can advise on expedited apostille options when you have a tight deadline
• Bilingual-friendly service for Spanish-speaking clients

Frequently Asked Questions

What countries accept an apostille?

Over 120 countries are members of the Hague Convention and accept apostilles, including Mexico, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, India, China, South Korea, Brazil, and most of Europe and Latin America. If your destination country is not a member, a different process called "legalization" through the consulate is required — we can advise you on this.

How long does a California apostille take?

In-person at the Secretary of State's office in Sacramento or Los Angeles: same day or next day. By mail: approximately 5–10 business weeks (times vary by season). Expedited private apostille services can sometimes reduce this to a few days.

Do I need an apostille or a notarization?

If your document is staying in the US, you likely just need notarization. If it's going to a Hague Convention country, you need notarization first, then an apostille. We'll help you determine exactly what's required for your situation.

Can you get the apostille for me?

We notarize your document and can guide you through the submission process. For full apostille retrieval services, ask us about our referral partners who specialize in Secretary of State submissions.

My document is in a foreign language. Can you notarize it?

Yes. A notary public notarizes the signature, not the content of the document, so language is not a barrier. If a certified translation is also required, we can refer you to qualified translators.

Bay Area Service Areas

We provide apostille notarization services throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, including: