Apostille Services San Francisco Bay Area
Need a California apostille fast? We handle notarization and guide you through the complete apostille process — so your documents are accepted internationally without the hassle.
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 (Sacramento or Los Angeles offices). 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
1. Notarize the Document
Most documents must be notarized by a California notary public before receiving an apostille. We come to you anywhere in the Bay Area to complete this step quickly.
2. Submit to Secretary of State
The notarized document is submitted to the California Secretary of State's office (Sacramento or Los Angeles). Processing times vary from same-day (in-person) to several weeks (mail).
3. Apostille Attached
The Secretary of State attaches the official apostille certificate. It is now legally authenticated for use in any Hague Convention country.
We help you understand exactly what's needed for your specific document and destination country — saving you costly mistakes and delays.
International Document Categories
Whether for personal travel, overseas studies, foreign corporate expansion, or dual citizenship filings.
Personal Documents
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, adoption records, and death certificates for use abroad.
Educational Documents
Transcripts, diplomas, and letters for foreign universities, scholarship programs, and international employers.
Legal Documents
Powers of attorney, affidavits, court orders, and corporate documents for international business and legal matters.
Immigration & Visa Support
Supporting documents for foreign visa applications, residency permits, and dual citizenship filings.
Documents We Notarize for Apostille
Why Choose Signed Sealed Delivered Closings?
Your trusted local partner for smooth, error-free California apostille processing.
Mobile Service
We come directly to your home, office, or anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Notarization Clarity
We explain exactly what type of notarization your apostille document requires to avoid state rejection.
Same-Day Availability
Same-day and next-day mobile appointments available 7 days a week.
Sacramento & LA Offices
Extensive experience with both California Secretary of State submission processes (Sacramento & Los Angeles).
Expedited Options
We can advise on expedited apostille options when you have a tight international deadline.
Bilingual Friendly
Bilingual-friendly service for Spanish-speaking clients across the Bay Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about international document legalization in California.
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 takes same day or next day. By mail takes 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: