Apostille Services in Los Angeles

If you need to use a U.S. document in a foreign country, you will likely need an apostille. An apostille is an international certification that authenticates documents for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Los Angeles residents frequently need apostilles for business, immigration, education, and personal matters abroad.

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is a certificate attached to a document by a designated government authority that verifies the document's authenticity for international use. In California, the Secretary of State issues apostilles. For a detailed comparison of notarization and apostille, see our guide on notary vs. apostille.

Documents That Can Receive an Apostille

In California, the Secretary of State can apostille:

• Notarized documents: Any document bearing a California notary's seal and signature
• Certified copies of vital records: Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates issued by California counties
• Court documents: Documents bearing the signature of a California court clerk or judge
• Government-issued documents: Documents signed by California state officials

Common Reasons for Apostille in Los Angeles

• Getting married abroad
• Adopting a child from another country
• Attending a university overseas
• Conducting international business transactions
• Buying property in a foreign country
• Establishing residency in another country
• Working abroad
• Settling an estate with international assets

Step-by-Step Apostille Process

Step 1: Determine If You Need an Apostille

Check whether the receiving country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Over 120 countries participate, including most of Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. If the country is not a member, you will need embassy or consulate legalization instead.

Step 2: Prepare Your Document

If your document is not already notarized or certified, you will need to have it notarized first. For example, a personal affidavit or power of attorney needs to be notarized by a California notary before it can receive an apostille.

Step 3: Submit to the Secretary of State

You can submit your document to the California Secretary of State in three ways:

• In person (Los Angeles office): Visit the Los Angeles branch at 300 South Spring Street, Suite 12513. Walk-in service is available with same-day or next-day processing.
• In person (Sacramento office): The main office at 1500 11th Street processes apostilles during business hours.
• By mail: Mail your document to the Sacramento office. Processing takes several weeks plus mailing time.

Step 4: Pay the Fee

The state fee for an apostille is $20 per document. Additional fees may apply for special handling.

Step 5: Receive Your Apostilled Document

The Secretary of State attaches a separate page (the apostille certificate) to your document, verifying its authenticity for international use.

Processing Times

• In person (LA or Sacramento): Same day or next business day
• By mail: 4 to 8 weeks (varies by volume)
• Through an apostille service provider: 1 to 5 business days (they handle the in-person submission for you)

Apostille Service Providers in Los Angeles

Many notaries and document services in Los Angeles offer apostille assistance. These providers handle the entire process for you, including notarization if needed, submission to the Secretary of State, and return delivery. Typical fees for full-service apostille assistance range from $75 to $175 per document, including the $20 state fee.

This is particularly valuable for Los Angeles residents who cannot visit the Secretary of State's office during business hours or who need faster processing than mail service allows.

Documents Requiring Translation Before Apostille

If your document is in a foreign language and needs an apostille for use in an English-speaking country, you may need a certified translation first. The apostille goes on the original document, and the translation is provided separately. Consult with the receiving country's requirements to determine the correct order of operations.

Find notaries and apostille service providers through our Los Angeles notary directory.