Ways to Get California Apostille Certificate, USA Apostille Certificate, A California Apostille Certificate is an official authentication issued by the California Secretary of State that verifies the authenticity of a California public document for use in foreign countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Get Ontario Apostille Certificate.
What Is a California Apostille?
An apostille confirms that:
- The signature on the document is genuine
- The public official or notary is authorized
- The seal/stamp is authentic
It is commonly required for:
- International education applications
- Immigration and visa processing
- Overseas employment
- Marriage abroad
- Business registration overseas
- Dual citizenship applications
Countries that are members of the Hague Convention accept apostilles instead of embassy legalization.
Common Documents That Need a California Apostille
Examples include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Death certificates
- Diplomas and transcripts
- FBI background checks
- Power of attorney documents
- Corporate documents
- Court documents
- Notarized affidavits
Important Notes
- Apostilles are only for use outside the United States.
- If the destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, embassy legalization may be required instead.
- Documents in other languages are acceptable if the notarization is in English.
- California does not provide translation services.
