Apostille Service in Sacramento
If you need a document authenticated for use in another country, chances are you need an apostille. An apostille is a certificate issued by the California Secretary of State that verifies the authenticity of a document — confirming that the signature, seal, or stamp on the document is genuine. Because the Secretary of State’s office is located right here in Sacramento, we are in the best position to handle your apostille quickly and efficiently.
Sacramento Registered Process Server provides apostille service for individuals, businesses, attorneys, and anyone who needs a document authenticated for international use. We handle the entire process — from reviewing your document for apostille eligibility to physically delivering it to the Secretary of State’s office and returning the apostilled document to you. No navigating state offices, no figuring out forms, no waiting in line. You send us the document and we take care of the rest.
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is a form of authentication issued under the Hague Convention of 1961 — an international treaty that simplifies the process of verifying documents between member countries. When you need to use a U.S. document in a foreign country that is a member of the Hague Convention, the document must carry an apostille to be recognized as legitimate.
In California, apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State’s office. The apostille is a separate certificate that is attached to your original document. It does not certify the content of the document — it certifies that the signature or seal on the document is authentic. For example, if you have a notarized power of attorney that you need to use in Germany, the apostille confirms that the notary public who signed the document is a commissioned notary in the State of California.
Common documents that require an apostille include birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, notarized agreements, corporate documents, court orders, and academic transcripts. The specific requirements can vary depending on the type of document and the destination country.
How It Works
Step 1 — Submit Your Document
Send us the document that needs an apostille, along with information about the destination country and how you need the document used. We review it to confirm it is eligible for an apostille and that any required notarization or certification is in place.
Step 2 — We File with the Secretary of State
We physically deliver your document to the California Secretary of State’s office in Sacramento for apostille processing. Because we are local, we handle this in person rather than relying on mail — which means faster turnaround and no risk of documents getting lost in transit.
Step 3 — Apostilled Document Returned to You
Once the Secretary of State issues the apostille, we return the authenticated document to you. You can pick it up, or we can ship it to any address you specify — including international destinations.
Who Needs an Apostille?
Anyone who needs to use a U.S. document in a foreign country that is part of the Hague Convention will likely need an apostille. This covers more than 120 countries, including most of Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
Common situations include individuals who are getting married abroad and need an authenticated birth certificate or divorce decree, business owners who are forming a company overseas and need corporate documents authenticated, families adopting a child internationally who need authenticated background checks and court orders, and people applying for residency or citizenship in another country who need verified copies of vital records.
Attorneys also use apostille services when handling international litigation, cross-border transactions, or estate matters involving assets in foreign countries. Academic institutions sometimes require apostilled transcripts or diplomas for students studying abroad.
Sacramento residents have a built-in advantage — the Secretary of State’s office is right here in the capital. But even with that proximity, the process involves specific requirements, forms, and processing times that can be confusing. That is exactly what we handle for you.
Pricing
Our apostille service is a flat rate:
Apostille Service: $99 per document
This price includes our service fee, document review, in-person delivery to the Secretary of State’s office, and return of the apostilled document to you. The California Secretary of State charges its own processing fee (currently $20 per apostille), which is included in our price.
If you need multiple documents apostilled, contact us for volume pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get an apostille in Sacramento? The California Secretary of State’s office typically processes apostille requests within a few business days for in-person filings. Because we deliver your document directly to the office rather than mailing it, we can usually have your apostilled document back to you faster than if you handled it yourself by mail. Total turnaround is typically 5 to 7 business days from when we receive your document.
What documents can receive an apostille? Most documents that bear an official signature, seal, or notarization from a California official can receive an apostille. This includes notarized documents, certified copies of vital records (birth, marriage, death certificates from a California county), court documents, and documents signed by a California state official. Documents from other states must be apostilled by that state’s Secretary of State.
Does my document need to be notarized before getting an apostille? It depends on the document. Some documents — like a power of attorney or an affidavit — must be notarized before an apostille can be issued. Vital records issued by a California county (birth certificates, marriage certificates) do not need notarization — they can be apostilled directly. We will review your document and let you know if additional steps are needed.
What is the difference between an apostille and an embassy legalization? An apostille is used for countries that are members of the Hague Convention. For countries that are not members, you may need embassy or consulate legalization instead, which is a different and typically longer process. We can advise you on which authentication method your destination country requires.
Can you apostille a document that was notarized in another state? No. The California Secretary of State can only apostille documents notarized by a California notary public or bearing the signature or seal of a California official. If your document was notarized in another state, it must be apostilled by that state’s Secretary of State.
Ready to Get Started?
Need a document apostilled in Sacramento? Skip the lines at the Secretary of State. We handle it for you.