Request an Apostille

The California Secretary of State’s office is excited to announce the launch of our Apostille Pop-Up Shop event series. Throughout the year, the Secretary of State team will partner with local county offices to bring in-person Apostille services to a location near you. See below for upcoming events and be sure to check this page regularly as more dates will be added.

Bakersfield – Thursday, September 12, 2024
In partnership with the Kern County Auditor-Controller-County Clerk

• 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Kern County Administrative Building
  1115 Truxtun Avenue, 1st Floor
  Bakersfield, CA 93301
• Free Parking

Dublin – Thursday, September 26, 2024
In partnership with the Alameda County Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder

• 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Dublin Public Library
  200 Civic Plaza
  Dublin, CA 94568
• Free Parking

Santa Ana – Wednesday, October 9, 2024
In partnership with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder

• 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Orange County Clerk-Recorder's Office
  601 North Ross Street, First Floor, Room 103
  Santa Ana, CA 92701

San Diego – Tuesday, November 19, 2024
In partnership with the San Diego Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk's Office

• 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk's Office
  1600 Pacific Highway, Room 273
  San Diego, CA 92101
• Free Parking

San Francisco – Monday, December 9, 2024
In partnership with the San Francisco County Clerk's Office

• 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• San Francisco Permit Center
  49 South Van Ness, 2nd Floor
  San Francisco, CA 94103

What to Bring:

1. A document signed by a California public official or an original notarized and/or certified document. A photocopy is not acceptable.
2. A completed Apostille Pop-Up Shop Request Cover Sheet.
3. A fee of $20.00 per Apostille, plus an additional $6.00 Special Handling fee for each different public official’s signature to be authenticated, is required. Payment can be made by Visa, Mastercard, Check or Money Order. Checks or money orders must be made payable to Secretary of State. No Cash.

We recommend arriving as early as possible during the event to guarantee service.

The California Secretary of State provides an Apostille to authenticate California public officials' signatures on documents to be used outside the United States of America.

In addition to our Apostille Pop-Up Shops, there are multiple routine ways to obtain an Apostille in California:

1. By Mail - An Apostille can be requested by mail through our Sacramento office.

How to Request an Apostille by Mail

• Mail requests are processed by the Sacramento office only.
• Four (4) items are required for processing an Apostille:
  1. A document signed by a California public official or an original notarized and/or certified document. A photocopy is not acceptable.
  2. A cover sheet stating the country in which the document will be used. You may use our Apostille Mail Request Cover Sheet, or write your own.
  3. A check or moneyorder payable to Secretary of State in the amount of $20.00 per Apostille requested.
  4. A self-addressed envelope for the processed document to be returned. If you wish to use a mail tracking service, please provide pre-paid postage. If you do not provide pre-paid postage, our office will return your document via United States Postal Service regular mail.
• Mail documents via United States Postal Service to:

• See Apostille Frequently Asked Questions
• Get Contact Information

In Person - An Apostille can be requested in person at our Sacramento and Los Angeles offices.

How to Request an Apostille in Person in Sacramento

Secretary of State (Sacramento)
1500 11th Street, 2nd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

The Sacramento 2nd floor public counter is open for in-person, same day service. Please obtain a take-a-number ticket from the dispenser in front of Room 255 and wait for your number to be called. Please be mindful of the following:

• A fee of $20.00 per Apostille is required. Payment can be made by credit card (Visa or Mastercard), check, money order, or cash. Checks or money orders must be made payable to Secretary of State..
• A $6.00 Special Handling fee is required for each different public official’s signature to be authenticated.
• A cover sheet stating the country in which the document will be used is required. You may fill out and print our Apostile Request Cover Sheet (Sacramento) to include with your request or fill out the form by hand upon arrival at our office.
• • See Apostille Frequently Asked Questions
  • Get Contact Information

  How to Request an Apostille in Person in Los Angeles

  Secretary of State (Los Angeles)
  300 South Spring Street, Room 12513
  Los Angeles, CA 90013

  The Los Angeles office located in the Ronald Reagan building is open for in-person, same day service. After obtaining a take-a-number ticket upon arrival, you may be asked to wait on the second floor until your number comes up. Please be mindful of the following:

  • A fee of $20.00 per Apostille is required. Payment can be made by credit card (Visa or Mastercard), check, or money order. Checks or money orders must be made payable to Secretary of State. Cash is not accepted at the Los Angeles office.
  • A $6.00 Special Handling fee is required for each different public official’s signature to be authenticated.
  • A cover sheet stating the country in which the document will be used is required. You may fill out and print our Apostile Request Cover Sheet (LA) to include with your request or fill out the form by hand upon arrival at our office.
  • Questions?
    • See Apostille Frequently Asked Questions
    • Get Contact Information

    For more information, visit our Apostille Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

    Related Links

    • Legislation
    • California Codes
    • California Regulations
    • Private Service Companies