California Apostille Guide — SOS Authentication & Couriers

California SOS overview

The California Secretary of State authenticates eligible public documents for Hague Convention countries. Some documents must first be notarized or certified by a county clerk. Regional counter service may be available—check current SOS locations and appointments.

Document prep checklist

Use certified vital records when required. Ensure notary seals are complete and legible. For school or medical records, confirm whether a notarized copy is enough or if an issuing-agency certification is mandatory.

Expedited options

If you have a visa interview or overseas job start date, a courier can queue and file on your behalf. Compare turnaround, insurance for originals, and tracking. Never send your only copy without a plan to replace it.

Expedited courier options (California)

All listings below are EXAMPLE placeholders — not real companies or phone numbers.

• EXAMPLE — Pacific Apostille Runners

  EXAMPLE placeholder — not a real company.

  Sacramento / Bay Area (EXAMPLE)

  • Sacramento filing
  • Notary coordination
  • International return shipping

• EXAMPLE — Golden Gate Docs Express

  EXAMPLE placeholder — not a real company.

  Statewide mail-in (EXAMPLE)

  • Same-week rush (when available)
  • Corporate document batches

FAQ

Do I need an apostille or an embassy legalization?

Hague Convention countries use apostilles. Non-Hague destinations may need authentication plus consular legalization. Confirm with the receiving authority.

Can a courier notarize my documents?

Some partners offer mobile notary add-ons; others only file already-prepared documents. Ask before you ship.