Before You Visit the California Secretary of State for an Apostille

Step 1: Complete the Apostille Request Cover Sheet

When you go to the California Secretary of State for an apostille, one of the first things you need is the Apostille Request Cover Sheet. This form tells the Secretary of State where the document will be used, how many apostilles you are requesting, and how the completed document should be returned. Without the correct request form, your submission may be delayed or rejected.

What to Prepare Before Going to the Secretary of State

1. Complete the Apostille Request Cover Sheet. Make sure your name, contact information, destination country, and return method are correct.
2. Bring the correct document. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, notarized documents, school records, and business documents may have different requirements.
3. Confirm the signature is eligible. The apostille verifies the signature of a recognized California public official, such as a county clerk, county recorder, notary public, or state official.
4. Prepare the required fee. Have payment ready for each apostille and any special handling fee if submitting in person.
5. Use a return envelope for mail-in requests. If you are mailing your documents, include a self-addressed return envelope.
6. Plan for certified translation if the document will be used in another language. Some foreign agencies, schools, courts, or civil registries may require a certified translation after the apostille is issued.

Do You Need Translation Before or After the Apostille?

This depends on the receiving country or institution. Some offices want the original document apostilled first and then translated. Others may want both the original document and the apostille page translated together after the apostille is attached.

American Translations and Interpreting Services provides certified translations for apostilled birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, transcripts, powers of attorney, court documents, and other official records for international use.

Official California Apostille Resources

Before submitting your document, always check the current California Secretary of State instructions, forms, fees, and processing times.

• California Secretary of State Apostille Request Page
• California Apostille FAQs
• Current Apostille Processing Times

Need a Certified Translation for an Apostilled Document?

Send us a clear scan or photo of your document, and we can prepare a certified translation for international, legal, academic, or government use.

California Secretary of State Sacramento Office

1500 11th Street, 2nd and 3rd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

California Secretary of State Los Angeles Office

300 South Spring Street, Room 12513
Los Angeles, CA 90013

American Translations and Interpreting Services

Certified translation services for apostilled documents, USCIS filings, legal documents, academic records, and international use.