California Hague apostille
Do you need a Hague apostille for your California document? We provide Secretary of State Apostille and Embassy legalization services in the State of California and nationwide, for documents intended for international use.
If you are traveling overseas, or sending a California document for use in a foreign country, you may be required to have the document apostilled or legalized. California Hague apostilles have been adopted internationally as a uniform way of verifying documents sent between countries.
In the State of California, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document by staples. It is signed by the California Secretary of State (facsimile signature) and has the Seal of the Office of the Secretary of State. California apostilles are issued in English/French/Spanish.
California apostille: $175
Processing time: app. 2 weeks + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
Birth certificates
California apostille requirements for birth certificates
To be eligible for California apostilles, California birth certificates need to be certified copies issued by
Birth certificates signed by County Health Officers, Deputy Health Officers, Health Care Agencies, or County Vital Records Sections are also acceptable. However they require additional legalization steps.
The signature, name, and title of the public official can be found at the bottom of a birth certificate.
Old documents are acceptable (in most cases). However, check with the receiving foreign agency if they will accept an old document. Many foreign agencies require that the document is recently issued.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
To obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate, contact County Clerk/Recorder, County Registrar-Recorder, County Controller-Recorder, County Assessor-Recorder in the county where the birth was registered: County Registrars and Recorders
You can also obtain a certified copy from the Department of Public Health: Vital Records Obtaining Certified Copies of Birth Records
Do not order a birth certificate from the Local Registrar. The processing of an apostille will take additional time (sometimes, a few weeks) and will involve additional costs
California is a "closed record" state. That means that birth certificates are not public records. The following individulas are eligible to get a certified ("authorized") copy of the birth certificate:
Who can get an authorized copy: The registrant, a parent or legal guardian, a child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the registrant, or someone with a court order or legal authority
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a California apostille
Send the original birth certificate to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
Death certificates
California apostille requirements for death certificates
To be eligible for California apostilles, California death certificates need to be certified copies issued by
Death certificates signed by County Health Officers, Deputy Health Officers, Health Care Agencies, or County Vital Records Sections are also acceptable. However they require additional legalization steps.
The signature, name, and title of the public official can be found at the bottom of a death certificate.
Old documents are acceptable (in most cases). However, check with the receiving foreign agency if they will accept an old document. Many foreign agencies require that the document is recently issued.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
To obtain a certified copy of a death certificate, contact County Clerk/Recorder, County Registrar-Recorder, County Controller-Recorder, County Assessor-Recorder in the county where the death was registered: County Registrars and Recorders
You can also obtain a certified copy from the Department of Public Health: Vital Records Obtaining Certified Copies of Death Records
Do not order a death certificate from the Local Registrar. The processing of an apostille will take additional time (sometimes, a few weeks) and will involve additional costs
California is a "closed record" state. That means that death certificates are not public records. The following individulas are eligible to get a certified ("authorized") copy of the death certificate:
Who can get an authorized copy: Only specific individuals can obtain an authorized certified copy, including the decedent's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, or their legal representatives.
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a California apostille
Send the original death certificate to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
Marriage records
California apostille requirements for marriage certificates
To be eligible for California apostilles, California marriage certificates need to be certified copies issued by
Marriage certificates signed by County Health Officers, Deputy Health Officers, Health Care Agencies, or County Vital Records Sections are also acceptable. However they require additional legalization steps.
The signature, name, and title of the public official can be found at the bottom of a marriage certificate.
Old documents are acceptable (in most cases). However, check with the receiving foreign agency if they will accept an old document. Many foreign agencies require that the document is recently issued.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact County Clerk/Recorder, County Registrar-Recorder, County Controller-Recorder, County Assessor-Recorder in the county where the marriage was registered: County Registrars and Recorders
You can also obtain a certified copy from the Department of Public Health (1905-1999, 2008-2024): Vital Records Obtaining Certified Copies of Marriage Records
Do not order a marriage certificate from the Local Registrar. The processing of an apostille will take additional time (sometimes, a few weeks) and will involve additional costs
If you have a certified copy of the marriage certificate, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a California apostille
Send the original marriage certificate to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
Divorce records
California apostille requirements for divorce records
There are two types of California divorce records acceptable for apostilles:
Actual divorce judgments and decrees: To be eligible for California apostilles these documents need to be certified copies obtained from the Superior Court in the county where the divorce took place.
Certificates of Record: California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) maintains divorce records for 1962 through June 1984. These records consist only of the face sheet of the divorce action – not the actual divorce decree. CDPH-VR is only able to provide you with a Certificate of Record, which includes the names of the parties, filing date, county, and case number of the divorce.
Old documents are acceptable (in most cases). However, check with the receiving foreign agency if they will accept an old document. Many foreign agencies require that the document is recently issued.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
To obtain a certified copy of a divorce judgment, contact the Superior Court in the county where the divorce took place.
For a Certificate of Record (1962 through June 1984), contact the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR): Vital Records Obtaining Certified Copies of Divorce Records
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a California apostille
Send the original divorce judgment or Certificate of Record to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
Single status documents
California apostille requirements for Single Status Certificates and Affidavits
If you’re planning to get married abroad, you’ll likely be asked to provide proof that you’re legally free to marry.
In California, you have two options to meet this requirement:
(1) A Single Status Certificate issued by the county, or
(2) A Single Status Affidavit signed by you and notarized by a California notary public.
Option 1:
In California, a Single Status Certificate - also called a Letter of No Record or Certificate of No Impediment - is an official document stating that no marriage record exists for an individual in a specific county. This certificate is issued by the county clerk’s office in the county where the person currently resides. County Registrars and Recorders
Option 2:
You can prepare a Single Status Affidavit, which you will sign and have notarized by a California notary public. This affidavit is a sworn statement confirming that you are single and free to marry.
Since requirements vary by country, we recommend having your fiancé(e) check if a specific format or additional details are needed for acceptance.
Your affidavit must be properly notarized with a California jurat. Documents that only have a notary’s signature and stamp - without a proper notarial certificate - will be rejected.
Remotely notarized documents: California law requires a person to appear personally before a notary public to obtain notarial acts like acknowledgments or jurats. This means the party must be physically present before the notary public. A video image or other form of non-physical representation is not a personal appearance in front of a notary public under current California State law.
Electronically notarized documents: California notaries public are authorized under current law to perform notarizations on documents electronically as long as all the requirements for a traditional paper-based notarial act are met, including the use of a seal for all but two specific documents used in real estate transactions.
Single Status Affidavit samples
Here are a few Single Status Affidavit samples:
General Single Status Affidavit form * English-Spanish Single Status Affidavit * English-French Single Status Affidavit
Country-specific forms: We have samples for the following countries:
Albania * Armenia (Armenian) * Armenia (English) * Austria * Canada * Canada (2) * China (Affidavit of Single Status) * Indonesia (consular form) * Indonesia * Italy (Nulla Osta) * Laos * Russia * South Korea * Taiwan * Thailand * Turkey * Ukraine * Vietnam *
Disclaimer: The single status affidavit samples above were provided by clients who successfully used them. We recommend asking your fiancé(e) to obtain a sample affidavit from the country where you plan to marry and using that as a reference. If you have a single status affidavit sample from any country that you'd like to share, we would greatly appreciate your help. Please feel free to contact us.
Get a California apostille
Send the original notarized Single Status Affidavit or Single Status Certificate to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
Powers of attorney
California apostille requirements for powers of attorney
To be eligible for California apostilles, powers of attorney (POA) must be properly notarized by a California notary public and must contain an acknowledgment.
An acknowledgment confirms that the signer personally appeared before the notary, was properly identified, and declared that they willingly signed the document. While the document can be signed before the notary appointment, the signer must still appear in person to confirm the signature.
Here is a sample California Certificate of acknowledgment.
Only the signer's printed name should appear on the acknowledgment form. No title, no signer's signature.
The acknowledgment can be on a separate page or printed on the document.
Remotely notarized documents: California law requires a person to appear personally before a notary public to obtain notarial acts like acknowledgments or jurats. This means the party must be physically present before the notary public. A video image or other form of non-physical representation is not a personal appearance in front of a notary public under current California State law.
Electronically notarized documents: California notaries public are authorized under current law to perform notarizations on documents electronically as long as all the requirements for a traditional paper-based notarial act are met, including the use of a seal for all but two specific documents used in real estate transactions.
If multiple individuals are signing the document, the notary should notarize each signature.
Get a California apostille
Send the original notarized power of attorney to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
Affidavits, consents, sworn statements, letters
California apostille requirements for notarized documents (sworn statements, affidavits, consents, letters, etc.)
If you need to obtain a California apostille for a power of attorney, authorization, consent, or affidavit notarized by a California notary public, ensure that the document is notarized properly. Depending on the document, the notary must include either an acknowledgment or a jurat. Documents that only have a notary’s signature and stamp - without the notarial certificate - will be rejected.
Acknowledgment: The signer must personally appear before the notary to be identified and to declare that the signature on the document is their own and that they signed willingly. While it's common for the signer to sign in front of the notary, it's not always necessary; the document can be signed beforehand.The purpose of an acknowledgment is to ensure the signer is who they claim to be and has voluntarily signed the document.
Here is a sample California Certificate of acknowledgment.
Jurat: In California, a jurat is used to notarize documents where the signer is swearing to the truthfulness of the contents of the document. This typically involves an oath or affirmation administered by a notary public. Jurats are commonly used for affidavits, declarations, and other legal documents where a sworn statement is required.
Here is a sample California Jurat.
Only the signer's printed name should appear on the acknowledgment and jurat forms. No title, no signer's signature.
The acknowledgment/jurat can be on a separate page or printed on the document.
Remotely notarized documents: California law requires a person to appear personally before a notary public to obtain notarial acts like acknowledgments or jurats. This means the party must be physically present before the notary public. A video image or other form of non-physical representation is not a personal appearance in front of a notary public under current California State law.
Electronically notarized documents: California notaries public are authorized under current law to perform notarizations on documents electronically as long as all the requirements for a traditional paper-based notarial act are met, including the use of a seal for all but two specific documents used in real estate transactions.
If multiple individuals are signing the document, the notary should notarize each signature.
Get a California apostille
Send the original notarized document to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
School diplomas and transcripts
California apostille requirements for diplomas and transcripts
To be eligible for California apostilles, academic documents such as diplomas, transcripts, verification letters and general school records issued by high schools, colleges, and universities of California, must be certified by a school official (Registrar, Principal, etc.), and notarized prior to be presented for an apostille. The notary should use a proper Certificate of acknowledgment.
Here is a sample California Certificate of acknowledgment.
Only the signer's printed name should appear on the acknowledgment form. No title, no signer's signature.
The acknowledgment can be on a separate page or printed on the document.
Remotely notarized documents: California law requires a person to appear personally before a notary public to obtain notarial acts like acknowledgments or jurats. This means the party must be physically present before the notary public. A video image or other form of non-physical representation is not a personal appearance in front of a notary public under current California State law.
Electronically notarized documents: California notaries public are authorized under current law to perform notarizations on documents electronically as long as all the requirements for a traditional paper-based notarial act are met, including the use of a seal for all but two specific documents used in real estate transactions.
Get a California apostille
Send your certified and notarized diploma/transcript to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
Passports, IDs
California apostille requirements for copies of passports and IDs
To get a California apostille for your passport or ID, the copy must be properly notarized by a California notary public.
Important: California notaries are not allowed to certify copies of documents directly. Instead, follow one of the approved methods below:
Option 1 -Self-Certify the Copy:
- Make a clear photocopy of your document.
- On the copy, write and sign the following statement:
- Date: [insert date]
- Sign this statement in front of a California notary.
- Make sure the notary includes a valid notarial certificate — either California Certificate of acknowledgment or California Jurat:
- Submit the document for an apostille along with the Order Form by mail.
Only the signer's printed name should appear on the acknowledgment/jurat form. No title, no signer's signature.
The acknowledgment/jurat can be on a separate page or printed on the document.
Option 2 - Copy Certification by Document Custodian form:
Ask the notary to use California Copy Certification by Document Custodian.
Here is the sample California Copy Certification by Document Custodian.
Remotely notarized documents: California law requires a person to appear personally before a notary public to obtain notarial acts like acknowledgments or jurats. This means the party must be physically present before the notary public. A video image or other form of non-physical representation is not a personal appearance in front of a notary public under current California State law.
Electronically notarized documents: California notaries public are authorized under current law to perform notarizations on documents electronically as long as all the requirements for a traditional paper-based notarial act are met, including the use of a seal for all but two specific documents used in real estate transactions.
Get a California apostille
Send a certified notarized copy of your passport / ID to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
Background checks
California apostille requirements for background checks
To get an apostille for a California criminal history background check, you'll need to obtain the background check from the California Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ will provide a document signed by the Attorney General / Criminal Identification Specialist (who signs the letter on behalf of the DOJ)
These documents do not need to be notarized, the signatures of Attorney General or Criminal Identification Specialist (who signs the letter on behalf of the DOJ) can be authenticated directly.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
To obtain a certified background check, contact the California Department of Justice: Criminal Records - Request Your Own | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General.
California background checks are fingerprint based.
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a California apostille
Send the original background check with a letter signed by the Attorney General / Criminal Identification Specialist along with the Order Form by mail for a California apostille.
FBI background checks
It is a federal document!
The states do not issue apostilles for FBI background checks. FBI background check (also called Identity History Summary) is a federal document, therefore it has to be apostilled on the federal level. Federal apostilles are issued by the U.S. Department of State in Washington DC.
This document does not need to be notarized.
How to get your criminal background check from the FBI?
The FBI offers two methods for requesting you criminal background check (Identity History Summary Check)
Option 1: Submit your request directly to the FBI
Option 2: Submit to an FBI-approved Channeler. Note that FBI-approved Channelers may only process requests for a U.S. person (an individual who is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident)
If you have the FBI back ground check, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a federal (FBI) apostille
Email the PDF file or send the hard copy of the FBI background check by mail along with the Order Form for a federal apostille.
IRS Forms 6166 (double taxation)
It is a federal document!
Form 6166 (U.S. Residency certification) is a letter printed on the U.S. Department of Treasury stationery certifying that an individual was/is a resident of the United States for the purposes of income tax laws of the United States. You may use this form to claim income tax treaty benefits and certain other tax benefits in foreign countries.
The states do not issue apostilles for Form 6166. It is a federal document, therefore it requires a federal apostille. Federal apostilles are issued by the U.S. Department of State in Washington DC.
Please note that this document does not need to be notarized.
How to get Form 6166 from the IRS?
Order Form 6166 with an apostille or embassy legalization ONLINE.
If you have the original Form 6166, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a federal apostille
Send the original Form 6166 by mail along with the Order Form for a federal apostille.
Articles of incorporation, organization, certificate of incorporation
California apostille requirements for Articles of Incorporation / Organization
The California Articles of Incorporation (or Articles of Organization for LLCs) is the official document filed with the California Secretary of State to establish your business as a legal entity. While it confirms your company’s formation, it does not reflect current status - for that, you’ll need a Certificate of Good Standing.
For apostille or legalization, you must submit a certified copy issued by the California Secretary of State. Notarized copies are not accepted.
Usually, getting an apostille for incorporation documents involves two steps - first, getting the document, then submitting it for an apostille.The process can be confusing. While corporate agents only get documents and apostille companies only process apostilles, we handle both. We can get articles of incorporation and/or a certificate of good standing with an apostille, making everything fast and easy for you.
Order online a certified copy of your company's California Articles of Incorporation / Organization and/or a California Certificate of Good Standing with a Hague apostille(s). The price for the retrieval and an apostille is $325 per document, processing time: 2-3 weeks.
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a California apostille
If you have a certified copy and our free document evaluation confirmed that it is eligible for an apostille email /send by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
Certificate of good standing /certificate of status
California apostille requirements for Certificates of Good Standing (Status)
The purpose of the apostilled Certificate of Good Standing (Certificate of Status) is to prove to foreign governments that your California corporation or LLC was formed and is in good standing with the State of California and is authorized to do business in the State of California.
California Certificate of Status ordered online is eligible for an apostille. Just email the PDF file to us. Notarized copies are not accepted.
Usually, getting an apostille for Certificates of Good Standing (Status) involves two steps - first, getting the document, then submitting it for an apostille.The process can be confusing. While corporate agents only get documents and apostille companies only process apostilles, we handle both. We can get your company's Certificate of Status with an apostille, making everything fast and easy for you.
Order online a certified copy of your company's California Articles of Incorporation / Organization and/or a California Certificate of Good Standing (Status) with a Hague apostille(s). The price for the retrieval and an apostille is $325 per document, processing time: 2-3 weeks.
If you have a certified copy, email it for a free document evaluation.
Get a California apostille
If you have the Certificate of Status and our free document evaluation confirmed that it is eligible for an apostille email /send by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
Corporate by-laws, LLC operating agreements
California apostille requirements for copies of Bylaws and Operating agreements
The original Bylaws or Operating agreement is maintained in the company’s internal records.
To have a copy of the Bylaws or Operating agreement apostilled in the State of California, prepare an affidavit confirming that the attached document is a true and complete copy of the original company's Bylaws / Operating agreement (Affidavit for company documents). The affidavit should be signed by a company officer and properly notarized.
California notarization requirements are strict. Make sure the notary not only signs and stamps the document but also uses a notarial statement - acknowledgment or jurat. You can also ask the notary to use California Copy Certification by Document Custodian.
Remotely notarized documents: California law requires a person to appear personally before a notary public to obtain notarial acts like acknowledgments or jurats. This means the party must be physically present before the notary public. A video image or other form of non-physical representation is not a personal appearance in front of a notary public under current California State law.
Electronically notarized documents: California notaries public are authorized under current law to perform notarizations on documents electronically as long as all the requirements for a traditional paper-based notarial act are met, including the use of a seal for all but two specific documents used in real estate transactions.
California law prohibits notaries from certifying copies of documents.
If you are not able to get the bylaws / operating agreement notarized by a California notary, we can have a copy of the document notarized and apostilled in Washington DC. Order a DC apostille online.
Get a California apostille
Send a copy of the bylaws / operating agreement and the original notarized affidavit by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
Corporate powers of attorney, authorizations
California apostille requirements for corporate powers of attorney
To be eligible for a California apostille, a corporate power of attorney must be properly notarized by a California notary public and must contain an acknowledgment.
Acknowledgment: The signer must personally appear before the notary to be identified and to declare that the signature on the document is their own and that they signed willingly. While it's common for the signer to sign in front of the notary, it's not always necessary; the document can be signed beforehand.The purpose of an acknowledgment is to ensure the signer is who they claim to be and has voluntarily signed the document.
Here is a sample California Certificate of acknowledgment.
Only the signer's printed name should appear on the acknowledgment form. No title, no signer's signature.
The acknowledgment can be on a separate page or printed on the document.
Remotely notarized documents: California law requires a person to appear personally before a notary public to obtain notarial acts like acknowledgments or jurats. This means the party must be physically present before the notary public. A video image or other form of non-physical representation is not a personal appearance in front of a notary public under current California State law.
Electronically notarized documents: California notaries public are authorized under current law to perform notarizations on documents electronically as long as all the requirements for a traditional paper-based notarial act are met, including the use of a seal for all but two specific documents used in real estate transactions.
If multiple individuals are signing the document, the notary should notarize each signature.
Get a California apostille
Send the original notarized power of attorney by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
Corporate resolutions, minutes
California apostille requirements for copies of company resolutions and minutes
To have a copy of a company Resolution or Minutes apostilled in the State of California, prepare an affidavit confirming that the attached document is a true and complete copy of the original company Resolution / Minutes (Affidavit for company documents). The affidavit should be signed by a company officer and properly notarized.
California notarization requirements are strict. Make sure the notary not only signs and stamps the document but also uses a notarial statement - acknowledgment or jurat. You can also ask the notary to use California Copy Certification by Document Custodian.
Remotely notarized documents: California law requires a person to appear personally before a notary public to obtain notarial acts like acknowledgments or jurats. This means the party must be physically present before the notary public. A video image or other form of non-physical representation is not a personal appearance in front of a notary public under current California State law.
Electronically notarized documents: California notaries public are authorized under current law to perform notarizations on documents electronically as long as all the requirements for a traditional paper-based notarial act are met, including the use of a seal for all but two specific documents used in real estate transactions.
California law prohibits notaries from certifying copies of documents.
If you are not able to get a copy of your company Resolution / Minutes notarized by a California notary, we can have a copy of the document notarized and apostilled in Washington DC. Order a DC apostille online.
Get a California apostille
Send a copy of the Resolution / Minutes and the original notarized affidavit by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
Corporate stock ledgers and share certificates
California apostille requirements for a copy of Corporate Stock Ledger and Share Certificates
The original Stock Ledger and Share Certificates are maintained in the company’s internal records.
To have copies of these documents apostilled in the State of California, prepare an affidavit confirming that the attached documents are true and complete copies of the Stock Ledger and Share Certificates (Affidavit for company documents). The affidavit should be signed by a company officer and properly notarized.
California notarization requirements are strict. Make sure the notary not only signs and stamps the document but also uses a notarial statement - acknowledgment or jurat. You can also ask the notary to use California Copy Certification by Document Custodian.
Remotely notarized documents: California law requires a person to appear personally before a notary public to obtain notarial acts like acknowledgments or jurats. This means the party must be physically present before the notary public. A video image or other form of non-physical representation is not a personal appearance in front of a notary public under current California State law.
Electronically notarized documents: California notaries public are authorized under current law to perform notarizations on documents electronically as long as all the requirements for a traditional paper-based notarial act are met, including the use of a seal for all but two specific documents used in real estate transactions.
California law prohibits notaries from certifying copies of documents.
If you are not able to get the Stock Ledger / Share Certificates notarized by a California notary, we can have copies of these documents notarized and apostilled in Washington DC. Order a DC apostille online.
Get a California apostille
Send a copy of the Stock Ledger / Share Certificate(s) and the original notarized affidavit by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
Certificates of Incumbency
California apostille requirements for certificates of incumbency
To qualify for a California apostille, a Certificate of Incumbency must be properly notarized by a California notary public and include an acknowledgment.
An acknowledgment confirms that the signer personally appeared before the notary, was properly identified, and declared that they willingly signed the document. While the document can be signed before the notary appointment, the signer must still appear in person to confirm the signature.
Here is a sample California Certificate of acknowledgment.
Only the signer's printed name should appear on the acknowledgment form. No title, no signer's signature.
The acknowledgment can be on a separate page or printed on the document.
Remotely notarized documents: California law requires a person to appear personally before a notary public to obtain notarial acts like acknowledgments or jurats. This means the party must be physically present before the notary public. A video image or other form of non-physical representation is not a personal appearance in front of a notary public under current California State law.
Electronically notarized documents: California notaries public are authorized under current law to perform notarizations on documents electronically as long as all the requirements for a traditional paper-based notarial act are met, including the use of a seal for all but two specific documents used in real estate transactions.
If multiple individuals are signing the document, the notary should notarize each signature.
Get a California apostille
Send the original notarized Certificate of Incumbency by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a California apostille.
IRS Forms 6166, tax documents
It is a federal document!
Form 6166 (U.S. Residency certification) is a letter printed on the U.S. Department of Treasury stationery certifying that a company was/is a resident of the United States for the purposes of income tax laws of the United States. You may use this form to claim income tax treaty benefits and certain other tax benefits in foreign countries.
The states do not issue apostilles for Form 6166. It is a federal document, therefore it requires a federal apostille. Federal apostilles are issued by the U.S. Department of State in Washington DC.
Please note that this document does not need to be notarized.
How to get Form 6166 from the IRS?
Order Form 6166 with an apostille or embassy legalizatioN ONLINE
If you have the original Form 6166, email it for a free document evaluation
Get a federal apostille
Send the original Form 6166 by mail along with the Order Form for a federal apostille.
Certificates to Foreign Government, documents issued by U.S. federal agencies
It is a federal document!
If your company is exporting products to a foreign country, the destination country government will request a Certificate to Foreign Government which will guarantee that the product is in compliance with U.S. laws and U.S. regulations.
The states do not issue apostilles for federal documents. These documents requre federal apostilles issued by the U.S. Department of State in Washington DC.
Please note that these documents do not need to be notarized.
How to get your criminal background check from the FBI?
Get a federal apostille
Email an electronically certified document or send the original document by mail along with the Order Form for a federal apostille.
Issuance of a single Authentication certificate (Apostille): Effective January 1, 2017, the California Secretary of State's office issues a single Authentication certificate for documents to be used outside of the country rather than issuing either an Apostille (for Hague countries) or Certificate (for non-Hague countries). For example, if your document is intended for use in the UAE (which is a non-Hague country), California will issue an apostille for it, and then the document will need to go to the Embassy / Consulate of the UAE. Strict requirements for notarized documents: California notary acknowledgment form or California notary jurat form. The notary needs to be active. Old notarized documents where the notary commission expired are not eligible for apostilles.
Copy certification by notaries public: not allowed. Copy Certification by Document Custodian: allowed.
Documents in foreign languages: Accepted. The notarial statement must be in English.
Remotely notarized documents: not acceptable. California law requires a person to appear personally before a notary public to obtain notarial acts like acknowledgments or jurats. This means the party must be physically present before the notary public. A video image or other form of non-physical representation is not a personal appearance in front of a notary public under current California State law.
Electronically notarized documents: acceptable. California notaries public are authorized under current law to perform notarizations on documents electronically as long as all the requirements for a traditional paper-based notarial act are met, including the use of a seal for all but two specific documents used in real estate transactions.
California Certificate of Status ordered online is eligible for an apostille. Just email the PDF file to us.
Apostille verification: available.
Can a remotely notarized Power of Attorney be apostilled in California?
IMPORTANT! California does not allow remote notarization.
California law requires a person to appear personally before a notary public to obtain notarial acts like acknowledgments or jurats. This means the party must be physically present before the notary public. A video image or other form of non-physical representation is not a personal appearance in front of a notary public under current California State law.
Does the State of California issue electronic apostilles?
No. The State of California issues paper apostilles only.
Are California apostilles issued for documents in foreign languages?
Yes. But the notarial statement must be in English.
Can a California apostille be verified?
Yes. Here is the link to the page where you can verify a California apostille.
Can a CA apostille be rejected by a foreign country because it is not ribboned to the document?
According to the brochure issued by the Hague Convention (which clarifies many issues pertaining to apostilles), "failure to affix an Apostille to the public document in a particular manner is not a basis for refusing the Apostille".
- Google reviews
- Yelp reviews
- LinkedIn reviews
This company does what it advertises
Not me / Matthew / Google review Feb.2025
This company does what it advertises. They even Fedex'd my original apostille documents directly to Manila and they were waiting for me when I got there. I literally landed in Manila late Monday night and Tuesday morning I was submitting my paperwork for a SRRV retirement Visa. I am soooo happy I found this company - definitely worth every penny I spent.
Outstanding service...
Yuval Bugajski / Google review
I own a relocation agency in Paris, and for many French administrative procedures, birth and marriage certificates are crucial. Elena's outstanding service has been invaluable because obtaining these documents from Paris by ourselves is impossible.
Elena is professional, accurate and reliable. I've had the pleasure of working with her on numerous occasions, and I can confidently say she's someone you can completely trust, which is essential in any business partnership.
Highly recommended!
100% recommended!
Rosannys Ruíz / Google review
They processed my request to apostile documents from Wyoming and delivered them on time. 100% recommended!
We are so happy that we had such easy going and positive experience
Ann / Google Review
Thank you for your professional work, Elena! We have got our apostille recently and we are so happy that we had such easy going and positive experience, I thought before that the word “apostille” it must be complicated for sure, but your approach and wonderful work has completely changed my opinion:)
I would give 10 stars if possible!
Elie Himy / Google Review
I would give 10 stars if possible! I am applying for a visa in Spain and was given 10 days by the government to provide some apostilled documents. Foreign Documents Express was very responsive and helpful and were able to provide the necessary documents apostilled on such a short notice. I highly recommend their services. Thank you again!
Excelente
Diana Castillo / Google Review
Excelente
Fast dependable company
STEVE wilkinson / Google Review
Fast dependable company. NYC document sent and received at my door in a week. Thanks for your help.
I was under pressure to meet strict deadlines...
Katerina M., San Mateo, CA / Yelp review
I would give 10 stars if I could!
By far the very best agent for certifications and apostilles.
I highly recommend Elena for excellent communication, above and beyond service, competence, speed, professionalism and awesome pricing. I was under pressure to meet strict deadlines for a death certificate apostille for Greece. Elena saved the day and was a star throughout! I wish there were clones of hers everywhere in the world :).
With warmth and courtesy, Elena took away all the stress of bureaucracy, answered every small and big question of mine promptly and delivered far beyond my expectations. And all this with the most reasonable pricing in the market.
So wonderful to see excellent people doing excellent work. Thank you, Elena!
I was nervous I sent my forms to a place I didn't know...
Eve L., Orlando, FL / Yelp review
So I just got back from the Dominican Republic where I got married! Anyways I live in Orlando Florida and was born in NYC... since I decided to get married in my spouses country I needed my birth certificate to be apostilled, I had my original birth certificate from 1995 in mint condition... NYC was requiring a letter of authentication and that I ordered a new birth certificate. That would have not been a problem if I wasn't short on time. I contacted foreign documents express and Elena assisted me with every question I had. She advised if my birth certificate was original she can have that one apostilled... I went with my gut instinct and I Fed ex the document to her 2 day on Friday November 17 (weekends don't count) and she got it on Monday November 20th... I was nervous I sent my forms to a place I didn't know , I didn't know if this was legit long story short on November 22, 2017 Elena emailed me advising my document was successfully apostilled and was on its way back to me via Fed ex 2 day shipping....Amazing considering it was thanksgiving week and I was flying out of the country shortly.
For my wedding on December 3rd. This was the best $125.00 I have ever spent. Elena was super patient with me and all my questions and remained very professional. I'm back and my wedding was perfect and the fact that all my paperwork was in order was one less thing I had to worry about. If I ever need this service for what ever it is I will trust it no questions asked!!!!! If you need your document apostilled for what ever reason please don't hesitate with doing business with Foreign Documents Express... I am One that leaves detailed reviews as we as humans love to complain about the negative but never take a moment to applaud excellence. Thank you Foreign Documents Express for helping me and thank you Elena for answering all my questions it felt good that even though you been doing this for years you didn't treat me like I had also, you are awesome. Just know your one of the few that made my special day come true and Foreign Documents Express is lucky to have you representing it!!!!
A number of times they were able to catch mistakes I had made in my request that would have caused problems in the other countries.
Michael Flink / LinkedIn review
I have needed quite a few documents legalized over the past few years to use in other countries. I have found this company to be extremely knowledgable and very fast at getting the work done correctly. A number of times they were able to catch mistakes I had made in my request that would have caused problems in the other countries. I would recommend Foreign Documents Express.
You are in good hands.
Cecilia Morozov / Google review
Well...where do I start? I could write a story!
This company is so professional and Elena is just to good at her job. In all honesty, I was a bit sceptical about this, so if you feel the same, please don't worry , these people know exactly what they are doing, you are in good hands.
I live in England, but I am married and divorced in The United States, and to make it even more interesting, I am a Romanian citizen, so I had to have my documents retrieved from the court that proclaimed my divorce in the states (a new legalized copy was needed for the apostille) and then I had to have it apostilled.
It all seamed impossible, until I have surfed the web and found Elena and Foreign Documents Express .
They literally took care off everything, and within 6 weeks I had my documents delivered via FedEx , right on my door steps.
If you think it's pricey , well, it is not! I have saved so much personal time and travel time, I wouldn't of known where to start.
And only to mention, I have been in touch with other companies of such in the states, but they couldn't deliver what Foreign Documents Express was able to .
It is a bit of a shame that people don't leave more reviews, this company deserves good advertisement!
Simply amazing!
Julia Fagá Alves / Google review
Simply amazing! Elena made what I thought impossible, possible.
Prezzi molto onesti.
Janet Calì / Google review
Di solito non lascio recensioni ma questo servizio merita assolutamente le 5 stelle, davvero efficiente, mi sono trovata benissimo. Elena è molto disponibile, precisa e amichevole, pronta ad aiutare il cliente per qualsiasi informazione. Prezzi molto onesti. Consiglio fortemente questo servizio per chi ne necessita, grazie Elena!
Quick response and very fast service
Andres Ortiz / Google review
Absolute star! Quick response and very fast service in getting us an apostille for a marriage certificate. Trustable and clear all along the way, cannot recommend these guys any higher.
This is an excellent service, highly efficient, which keeps its word.
Martine Ronsac / Google review
This is an excellent service, highly efficient, which keeps its word. In view of an international marriage to be celebrated in France, my fiancé and I required an apostille for his NYC birth certificate. Foreign Documents Express replied forthwith to my request with a clear time frame for procurement. They also kept us informed throughout as to the progress of the procedure. And then they delivered, right on time. Who, as they say in the trade, could ask for anything more ?
Fast, friendly and best bang for your money.
peter kurt / Google review
The absolute best - fast, friendly and best bang for your money. I would repeat any day!
Responsiveness, Quality, Professionalism, Value
D
ana Bar /Google review
I highly recommend their services. Elena is fast, quick response and price is very reasonable.
I recommend this company highly, without reservation!
Oscar Jaeger /Google review
I needed to get an apostille for the death certificate of my client's father and Foreign Documents Express was able to obtain one practically overnight. The fee for their service was very reasonable. In addition, Elena was conscientious and courteous: after mailing the apostilled document to me and tracking it and learning that it had been left at my front door, she even wrote to me to make sure that I had actually received it. I recommend this company highly, without reservation!
Super fast and super efficient service.
Karan Gupta Consulting /Google review
You will not be able to find a better service than this. Super fast and super efficient service. Very reasonable and fair cost. Uber responsive to any query. Would highly recommend their services. For someone who has done their homework with other consultants, let me assure you that they are the best at what they do.
FDE provided excellent service
william Emanuel /Google review
FDE provided excellent service when I needed my documents authenticated at the Chinese consulate.
