California Apostille: Fees, Addresses and Steps (2026)
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Fees
- $20 per apostille.
- $6 special handling fee per distinct official signature, for in-person requests (CA SOS: Request an Apostille; Apostille FAQs).
What to send
- The original document, a cover sheet or request form naming the destination country, and payment.
- Vital records: birth or death certificates signed by a county registrar may first need certification by the county clerk before the state can apostille them (same source).
By mail (processed in Sacramento only)
- USPS: Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001
- Courier (FedEx/UPS): 1500 11th Street, 2nd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
In person
- Sacramento: 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor. Cash is accepted.
- Los Angeles: 300 S. Spring Street, Room 12513 (temporarily Suite 1215). Cash is not accepted.
Check the CA SOS page for current hours and processing times before you go.
Notarizing a document first?
California notaries can charge up to $15 per signature (CA notary fees). If an out-of-state online notary notarizes it, the apostille must come from that notary's state, not California.
Rather not do it yourself?
Apostille services handle notarization, county steps and state filing for a fee: apostille service. If your document first needs notarizing, online options: Notarize · OneNotary · NotaryLive.
Confirm with the receiving country whether it needs an apostille or an authentication certificate. Non-Hague countries need authentication instead. See what is an apostille.
Related guides
- California Notary Fees (2026) and Where to Get Notarized
- Florida Apostille: $10 Fee, Mail Address and Vital Records Rules
- Georgia Apostille: $3 via GSCCCA
- How to Apostille an FBI Background Check
- Illinois Apostille: $2 Fee, Chicago Office and Mail Steps
- New York Apostille: County Clerk Step, Fees and Addresses