Get Your Apostille in the Orange County Area: A Complete Guide

Get Your Apostille in the Orange County Area: A Complete Guide

If you live in the Orange County area and need to use a U.S. document internationally, you’ve likely heard the term apostille. Whether for marriage abroad, dual citizenship, international business, study overseas, or legal representation, getting an apostille is crucial for ensuring that your documents are valid in a foreign country.

At Orange County Apostille, we specialize in helping individuals and businesses throughout Orange County navigate the apostille process quickly and correctly.

👉 Book your appointment with Orange County Apostille today and get your documents ready for international use.

What is an Apostille?

An apostille is an international certification attached to your original documents to verify their authenticity. It is issued under the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961 and allows your U.S. documents to be recognized in over 120 participating countries.

Unlike embassy legalization, which involves multiple steps, an apostille is a single certification issued by a competent authority such as the California Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents.

Types of Documents That Can Be Apostilled

In Orange County, we can help you obtain an apostille for a wide range of documents, including:

Birth Certificates (CDC Vital Records)
Marriage Certificates (California Department of Public Health)
Death Certificates
Divorce Decrees (California Courts)
FBI Background Checks (FBI Identity History Summary)
Notarized Power of Attorney (National Notary Association)
School Transcripts and Diplomas (U.S. Department of Education)
Business Documents such as Articles of Incorporation or Certificates of Good Standing (IRS)

Apostille Process in Orange County

1. Determine Document Origin

Your document’s origin determines the appropriate apostille authority:

California-issued documents must be apostilled by the California Secretary of State.
Federal documents must be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State.

2. Ensure Document Eligibility

Only originals or certified copies issued by a state or federal agency are eligible. Documents must be:

Clean and legible
Properly notarized (if applicable)
In English (translations must be certified and notarized)

3. Submit to the Proper Authority

You can submit documents to:

California Secretary of State’s Los Angeles office or mail them to Sacramento
Our office in Orange County, where we can manage the entire process on your behalf

4. Receive Your Apostille

The apostille is affixed to your document and returned to you. Turnaround time ranges from 24 hours (expedited) to 5-10 business days depending on the service level.

Why Choose Orange County Apostille?

Local Expertise: We’re based in Orange County and understand local document requirements
Fast Processing: Same-day and 24-hour services available
Secure Handling: We use trackable carriers like FedEx and UPS
Friendly Service: Our team is professional, helpful, and always available to guide you

Apostille for Common Purposes

1. Dual Citizenship

Countries like Mexico, Italy, and Spain require apostilled birth and marriage certificates. 👉 Contact your local Mexican consulate or Spanish consulate to confirm requirements.

2. Studying Abroad

Universities abroad often require apostilled diplomas and transcripts. Ensure your documents are issued by a recognized institution listed on the U.S. Department of Education.

3. Business and International Trade

Opening an office or conducting business internationally? Apostille your Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Good Standing, or tax filings through the IRS.

4. Marriage Abroad

Planning to get married in a foreign country? You’ll likely need an apostilled single status affidavit or birth certificate.

5. Foreign Real Estate Transactions

Buying or selling property abroad requires an apostilled Power of Attorney and sometimes a notarized copy of your passport.

Tips to Speed Up the Apostille Process

Use certified documents only—no photocopies or scans
Notarize documents properly using a licensed notary public
Request expedited service if you’re on a deadline
Double-check international requirements with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your destination country

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does the apostille process take in Orange County?

Standard: 5-10 business days
Expedited: 24-48 hours

Can you apostille documents issued outside of California?

Yes, but they must be sent to the Secretary of State of the issuing state.

What if my destination country is not part of the Hague Convention?

You’ll need embassy or consular legalization instead. We can assist with that as well.

Conclusion

In the Orange County area, we can help you get your apostille—fast, accurately, and with minimal stress. Whether you’re preparing documents for school, marriage, work, or citizenship abroad, Orange County Apostille is here to assist every step of the way.

👉 Book your appointment with Orange County Apostille and get started today!

Hague Apostille Convention – HCCH

U.S. Department of State Apostille Services

California Secretary of State Apostille Unit

FBI Identity History Summary Checks

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

CDC Vital Records

Social Security Administration

U.S. Courts – Federal Records

IRS – Request Your Transcript

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)