How to Request a Certified DMV Driving Record and Get It Notarized and Apostilled | Orange County Apostille

How to Request a Certified DMV Driving Record and Get It Notarized and Apostilled

A complete California guide for requesting a certified DMV Driving Record (H6 / full history), notarizing it, and preparing it for apostille or embassy legalization so it can be used overseas.

At Orange County Apostille, we frequently help clients who are asked for a certified DMV Driving Record plus an apostille or embassy legalization for:

Work visas and overseas employment packages
International driver’s license / car rental approvals
Residency applications in foreign countries
Insurance, corporate fleet, and professional licensing requirements

This page explains exactly how to:

Request an official, certified driving record from the California DMV
Ensure the record is suitable for notarization and apostille
Notarize and apostille your DMV Driving Record through California State Apostille services
Handle extra steps when your document is going to a non-Hague country that requires embassy legalization

24/7 Support: Orange County Apostille offers 24/7 apostille, notary, embassy legalization, and certified translation services for clients who need DMV records processed on very short timelines.

What Is a California DMV Driving Record?

A California DMV Driving Record is an official document issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that summarizes your driving history. It generally includes:

Driver license issuance and class
Current license status (valid, suspended, revoked, etc.)
Traffic violations and convictions
Accidents and points on your record
Administrative actions taken by the DMV

For international use, foreign governments, consulates, and employers usually require a certified (stamped) version of this record and may insist that it be apostilled as a DMV Driving Record or legalized through the appropriate embassy.

Because it is a state-issued record, your DMV Driving Record is generally processed through the California Secretary of State apostille channel rather than the U.S. Department of State federal apostille channel.

Certified vs. Unofficial DMV Driving Records

California offers two main types of driving records:

Unofficial / Online Driving Record

Requested through the DMV’s online services portal
Typically used for personal review or informal purposes
Not stamped or certified by the DMV
Not suitable for apostille, embassy legalization, or most official international uses

Certified DMV Driving Record (Official)

Requested in person at a DMV office or by mail using Form INF 1125
Stamped and certified by the DMV as an official record
Recognized as an official California public record
Required for apostille or embassy legalization in most cases

If your DMV Driving Record will be presented to a foreign employer, immigration authority, or court, you should always request the certified, stamped record and then have it processed through California State Apostille or non-Hague embassy legalization services.

Step 1 – Decide Which DMV Driving Record You Need

Before requesting your record, clarify exactly what your recipient is asking for. Common requests include:

Full history driving record (H6) – Shows your complete history, including past violations, suspensions, and points.
3-year driving record – Shows a shorter timeframe, often used by employers or insurance companies.
Certified driver record for court or visa – Specifically requested as a “certified driver record” with a DMV stamp.

Ask the foreign employer, consulate, or agency if they require:

A full history or limited-year record
An apostille only (for Hague countries)
Or full embassy legalization (for non-Hague countries listed in your non-Hague apostille and legalization guide)

Step 2 – Request a Certified California DMV Driving Record

To obtain a certified DMV Driving Record suitable for apostille, you typically have three options:

Option A – In-Person at a California DMV Office

Download or obtain Form INF 1125 – “Request for Your Own Driver License/ID Card or Vehicle/Vessel Registration (VR) Information Record.” (This form is referenced on the official DMV Vehicle or Driver Record Requests page.)
Complete Form INF 1125 with your full legal name, driver license number, date of birth, and current mailing address.
At the top of the form or within the request section, write clearly: “Requesting a Certified Driver Record” so the DMV knows you need an official, stamped copy.
Bring valid identification (your California driver license or identification card).
Submit the form and pay the DMV’s fee at the service window.
Request that the clerk issue a certified, stamped driving record printed on DMV security paper.

Option B – By Mail Using Form INF 1125

Download and complete Form INF 1125 from the California DMV website.
In the request section, specify that you need a “certified driver record (full history)” or the time period requested by your recipient.
Include the DMV’s required fee (check or money order) as described on the form instructions.
Mail your completed INF 1125 and payment to the DMV’s Information Release Unit at the address indicated on the form or official DMV instructions.
Allow sufficient processing time for the DMV to mail your certified driving record back to you.

Option C – Online Driver Record (Usually Not Suitable for Apostille)

California also allows you to view and print an online driving record through the DMV portal. However:

Online records are usually unofficial and not stamped or certified by the DMV.
Most foreign agencies insist on a certified paper record for apostille or legalization.
For international use, you should still plan to obtain a certified DMV Driving Record via in-person or mail–in request before working with Orange County Apostille’s DMV Driving Record apostille service.

Step 3 – Do You Need the DMV Driving Record Notarized?

In many cases, a certified DMV Driving Record can be apostilled directly as a public record issued by a California state agency. However, some foreign agencies, employers, or attorneys prefer that you also submit:

A notarized affidavit in which you confirm that the attached DMV Driving Record is your official, certified record; or
A notarized translation plus the DMV record when your recipient requires documents in another language.

Orange County Apostille, working in coordination with its notary public partner network, can help by:

Preparing and notarizing a sworn statement that accompanies your DMV Driving Record
Notarizing copies or translations where required by the destination country
Ensuring that the notarial format fully complies with California apostille requirements

If you are unsure whether your country needs a notarized affidavit or just the certified DMV record, this can often be clarified by comparing your case with the examples on the Most Popular Service Requests or by reviewing your destination in the Hague vs. Non-Hague country guide.

Step 4 – Apostille Your Certified DMV Driving Record

Once you have the certified DMV Driving Record (and any supporting notarized affidavit or translation), the next step is to obtain either:

A California State Apostille (for Hague Convention countries), or
Authentication + U.S. Department of State + Embassy Legalization (for non-Hague countries).

For Hague Convention Countries

If the destination country is part of the Hague Apostille system, your DMV Driving Record will typically follow this path:

Document review and preparation by Orange County Apostille.
Submission to the California Secretary of State for a state-level apostille, following the framework described in your California State Apostille – Complete Guide.
The apostille certificate is attached to your DMV Driving Record (and to any notarized affidavit, if required), validating it for use in the foreign Hague country.

For Non-Hague Countries (Embassy Legalization)

If your DMV Driving Record is going to a non-Hague country, such as certain Middle Eastern or Asian jurisdictions, the process often includes:

California state authentication (instead of apostille) on the DMV record or notarized affidavit.
If required, U.S. Department of State federal authentication, similar to the workflow described in your Federal Apostille & U.S. Department of State Authentication guide.
Embassy or consulate legalization with the destination country’s mission in the United States, following the same principles outlined on:

Orange County Apostille coordinates this entire chain for you—state level, federal level where needed, and foreign embassy or consulate legalization—so your DMV Driving Record is accepted without issue overseas.

Step 5 – Certified Translation (If Required)

Many foreign recipients require your DMV Driving Record and any accompanying affidavits to be presented in their official language. In those cases, you will need a certified translation in addition to the apostille or legalization.

Orange County Apostille partners with professional linguists through its translation service to provide:

Certified translations of DMV Driving Records and affidavits
Translations formatted to mirror the original layout as closely as possible
Translations suitable for attachment to an apostille or embassy legalization package

Because translation requirements can differ by country, your case may be similar to the examples listed in:

How Orange County Apostille Simplifies the DMV Driving Record Process

Rather than navigating separate agencies, forms, and timelines on your own, you can rely on Orange County Apostille for a turnkey workflow:

Document strategy – Confirm whether you need a certified DMV Driving Record only, or also a notarized affidavit, translation, and/or embassy legalization.
Notary coordination – Arrange in-office, mobile, or jail-facility notarization through partners like Your Local Notary Public when a notarial affidavit is required.
State-level apostille – Submit the DMV Driving Record through the California State Apostille process.
Federal & embassy legalization – For non-Hague countries, use the same multi-step structure described in your Non-Hague Apostille and Legalization resource pages.
24/7 availability – Because many clients face last-minute international deadlines, Orange County Apostille provides 24/7 apostille, notary, embassy legalization, and translation support for urgent DMV Driving Record cases.

To see how similar workflows operate for other document types, you can review:

Frequently Asked Questions – DMV Driving Record Apostille (20)

1. Do I always need a certified DMV Driving Record for apostille?

Yes. For California, an official, certified DMV Driving Record is strongly preferred. Unofficial online printouts are usually not accepted by foreign governments or employers for apostille or embassy legalization.

2. Can I apostille an unofficial DMV Driving Record printed from the website?

Typically no. Online records are considered informational only. For an apostille, you should obtain a certified DMV Driving Record issued in person or by mail, which includes the DMV’s official certification.

3. How do I tell the DMV I need a certified driver record?

When you complete Form INF 1125 or speak to the clerk, clearly state that you are requesting a “certified driver record”. This helps ensure the DMV prints your record with the proper certification stamp or notation.

4. Do I need the original DMV record, or is a copy enough?

For apostille, you generally need the original certified DMV Driving Record. If a notarized affidavit is attached instead, it must reference the original and be notarized correctly under California law.

5. How recent should my DMV Driving Record be?

Many foreign agencies prefer records issued within the last 30–90 days. Requirements vary by country, so it is smart to request a fresh DMV record shortly before starting the apostille or embassy legalization process.

6. Can Orange County Apostille request the DMV record for me?

Because DMV Driving Records contain protected personal information, they must generally be requested directly by the driver. However, Orange County Apostille can guide you through the INF 1125 process and then handle notarization, apostille, and embassy legalization after you receive the record.

7. Does my DMV Driving Record need to be notarized before apostille?

Not always. Some DMV records can be apostilled directly as public records. In other cases, foreign agencies prefer a notarized affidavit attached to the DMV record. Orange County Apostille can advise whether notarization is recommended for your specific destination country.

8. Is the apostille placed directly on the DMV Driving Record?

Yes. The California Secretary of State attaches the apostille certificate either directly to the DMV Driving Record or to a notarized affidavit referencing it, depending on how the file is prepared.

9. What if my DMV Driving Record contains an error?

You should contact the DMV to have any inaccuracies corrected before starting the apostille process. The apostille certifies the authenticity of the document—not the accuracy of its contents—so it is important that the record itself is correct first.

10. Can I use the same DMV Driving Record apostille for more than one country?

Technically yes, but many foreign authorities require documents to be recent and addressed specifically to them. It is common to obtain one apostilled DMV Driving Record per international application to avoid complications or delays.

11. Do I need a federal apostille for a DMV Driving Record?

No. A California DMV Driving Record is a state-level document, so it is generally processed through the California State Apostille channel. Federal apostille is used for federal documents, such as FBI background checks or Social Security letters.

12. What happens if my DMV record is going to a non-Hague country?

For non-Hague countries, your DMV Driving Record usually needs: state authentication, possible U.S. Department of State authentication, and final embassy or consulate legalization, much like the sequences described on Orange County Apostille’s Non-Hague apostille and legalization pages.

13. Do I need a certified translation of my DMV Driving Record?

If the destination country does not accept English, you will likely need a certified translation. Orange County Apostille arranges certified translations that can be attached to your DMV record and apostille or legalization package.

14. Can I combine my DMV Driving Record with other documents in one apostille request?

Each document receives its own apostille certificate, but Orange County Apostille can submit multiple documents together—such as a DMV Driving Record, FBI background check, and employment letter—to optimize timing and simplify shipping.

15. Is a photocopy of my DMV Driving Record acceptable for apostille?

A regular photocopy is usually not acceptable. In some cases, a notarized copy certification can be used, but most foreign authorities prefer the original certified DMV record issued directly by the DMV.

16. How does 24/7 service work for DMV Driving Record apostilles?

Orange County Apostille offers 24/7 support for document intake, coordination with notaries and translators, and preparation for state, federal, and embassy submissions. While government offices keep regular hours, your file can continue moving forward through other steps at any time of day or night.

17. Can Orange County Apostille ship my completed DMV Driving Record overseas?

Yes. Once the apostille or embassy legalization is complete, Orange County Apostille can arrange secure international delivery, often alongside other documents needed for your case, similar to the logistics described on their Mail-In Requests and Mailbox Shipping Center Partner Program pages.

18. What if my foreign employer changes requirements mid-process?

That is common. Orange County Apostille can adjust your workflow—adding notarized affidavits, extra translations, or embassy legalization—so that the final DMV Driving Record package matches the employer’s latest checklist without restarting from the beginning.

19. Can DMV Driving Records be used for immigration as well as employment?

Yes. Many immigration and residency applications ask for both a criminal background check and a driving history. Orange County Apostille routinely combines DMV Driving Records with FBI background checks, Social Security letters, and other records in a single apostille or legalization package.

20. How does this process compare to apostilling other personal records?

The DMV Driving Record process follows the same principles used for other personal documents—such as those in the What We Apostille overview and personal document services. The main difference is that DMV records must always begin with the California DMV’s own certified issuance before any notarization, apostille, or embassy legalization can be done.