Certified Authentication for International Use

At Orange County Apostille, we provide professional apostille and notarization services for identification documents, including state-issued ID cards, driver licenses, and passport copies. These documents are often required for legal, business, or immigration-related matters in foreign countries. Our experienced team ensures your ID documents are correctly notarized, authenticated, and apostilled in accordance with international requirements, specifically under the Hague Apostille Convention.

When Are Apostilled IDs, Driver Licenses, or Passports Required?

Certain international procedures require U.S. identification documents to be apostilled or legalized for use abroad. Common situations include:

Foreign residency or visa applications
Driver license verifications abroad
Opening a bank account or establishing financial identity overseas
International real estate transactions
Proof of identity for dual citizenship or immigration filings
Educational or employment onboarding in another country
Corporate compliance or foreign registration requirements

Countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention will recognize the apostille attached to your ID document as proof of its authenticity. For countries that are not members of the Hague Convention, we provide full embassy or consulate legalization services.

Which Forms of ID Can Be Apostilled?

The following identification documents are eligible for apostille, but only under specific conditions:

1. Driver License (State-Issued)

A physical copy must be notarized first by a California notary public.
The notarized copy is then submitted to the California Secretary of State for apostille.
Original licenses are not accepted directly for apostille.

2. State ID Cards

Must be copied and notarized before apostille processing.
Cannot submit the original ID for apostille.

3. U.S. Passports

Only notarized color copies of the passport ID page can be apostilled.
We recommend including the front cover and the main information page.
Originals are not apostilled due to federal issuance and security restrictions.

Important: Notarization Is Required Before Apostille

Neither the California Secretary of State nor the U.S. Department of State will apostille an original ID or passport. Instead, we create a notarized affidavit that affirms the authenticity of the attached color copy.

At Orange County Apostille, our team provides:

In-house notarization of your ID copies
Proper formatting of the notary acknowledgment
Secure handling of the notarized document through the apostille process
Optional certified translation services (if the document is being used in a non-English-speaking country)

Apostille Process for IDs and Passport Copies

Here’s a step-by-step outline of how we apostille an ID or passport copy:

Step 1: Notarization

You provide us with a clear color copy of your ID, driver license, or passport.
One of our licensed California notaries attaches a notarial certificate to the copy and performs a notarial acknowledgment of its authenticity.

Step 2: Apostille by California Secretary of State

The notarized copy is submitted to the California Secretary of State’s office.
The Secretary confirms the notary’s commission and attaches the apostille certificate to the document.

Step 3 (Optional): Translation and Courier Return

If needed, we offer certified translation into over 90 languages.
Completed documents are returned to you by priority mail or courier service.

Example Use Case

A client from Orange County needed to submit proof of identity for a property purchase in Spain. The Spanish notario required an apostilled copy of their U.S. passport. We notarized the color copy, processed the apostille through the Secretary of State, and returned the completed apostille within 72 hours. The client used the authenticated document during their overseas closing without delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apostille my original passport or driver license?

No. The original identification document cannot be apostilled directly. A notarized copy must be used.

Will foreign countries accept a notarized copy?

Yes. Once apostilled, the notarized copy of your ID or passport is considered officially recognized under the Hague Apostille Convention or through consular legalization for non-member countries.

Can you notarize and apostille my ID on the same day?

Yes. Same-day notarization and apostille submission is available by appointment. Turnaround time depends on the service speed selected.

I live outside California. Can I mail my passport copy to you?

Absolutely. We accept mail-in apostille requests from all 50 states and from clients living abroad. Visit our Mail-in Apostille Services page for instructions.

My ID is not in English. Can you translate it?

Yes. We offer certified translation services for your documents before or after apostille, depending on your destination country’s requirements.

Turnaround Times

We offer multiple service options:

Standard Apostille: 2–4 business days
Expedited Apostille: 24–48 hours
Same-Day Rush: Drop off and pickup available (call for availability)

Mail-In Instructions

If you’re not local to Orange County or prefer remote service:

Make a clear color copy of your passport or ID.
Print and sign our Authorization Form.
Ship your documents to: Orange County Apostille 17875 Von Karman Ave, Suite 150 Irvine, CA 92614

We’ll notarize the copy, complete the apostille process, and mail it back securely.

Why Choose Orange County Apostille?

Decades of combined experience with ID and passport authentications
On-site California licensed notaries
Certified translations in 90+ languages
Same-day and rush options available
Transparent pricing, secure processing, and white-glove customer service

We’ve helped thousands of clients authenticate their documents for global use—from real estate closings in Europe to visa applications in Asia.

Ready to Begin?

Whether you’re using your driver license for a visa application, your passport copy for international identity verification, or your ID for dual citizenship filings, our team can help.

Start Your Apostille or Request Mail-In Service