Copy Certify and Apostille Passport Copy

How to Certify and Apostille a Copy of Your Passport

Orange County Apostille | Trusted Passport Copy Apostille Services

If you’ve been asked to provide a copy of your U.S. passport for official use abroad—whether for a visa application, dual citizenship, immigration filing, residency permit, or business registration—you’ll often be required to certify the copy and obtain an apostille so it is legally valid in another country.

At Orange County Apostille, we specialize in exactly that. We help clients across California and beyond get their passport copies certified, notarized, and apostilled quickly, correctly, and compliantly.

🔹 Why Apostille a Copy of Your Passport?

A passport is a federal identification document. However, since the U.S. Department of State does not apostille actual passports, the correct process is to:

Make a clear photocopy of your passport (usually the photo and ID page)
Certify the copy through a California notary public using a sworn affidavit
Submit the notarized affidavit for a California state-level apostille

This allows foreign governments or institutions to legally accept the passport copy in accordance with the Hague Apostille Convention.

📎 California Secretary of State – Apostille Guidelines

📎 Hague Conference – Apostille Convention Overview

🌍 When You Might Need a Passport Copy Apostilled

Clients come to us for passport copy apostilles in a variety of situations, including:

Applying for dual citizenship (e.g., Italy, Mexico, Spain, Colombia)
Immigration sponsorship abroad (proving U.S. identity)
Real estate transactions overseas
Power of Attorney filings in another country
Foreign university registration or background checks
Starting a business in a Hague Convention country
Visa applications for countries like Spain, Portugal, and Brazil

Each of these requires a properly certified and apostilled copy of your passport, not just a regular photocopy.

📝 How the Process Works – Step-by-Step

At Orange County Apostille, we streamline the process into three simple steps:

✅ Step 1: Copy and Certify the Passport

We begin by making a high-resolution photocopy of your passport photo ID page. Then, we prepare a Copy Certification by Document Custodian affidavit, which states:

“I, [Name], certify that this is a true and correct copy of the original passport belonging to me.”

This form is notarized by a California Notary Public, making the document eligible for apostille.

🖇️ Learn About Copy Certification by Document Custodian

✅ Step 2: Apostille from California Secretary of State

Once notarized, we submit the document to the California Secretary of State to receive the official apostille certificate. This confirms to foreign authorities that the notary is valid and the document is authentic.

📎 Apostille Requests – California Secretary of State

✅ Step 3: Return and Delivery

We return your apostilled document via priority mail or local pickup. You can use it immediately for submission to consulates, embassies, or foreign institutions.

🌐 Countries That Commonly Request Apostilled Passport Copies

Some of the most frequent destinations that request apostilled passport copies include:

🇮🇹 Italy – For dual citizenship and legal residency
🇲🇽 Mexico – For Power of Attorney and inheritance matters
🇵🇹 Portugal – For visa and NIF (tax number) applications
🇪🇸 Spain – For family reunification or NIE number
🇨🇴 Colombia – For real estate and immigration filings
🇧🇷 Brazil – For residency or consular filings
🇬🇷 Greece – For pension and dual nationality claims

These countries require apostilled passport copies under the Hague Apostille Convention, ensuring international recognition without needing further legalization.

📎 List of Hague Apostille Member Countries

🔐 Security and Accuracy Guaranteed

Your passport is one of your most sensitive documents. That’s why we:

Handle all documents with strict confidentiality
Provide tracking and confirmation at each step
Use only state-approved notarization procedures
Offer translation services if required by foreign authorities
Accept walk-ins, mail-in requests, and even offer mobile notary services in Orange County

💬 FAQs – Passport Copy Apostille

Q: Can I apostille the original passport?

A: No. U.S. passports are federal documents that cannot be apostilled directly. Only a notarized copy can be apostilled at the state level.

Q: What if I live outside California?

A: We accept mail-in orders from anywhere in the U.S. or abroad. Just send us your passport copy and ID using our intake form.

Q: How long does it take?

A: Standard turnaround is 3–5 business days. Expedited service available upon request.

Q: Can I get the apostilled document translated?

A: Yes! We provide certified translations in 90+ languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French.

📍 Visit or Contact Orange County Apostille

Let us help you get your passport copy apostilled the right way—quickly, securely, and professionally.

📍 17875 Von Karman Ave, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92614

📞 Call or Text: 818-606-7442

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 https://orangecountyapostille.org