California
Los Angeles County
- Los Angeles
- Long Beach
- Glendale
- Santa Clarita
- Lancaster
- Palmdale
- Pomona
- Torrance
- Pasadena
- El Monte
- Downey
- Inglewood
- West Covina
- Norwalk
- Burbank
- Compton
- South Gate
- Carson
- Santa Monica
- Hawthorne
- Whittier
- Alhambra
- Lakewood
- Bellflower
- Baldwin Park
- Lynwood
- Redondo Beach
- Pico Rivera
- Montebello
- Monterey Park
- Gardena
- Arcadia
- Paramount
- Cerritos
- West Hollywood
- Claremont
- Covina
- Glendora
- La Mirada
- Temple City
- Century City
Orange County
- Anaheim
- Santa Ana
- Irvine
- Huntington Beach
- Garden Grove
- Fullerton
- Orange
- Costa Mesa
- Mission Viejo
- Westminster
- Newport Beach
- Buena Park
- Lake Forest
- Tustin
- Yorba Linda
- San Clemente
- Laguna Niguel
- La Habra
- Fountain Valley
- Placentia
- Rancho Santa Margarita
- Cypress
- Stanton
- San Juan Capistrano
- Dana Point
- Seal Beach
- Laguna Hills
- Aliso Viejo
- Laguna Beach
- Brea
- Los Alamitos
- Villa Park
- La Palma
Riverside County
- Riverside
- Corona
- Moreno Valley
- Murrieta
- Temecula
- Indio
- Menifee
- Hemet
- Perris
- Lake Elsinore
- Cathedral City
- Palm Desert
- Palm Springs
- Eastvale
- San Jacinto
- Coachella
- Wildomar
- Beaumont
- Norco
- La Quinta
- Banning
- Desert Hot Springs
- Rancho Mirage
- Indian Wells
- Calimesa
- Canyon Lake
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of an apostille?
An apostille is an official certification issued by a designated government authority that verifies the authenticity of a document for international use. It is used to confirm that the signatures, seals, or stamps on a document are legitimate, ensuring its recognition in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Apostilles are commonly required for legal documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, powers of attorney, and business agreements.
Who can issue an apostille in California?
In California, apostilles are issued exclusively by the California Secretary of State. The Secretary of State verifies the authenticity of public documents, such as notarized records or vital records, and attaches an apostille to confirm their validity for use in foreign countries. You cannot obtain an apostille from a notary public or any other agency—only the California Secretary of State has the authority to issue this certification.
What is the difference between an apostille and a notary?
A notary public is a licensed professional who verifies the identity of signers and ensures documents are signed willingly and correctly. However, a notary does not authenticate or certify the validity of the document itself—they only witness the signing.
An apostille, on the other hand, is a certification that verifies the legitimacy of a document for international use. It confirms that the document is properly signed and notarized (if required), and that the notary or public official has the legal authority to perform their duties.
In short:
- A notary notarizes a document, verifying the signature and identity of the signer.
- An apostille authenticates the document, ensuring its validity in foreign countries.
Can a notary become an apostille?
No, a notary public cannot issue an apostille. However, a notary plays an important role in the apostille process. In many cases, before a document can receive an apostille, it must be notarized. Once notarized, it must then be submitted to the California Secretary of State for the apostille certification.
While a notary cannot issue an apostille, many apostille service providers (including us) work with notaries to facilitate the process, ensuring that documents meet all requirements before being submitted for an apostille.