Blog Introduction: If you need to have a document authenticated for use in another country, you’ll likely need an apostille. An apostille is a certificate that verifies the authenticity of a document, and it’s recognized by countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention. In California, the Secretary of State’s office provides apostille services for certain types of documents. This guide will give you an overview of what you need to know about getting an apostille in California.
First, let’s talk about what types of documents you can get apostilled in California. Generally, you’ll need an apostille for documents that are issued by a government agency, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and court documents. The California Secretary of State’s office provides apostille service for these types of documents, as well as for notarized documents, such as power of attorney or affidavits.
If you need an apostille for a document that wasn’t issued by a government agency, such as a diploma or transcript, you may need to go through a different process. Some schools have a designated office that provides apostille services, but you may also need to have the document notarized before getting the apostille. Check with the country where you’ll be using the document to find out what their requirements are.
Next, let’s talk about the process of getting a California Apostille Service. You can either go through the standard process, which takes about two weeks, or you can use an expedited service, which takes 24 hours. Either way, you’ll need to complete an application and pay a fee. The fees vary depending on the type of document and whether you’re using the standard or expedited service.
To apply for an apostille, you’ll need to submit the original document and a copy of the document, along with the completed application and fee. If the document is not in English, you’ll need to provide a certified translation. Once the apostille is issued, it will be attached to the copy of the document, so be sure to make a copy for your records.
Finally, let’s talk about how much it costs to get an apostille in California. The fee varies depending on the type of document and whether you’re using the standard or expedited service. For example, as of 2021, the fee for an apostille on a birth certificate is $26 for the standard service and $66 for the expedited service. The fee for a notarized document is $20 for the standard service and $40 for the expedited service.
Getting an apostille in California can seem daunting, but it’s a relatively straightforward process. Just be sure to allow enough time for processing, and double-check that you have all the required documents and fees before submitting your application. With a little bit of planning and organization, you can get your document authenticated and ready for use in another country.