Before you order an apostille, check your certified copy against the points below. If you're not sure after checking, call the office that issued it (the County Clerk, County Recorder, or court clerk) and ask whether the copy can be apostilled by the California Secretary of State.
Birth and death certificates
Look at the signature and title near the bottom of the certificate.
| If it's signed by... | Ready for apostille? |
|---|---|
| The State Registrar (California Department of Public Health, CDPH) | Yes |
| A County Recorder or County Clerk (or their deputy) | Yes |
| A Health Officer, Local Registrar, or Registrar of Vital Records | Not yet |
If it's signed by a Health Officer or Local Registrar, the Secretary of State can't apostille it as is. You have two options: have the County Clerk in the county that issued it certify the signature, or order a new certified copy from the County Recorder or CDPH. Ordering a new copy from the County Recorder is usually the simplest.
Marriage certificates
The certified copy should come from the County Recorder or County Clerk in the county where the license was issued, or from CDPH. Confidential marriage certificates are only available from the County Clerk.
Divorce decrees
You need a certified copy of the judgment from the California Superior Court that handled the case, with the court clerk's certification and seal. A plain copy, or a copy you printed from a court portal, won't work.
For every document
- It must be an original certified copy, not a photocopy or scan.
- The certified copy must have been issued within the last 5 years. Look for the date the copy was issued, not the date of the event.
Need a new certified copy?
Find the right office in every California county with our California Vital Records Directory.
Ready to order?
Full-service California apostille: $190 in 3 business days, or Same-Day for $299. All California state fees and FedEx 2Day return shipping included. Submit your request here.
Documents that were notarized instead? Run a quick $5 notary certificate pre-check, credited toward your order.
Source: California Secretary of State, Apostille Request Form. This page is general information, not legal advice. Sergio Musetti, California Notary Public since 2001 | CaliforniaApostille.US | (707) 992-5551
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