Are you planning to travel overseas? Or do you need to send documents abroad for a specific purpose? If yes, your document must undergo the apostille process to be admissible to a Hague Convention-party country.
In this post, we’ll guide you through obtaining an apostille certification, including the steps and requirements you need to know.
First time getting an apostille? Here’s an apostille step-by-step guide in California together with a hassle-free Los Angeles apostille service if you don’t want to deal with the bureaucracy!
Depending on your document type, a notary and apostille may be required. You’ll need to have it certified by a notary public, a court official, or a county clerk.
Take note that notarization is not needed for vital records, such as birth certificates, death certificates, and divorce certificates.
If your document is in another language or the destination country does not recognize English as an official language, you’ll need to secure a certified translation for your apostille documents.
Take note that the translation must be done by a professional and licensed translator as part of the apostille requirements. Otherwise, your apostille request will be denied.
Once you have all the documentary requirements, you need to fill out the California Secretary of State Apostille request form. You can download it from the State website for free.
Make sure you fill out each field correctly to avoid delays in your apostille verification.
Next, you need to submit your document to the California Secretary of State’s office. You can do this via mail or personal delivery, and the processing fee is $20 per apostille.
Make sure you include a self-addressed envelope to your request if you’re opting for mail delivery.
The standard processing time for apostille legalization takes around 5 to 7 business days. Still, it’s best to send your request as far ahead as possible to avoid hassle in case delays occur.
Once the Secretary of State has issued the apostille stamp and certification, they will mail your documents back to your address. You can also pick up the documents personally in the same office where you submitted the request.
Do all these sound like too much work for your busy schedule? If yes, you can seek the help of professionals like Rush In Documentation. They offer quick and easy apostille services, including standard, next-day, and same-day processing.
You need an apostille for any public or official document used in a country that’s part of the Hague Apostille Convention. For example, you’ll need an apostille for birth certificates, marriage certificates, business documents, immigration documents, and more if you’re using them overseas.
The Secretary of State charges $20 per apostille, which is separate from the other government fees you need to pay. You also need to pre-pay for postage if you’re shipping via services other than the United States Postal Service.
No, a notary public does not have the mandate to issue an apostille. Only the California Secretary of State can certify and legalize documents.
If you don’t know where to get an apostille, you can call your local State office or simply hire a professional apostille service.
The California Secretary of State usually takes 5 to 10 days to process an apostille for international use. Still, it’s best to make a request in case of potential delays associated with the vast number of requests their office gets.
Whether you’re traveling, studying, or doing business overseas, make sure you secure all the necessary apostilles for your documents. You can use this step-by-step apostille guide for U.S. documents to get started with the basics.
When in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask for professional help! This way, you can also explore expedited options if you need an urgent apostille.
