Apostille in Sacramento: where California documents are apostilled

California documents are apostilled by the California Secretary of State, whose headquarters are in Sacramento, the state capital. Every US state apostilles its own documents, so what decides is the place that issued the document, not where you live. You do not need to go in person: you send a scan, we check the version that is accepted, and the request runs through our processing network.

If you live in Sacramento but the document is from another state or from Brazil, the apostille comes from there instead.

See the Apostille Service

Key takeaways

• California documents are apostilled by the California Secretary of State, based in Sacramento.
• The place that issued the document decides, not where you live.
• Vital records are apostilled as a certified copy from vital records, not a notarized photocopy.
• A Brazilian document is apostilled in Brazil, electronically, with no travel.
• The apostille and a certified translation can go in the same order.

Table of contents

• Who issues a California apostille
• Which copy is accepted
• Documents from other states or from Brazil
• How to order it
• FAQ

Who issues a California apostille

Every US state apostilles its own documents through its Secretary of State. For a California document, that is the California Secretary of State, headquartered in Sacramento. Florida documents we file ourselves, in Tallahassee; California and every other state run through our processing network, so you never have to stand in line.

Which copy is accepted

Document	Which version is apostilled
Birth, marriage or death certificate	Certified copy from vital records, not a notarized photocopy
Divorce decree	Copy certified by the clerk of court
Diploma	With the registrar’s signature notarized first
Power of attorney	Signed before a notary before the apostille

A notarized photocopy is the most common reason for refusal, which is why we confirm the version before you pay.

Documents from other states or from Brazil

Living in Sacramento does not change the rule. A document from another state is apostilled by that state, and a Brazilian document is apostilled in Brazil by a registry authorized by the CNJ. The Brazilian apostille is electronic, with a QR code, and our partner registry covers all 27 states.

How to order it

• Send a scan of the document and tell us which country it is going to.
• We check that it is the right version before charging.
• Approve the itemized quote: official fee, service and shipping.
• Receive the electronic apostille by email, or the original by tracked mail.

If the destination also asks for a translation, we do it in the same order. Our certified translation in Sacramento page explains that service.

FAQ

Who apostilles a California document?

The California Secretary of State, headquartered in Sacramento. Every US state apostilles its own documents.

Do I need to go to Sacramento in person?

No. You send a scan, we check the version, and the request runs through our processing network.

Can a notarized copy of my certificate be apostilled?

Usually not. States apostille the certified copy issued by vital records.

I live in Sacramento, but my document is Brazilian. Where is it apostilled?

In Brazil, by a registry authorized by the CNJ. The Brazilian apostille is electronic, so you do not need to travel.

Have a California document to apostille?

Send the scan and tell us where it is going. We check the version before charging.

See the Apostille Service

Related topics: apostille services | certified translation in Sacramento | certified translation | help center

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