How to Get an Apostille in California in 2026: Complete Guide for Documents Abroad

# How to Get an Apostille in California in 2026: Complete Guide for Documents Abroad

You want to get married in Mexico. Or enroll your child in school in Guatemala. Or open a bank account in Colombia. Or recognize a child in El Salvador.

All of these processes have one thing in common: you need your American documents to be officially recognized in another country.

That's what the Apostille is for — the international seal that says: "This document is authentic and was issued by a legitimate U.S. authority."

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What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is a special certification that validates the authenticity of a public document for use in foreign countries that are part of the 1961 Hague Convention.

More than 120 countries recognize apostilles, including all Latin American countries.

In California, apostilles are issued by the California Secretary of State.

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What Documents Need an Apostille?

Apostilles apply to public documents such as:

Personal documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, diplomas and university degrees Legal documents: Powers of attorney (to be used abroad), trusts and wills (for international estate matters), contracts Corporate documents: Articles of incorporation (for foreign subsidiaries), certificates of good standing

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Latin American Countries That Accept Apostilles

All of the following countries recognize California-issued apostilles: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and more.

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Step-by-Step Process for a California Apostille

Step 1: Determine who issued the original document

California state documents (birth, marriage, divorce certificates issued by the county or state): → Go directly to the Secretary of State's office Notarized documents (powers of attorney, affidavits, notarized contracts): → The notary must be a California notary public whose signature is registered with the county → Then go to the Secretary of State Federal documents (passport, immigration documents): → Federal apostilles are issued by the U.S. Department of State, not California

Step 2: Prepare your apostille request letter

A well-prepared request letter should include: your name and contact info, description of the document, country where it will be used, number of apostilles requested, and return instructions.

Step 3: Submit by mail or in person

By mail: Send to California Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001 Fee: $20 per apostille (as of 2024)

Step 4: Receive your apostilled document

Processing times: same day in-person (by appointment), or 5–15 business days by mail.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is an apostille valid? The apostille itself doesn't expire. However, many countries require documents issued within the last 6 months. Can I request multiple apostilles in one submission? Yes. Each document requires its own apostille ($20 each), but you can send them all together. Can my Multi Servicios 360 power of attorney be apostilled? Yes. If your power of attorney is notarized by a California notary public, you can request an apostille from the Secretary of State.

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Prepare Your Apostille Request Today

At Multi Servicios 360, we help you prepare the apostille request letter correctly, with all information required by the California Secretary of State — in Spanish and English.

Starting at $79 — avoid mistakes that delay your process.

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Multi Servicios 360 is a document preparation platform. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. For specific consular procedures, consult directly with the relevant country's consulate.