California Secretary of State — Notary Public Section is the verified California authority. The captured fee is $20 per apostille; counter service adds $6 special handling per different public official signature. Open the official page before sending an original record because document preparation and delivery rules depend on the record type.
California apostille fee and official authority
- Responsible authority
- California Secretary of State — Notary Public Section
- Current fee
- $20 per apostille; counter service adds $6 special handling per different public official signature
- Jurisdiction
- California (CA)
- Official service page
- https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/request-apostille ↗
- Official form or fee page
- Use the request materials linked by the official service page
- Submission channels
- Mail, Sacramento counter, or Los Angeles regional counter under the official instructions
- Issuer
- Public authority listed above
What the California authority can authenticate
The document must be a California public document or contain a California notary/public official signature eligible for certification.
An apostille does not certify that the underlying statements are true. It certifies the origin of the public signature or seal for international use under the applicable process.
California apostille fee, payment, and exceptions
| Item | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Base fee | $20 per apostille; counter service adds $6 special handling per different public official signature |
| Payment | Use a payment method accepted on the official request page |
| Important exception | The $6 counter special-handling charge is assessed per different public official signature, not simply per envelope. |
California does not require a destination country on every request, but the receiving authority may have its own rules.
How to prepare the request
- Confirm the issuing jurisdiction.Use this route only when the signature, seal, or public record is within California authority.
- Confirm the destination country.Check whether the receiving country participates in the Hague Apostille Convention or requires authentication/legalization.
- Prepare the record correctly.Follow the official page for original, certified-copy, notarization, county-certification, or translation requirements.
- Include the exact fee and return method.Use the verified fee above and the payment method accepted by the public office.
- Submit through an official channel.Mail, Sacramento counter, or Los Angeles regional counter under the official instructions.
Conditions and limitations to check before submission
- The document must be a California public document or contain a California notary/public official signature eligible for certification.
- The $6 counter special-handling charge is assessed per different public official signature, not simply per envelope.
- California does not require a destination country on every request, but the receiving authority may have its own rules.
- The destination authority can impose translation, recency, or document-format requirements even after an apostille is issued.
Source verification
The authority, fee, and state-specific conditions are tied to public sources.
- California Secretary of State — Notary Public SectionCalifornia apostille fee, authority, and service instructionsOfficial source ↗
- National Association of Secretaries of StateState apostille and document-authentication directorynass.org ↗
- U.S. Department of StateFederal document and Hague-destination guidancetravel.state.gov ↗
The page records the official fee and key service conditions. The responsible authority’s live page controls current counter access, processing capacity, forms, and payment availability.
California apostille answers
Who issues apostilles for California?
The verified authority is California Secretary of State — Notary Public Section.
How much does a California apostille cost?
The captured official fee is $20 per apostille; counter service adds $6 special handling per different public official signature
Can SecretaryOfStateUSA.com issue a California apostille?
No. This private directory only links to the responsible public authority.
Does a federal document use the California apostille process?
No. U.S. federal documents generally require a federal authentication authority rather than a state office.
Do I need an apostille or authentication certificate?
An apostille is used for a destination participating in the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention; a non-Hague destination can require authentication or legalization instead.