Quick facts
- Category: Affidavit / Sworn Statement
- Apostilled by the California Secretary of State (Sacramento or Los Angeles)
- Fee: $20 per document (mail) or $26 (walk-in) at the California Secretary of State
- Free document review before you pay any government fee
- Tracked outbound and return shipping included
What to know
Affidavit route (self-prepared — no issuing office): 1. Draft the affidavit. State that you have no criminal record, with identity details and the purpose. Attach an official record only if you have one and the destination asks. 2. Personally appear before a California notary with satisfactory ID. The notary administers an oath and completes a jurat; you sign in the notary’s presence. 3. Confirm the notary’s seal, signature, commission number, and expiration are present and legible. Official-record routes (if required): - California DOJ criminal record review (live-scan; a state record) — confirm with the destination whether a notarized copy apostilled in California is acceptable. - FBI Identity History Summary (“FBI background check”) — federal; authenticate through the U.S. Department of State, not the CA SOS. Who can swear it. You, about your own record. Cost + timeline for THIS step.
Frequently asked questions
Will a self-sworn affidavit be accepted?
Sometimes — but many destinations require the official DOJ record or FBI background check. Confirm first.
Can California apostille my FBI background check?
No — it’s a federal document handled by the U.S. Department of State.
What about a California DOJ record?
It’s a state record; whether it’s apostilled directly or via a notarized copy depends on the destination — confirm before submitting.
What exactly do I submit (affidavit route)?
Your sworn affidavit, notarized with a jurat. The SOS apostilles the notary’s signature.
Common destinations
Countries this document is most often sent to (pulled from this page's own guidance). Every destination has its own rulebook — apostille (Hague) or full legalization (non-Hague).