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
Self-prepared — no issuing office. 1. Draft the affidavit. Name the person you’re supporting and your relationship, state your commitment and (if required) income/assets, and attach supporting proof the destination asks for (e.g., bank letter, employment letter — each may need its own notarization/apostille if separately required). 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. Who can swear it. The sponsor (the person promising support). Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): notary $15 for the jurat (Gov. Code §8211(b)); usually same-day. Drafting is free. (Supporting financial documents may carry their own notarization/apostille if the destination requires them.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as the I-864?
No. The federal Form I-864 is for U.S. immigration and isn’t apostilled. This is a private sworn sponsorship statement for use abroad.
What exactly do I submit?
Your sworn Affidavit of Support, notarized with a jurat. The SOS apostilles the notary’s signature.
Do I need to attach proof of income?
Only if the destination requires it; if so, attach it (and apostille it separately if they require that too).
Acknowledgment or jurat?
Jurat — support affidavits are sworn.
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).