Quick facts
- Category: Business / Corporate
- 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
Issuing office: None — the CPA/audit firm prepares the report; a California notary public notarizes a signature on it or a sworn copy affidavit. CA SOS Notary Public Section: (916) 653-3595. Notarized route (steps): Obtain the signed audit report (with the audited financial statements, if required). Either have the auditor or an authorized company officer sign a certification before a California notary (acknowledgment), or prepare a sworn copy affidavit and have the notary execute a jurat. The notary attaches the certificate and affixes the seal. Confirm legibility and that the commission number/expiration appear. Who can sign it: The auditor (CPA/firm representative) or an authorized company officer (for a copy affidavit, the document custodian). Required forms: None statewide — the audit report plus California notary acknowledgment or jurat wording. Cost + timeline for THIS step.
Frequently asked questions
Who signs the audit report for notarization?
The auditor (CPA/firm representative) or an authorized company officer, before a California notary.
Do I include the financial statements?
If the destination wants the full set, keep the audited financial statements attached to the report.
Does the apostille verify the audit is accurate?
No — it authenticates the notary’s signature only; it doesn’t validate the report’s contents.
They also want proof my auditor is a real CPA — same document?
No — that’s a separate CPA license verification (registry #185), handled on its own.
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).