Quick facts
- Source: CDPH (state vital records) — not the county recorder
- Only the certified long-form copy is apostille-eligible
- Apostilled by the California Secretary of State
- Accepted by Hague Convention member countries
- We confirm spelling, parent names, and seal before submission
What to know
County recorder copies of California birth certificates frequently lack the certification format the Secretary of State requires for apostille, and short-form, informational, or 'wallet' copies are not eligible at all. We route every order to CDPH so you receive the long-form certified copy on the security paper the SOS will accept on the first submission. Once your CDPH copy arrives, we prepare it for apostille and submit it to the California Secretary of State; the apostilled original is returned with tracking.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a copy from the county recorder?
No. We route every California birth certificate to CDPH because county copies often lack the certification format the Secretary of State requires.
Will an informational or 'wallet' copy work?
No. Only the certified long-form copy on official CDPH security paper is apostille-eligible.
How long does the CDPH order take?
CDPH timing varies by current workload. Once the long-form copy arrives, the Secretary of State apostille step is typically 1–5 business days at the counter or by mail.
Do you need the original mailed to you?
After CDPH issues the long-form copy, you can either mail the original to us or, in some flows, have CDPH ship directly. We confirm the exact route in your plan.