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 government-side — the company prepares the certificate (or a chamber issues it); a California notary public notarizes the officer’s signature. CA SOS Notary Public Section: (916) 653-3595. Notarized route (steps): Prepare the certificate on company letterhead stating the company’s trading activity, status, and details (or obtain a chamber-issued certificate). The authorized officer signs in the physical presence of a California notary, with acceptable ID. The notary completes a current California acknowledgment, attaches it, and affixes the seal. Confirm legibility and that the commission number/expiration appear. Who can sign it: An authorized officer of the company. Required forms: None statewide — the company’s own certificate plus California notary acknowledgment wording. Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): Notary up to $15 per signature (Gov..
Frequently asked questions
Does California issue a Certificate of Trade?
No — it’s self-certified by the company or issued by a chamber of commerce, then notarized for the apostille.
Is this the same as a Certificate of Good Standing?
No. Good Standing/Status is a state-filed SOS document (certified route #68–69); a certificate of trade is private/self-certified (notarized route).
Does the chamber stamp get apostilled?
No — the CA SOS authenticates the notary’s signature, not a chamber stamp.
Who signs it?
An authorized officer of the company, before a California notary.
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).