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. California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division. Order channels: - Online: bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov (certified copies / certificates for corporations, LLCs, and LPs — typically fastest). - Mail: Secretary of State, Certification and Records, P.O. Box 944260, Sacramento, CA 94244-2600. - Drop-off (in person): 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 (priority over mail; special handling fee applies). Certified route (how to obtain a certified copy): 1. Identify the entity and the specific filing(s) — entity name, SOS file number, and which document(s) you need certified. 2. Order a CERTIFIED copy of those documents (or “All Documents on Record” if needed) — say “certified copy for apostille / international use.” 3. Pay the fees (below). Confirm the SOS certification stamp, signature, and State Seal are present before submitting for apostille. Who can request it..
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do I order?
A certified copy of the specific filed corporate document(s) from the California Secretary of State. Say “certified copy for apostille.”
Can I get my whole filing history?
Yes — order “All Documents on Record.” It costs more because of the per-page fees.
Can I just print it from the state website?
No — a free image isn’t certified. The apostille authenticates the SOS certification on a paid certified copy.
How much is the certified copy?
$5 certification plus copy fees ($1 first page, $0.50 each additional) — more for longer documents.
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).