Quick facts
- Confirm the destination wants the initiating pleading vs. the judgment/order.
- Include all pages/attachments referenced in the pleading if the destination needs the full document.
- Some foreign uses require an EXEMPLIFIED copy ($50 + pages, §70628) — confirm before ordering.
- Never notarize the pleading — it's authenticated by the clerk's certification.
- General condition rules: no lamination · no post-notarization alterations · no tape · staple multipage · legible signatures/seals.
What to know
Issuing office. The Superior Court clerk (records division) where the case was filed. Certified route (how to obtain a certified copy): 1. Gather the case number, party names as filed, and filing date. (No case number can trigger a $15 search fee if the search exceeds 10 minutes.) 2. Request a CERTIFIED copy of the filed complaint/petition — "for apostille / international use." 3. If a foreign jurisdiction requires it, request an EXEMPLIFIED (triple-certified) copy. 4. Pay the fees (see below). Confirm the clerk's seal and signature are legible. Who can request it. Parties/attorneys; for public cases, often the public. Confirm access for sealed/family/juvenile matters. Required forms. The court's records/copy request form, if any. Order the filed (file-stamped) pleading. Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): - Certified copy of the complaint/petition: $40 (Gov. Code.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do I order?
A certified copy of the FILED complaint or petition from the Superior Court.
Does this prove the outcome?
No — it only proves a case was filed and shows the claims. For the result, order the judgment/order.
How much is the certified copy?
$40 (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4)).
Can I notarize it instead?
No — a filed pleading is authenticated by the clerk's certification.
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).