Quick facts
- Confirm the foreign process wants an apostilled subpoena vs. a Hague Evidence Convention letter of request.
- Some foreign uses require an EXEMPLIFIED copy ($50 + pages, §70628) — confirm before ordering.
- Never notarize the subpoena — it's authenticated by the clerk's certification.
- General condition rules: no lamination · no post-notarization alterations · no tape · staple multipage · legible signatures/seals.
- Submitting a plain photocopy instead of a clerk-certified copy.
What to know
Issuing office. The Superior Court clerk (civil / records division) where the subpoena was issued. Certified route (how to obtain a certified copy): 1. After the subpoena is issued, request a CERTIFIED copy from the clerk — "for apostille / international use." 2. If a foreign jurisdiction requires it, request an EXEMPLIFIED (triple-certified) copy instead. 3. Pay the fees (see below). Confirm the clerk's seal and signature are legible. Who can request it. Parties/attorneys in the case. Required forms. The court's records/copy request form, if any. Confirm whether the proper channel is actually a Hague letter of request rather than an apostilled subpoena. Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): - Certified copy of the subpoena: $40 (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4)). - Exemplified / triple-certified copy: $50 (§70628) + page fees. - Copy preparation: $0.50/page (§70627(a)). - Timeline:.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do I order?
A certified copy of the court-issued subpoena (SUBP-001/002/010) from the Superior Court.
Will an apostilled subpoena compel a foreign witness?
No — cross-border evidence usually goes through the Hague Evidence Convention (letters of request). The apostille supports a process that requests it.
How much is the certified copy?
$40 (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4)).
Can I notarize it instead?
No — it's 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).