Quick facts
- Many destinations want a Certificate of finality / non-appeal alongside the judgment (#52) — confirm.
- Some foreign uses require an EXEMPLIFIED copy ($50 + pages, §70628) — confirm before ordering.
- Never notarize the judgment — 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 conformed/plain copy or download instead of a clerk-certified copy.
What to know
Issuing office. The Superior Court clerk (civil / records division) in the county where the judgment was entered. Certified route (how to obtain a certified copy): 1. Gather the case number, party names as filed, and the judgment date. (No case number can trigger a $15 search fee if the search exceeds 10 minutes.) 2. Request a CERTIFIED copy of the judgment — "for apostille / international use." Consider also a Certificate of finality (#52) and/or Abstract of Judgment (#53) if the destination needs them. 3. If a foreign jurisdiction requires it, request an EXEMPLIFIED (triple-certified) copy instead. 4. Pay the fees (see below). Confirm the clerk's seal and signature are legible. Who can request it. Civil judgments are generally public; any party (and often the public) can request certified copies. Confirm any sealing/restrictions. Required forms. The court's records/copy request form,.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do I order?
A certified copy of the entered civil judgment from the Superior Court.
How much is the certified copy?
$40 (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4)). The $15 divorce rate does not apply.
Will an apostille make a foreign country enforce my judgment?
No — it authenticates the document; enforcement depends on the destination's law/treaties.
Do I also need a Certificate of finality?
Often yes — many destinations want proof the judgment is final and non-appealable (#52).
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).