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 — the exporter prepares it; a California notary public notarizes the certifying signature. CA SOS Notary Public Section: (916) 653-3595. Notarized route (steps): Prepare the commercial invoice with complete, accurate details (parties, goods, value, HS codes, country of manufacture) and a certification statement. The exporter’s authorized signer 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: The exporter or the exporter’s authorized officer. Required forms: None statewide — the company’s own invoice plus California notary acknowledgment wording. Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): Up to $15 per signature (Gov. Code §8211). Mobile/travel fees.
Frequently asked questions
Who signs the invoice for notarization?
The exporter or its authorized officer, before a California notary.
Do I need to apostille the invoice, the CO, and the packing list together?
Often yes for the same shipment — each is notarized and apostilled separately ($20/$26 each) if the destination requires it.
Is there a government fee?
No — it is a private document; the cost is the notary fee plus the apostille.
Acknowledgment or jurat?
Usually an acknowledgment; confirm with the destination.
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).