Quick facts
- Category: Academic
- 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: The registrar / academic department provides the descriptions/syllabi. A California notary public notarizes the official’s or custodian’s signature; use a mobile notary if needed. CA SOS Notary Public Section: (916) 653-3595. Notarized route (steps): Assemble the official course descriptions/syllabi (often a multipage packet). Either a school official signs an official-record statement, or the holder signs a Copy Certification by Document Custodian affidavit — in front of a California notary, with acceptable ID. The notary completes a current California acknowledgment (official) or jurat (custodian affidavit), attaches it, and affixes the seal. Confirm legibility and that the commission number/expiration appear. Who can sign it: A school official (registrar/department) or the holder (custodian affidavit). Required forms: None statewide; California acknowledgment or jurat.
Frequently asked questions
Why would I apostille syllabi?
Foreign credential evaluators and licensing boards often want course content to assess equivalency, beyond just the transcript.
Can a CA notary certify the copy directly?
No — use a Copy Certification by Document Custodian affidavit (POA is the only copy a CA notary certifies directly).
Does the whole packet get one apostille?
Yes — one notarized packet gets one apostille; keep all pages stapled together.
Is there a government fee?
No SOS fee beyond the apostille.
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).