Monitored daily. We track Secretary of State, USCIS, embassy, and Hague Conference rule changes every day — plus updates to our California document packages and DIY apostille guidance — so your filing meets the latest requirements.

Apostille Global Services is a private apostille service. We are not a government agency.

Rules monitored daily

We track Secretary of State, USCIS, embassy, and Hague Conference updates every day.

All 50 states + DC

Hague apostille and non-Hague embassy authentication, routed to the correct authority.

Verified for 2026

Every page fact-checked against current Secretary of State, USCIS, and Hague Conference rules, re-checked quarterly.

Standards we follow

Compliant with the rules that actually get documents accepted

Hague Apostille Convention (1961)

Apostilles issued for member countries; embassy legalization routed for non-member destinations.

State Secretary of State rules

Each filing follows the issuing state's current fee schedule, form requirements, and accepted document formats.

Vital records sourced from the state

CA birth, marriage, and death certificates come from CDPH — never the county recorder — so they're accepted for apostille on the first submission.

Notary-compliant document prep

Notarizable forms are sent blank, per state law — you fill in the facts and sign in front of a notary, then we handle the apostille.

California apostille
California · Document guideVerified for 2026 Regulations · Last checked June 2026

California Diploma & Transcript Apostille

Diplomas, degrees, and transcripts issued in California are private documents, so the apostille step requires a notarization first. We prepare a notarized copy of your diploma (or arrange a registrar-signed transcript) and submit it to the California Secretary of State for apostille.

Your documents stay yours. We handle your documents and personal information only to complete your apostille — never sold, shared, or used for marketing by third parties.

Issuing authority
California Secretary of State (Sacramento or Los Angeles)
State / federal fee
$20 per document (CA SOS)
Processing
1–5 business days at the SOS once notarized

Quick facts

  • Required for teaching abroad, work visas, and study at foreign universities
  • Diploma copy must be notarized by a California notary
  • Transcripts can be sealed/signed by the school registrar
  • Apostilled by the California Secretary of State
  • Original diploma is not damaged — we apostille a notarized copy

What to know

For diplomas, we never mark or alter your original. We prepare a notarized copy with the proper notary acknowledgment language, then submit it to the California Secretary of State. For official transcripts, the registrar's signed/sealed envelope can be apostilled directly. We confirm what your destination country expects (translation, multiple copies, embassy step) before you spend anything on government fees.

Frequently asked questions

Will my original diploma be damaged?

No. We apostille a notarized copy of your diploma — your original stays intact.

Are transcripts different from diplomas?

Yes. Transcripts can usually be apostilled if the school's registrar signed and sealed them. Diplomas need a separate notarized copy.

Do I need a translation?

Some countries require a certified translation. We offer sworn and certified translation as an add-on when you tell us the destination country.

Live · California apostille

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