Quick facts
- Category: Vital Records
- 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. California Secretary of State, Domestic Partners Registry — Sacramento (mail or in-person drop-off) or the Los Angeles office (in person only; no mail). Mail to: Secretary of State, Domestic Partners Registry, P.O. Box 942870, Sacramento, CA 94277-2870. What to order. A certified copy of the filed Declaration of Domestic Partnership. After registration, request it with the Special Filings Records Order Form (public) or the Confidential Records Order Form (confidential). A certified copy carries the SOS certification stamp (California State Seal + initials) on the back — that is the apostille-ready document. ⚠️ The black-and-white certificate provided at the time of filing is ornamental and "should not be used for substantiation" — it cannot be apostilled. Always order the $5 certified copy instead. Cost & timeline. $5.00 per certified copy (verified June 2026). Filing.
Frequently asked questions
Where is it registered?
The California Secretary of State — not CDPH or a county.
What exactly do I submit?
A $5 SOS-certified copy of the Declaration of Domestic Partnership.
Can I use the certificate I got at registration?
No — it's ornamental and not valid for substantiation; order a certified copy.
Does it need notarization?
No — it's a public record bearing the SOS certification stamp.
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).