Quick facts
- Some foreign uses require an EXEMPLIFIED copy ($50 + pages, §70628) — confirm before ordering.
- Never notarize the order — 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 plain photocopy instead of a clerk-certified copy.
- Submitting the petition (EMA-100) instead of the signed declaration (EMA-115).
What to know
Issuing office. The Superior Court clerk (records division) in the county where the emancipation was granted. Certified route (how to obtain a certified copy): 1. After the judge signs the Declaration of Emancipation (EMA-115), request a CERTIFIED copy from the clerk — "for apostille / international use." 2. If a foreign jurisdiction requires it, request an EXEMPLIFIED (triple-certified) copy instead. 3. Pay the fees (see below). Confirm the clerk's seal and signature are legible. Who can request it. The emancipated minor and (typically) their attorney; confirm any access nuances. Required forms. The court's records/copy request form, if any. Order the signed EMA-115 declaration (not the EMA-100 petition). Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): - Certified copy of the EMA-115: $40 (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4)). - Exemplified / triple-certified copy: $50 (§70628) + page fees. -.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do I order?
A certified copy of the Declaration of Emancipation of Minor (EMA-115) from the Superior Court.
How much is the certified copy?
$40 (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4)).
Order or petition?
Order the signed EMA-115 declaration, not the EMA-100 petition.
Can I notarize it instead?
No — a court order is authenticated by the clerk's certification.
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).