California GED Certificate Apostille

Foreign university admission; employment or work visas abroad; professional or military programs overseas; and immigration applications where a U.S. secondary credential must be proven. Common destinations: UAE, Philippines, Mexico, South Korea, and other Hague members.

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.

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: Obtain the GED certificate/transcript from the GED Testing Service / GED.com (or the CDE-designated vendor). A California notary public then notarizes the custodian affidavit or an official’s signature; use a mobile notary if needed. CA SOS Notary Public Section: (916) 653-3595. Notarized route (steps): Obtain the certificate/transcript (request a copy from the GED program if you don’t have it). The holder signs a Copy Certification by Document Custodian affidavit on a clear copy — or an authorized official signs an authenticity statement — in front of a California notary, with acceptable ID. The notary completes a current California jurat (custodian affidavit) or acknowledgment (official), attaches it, and affixes the seal. Confirm legibility and that the commission number/expiration appear. Who can sign it: The GED holder (custodian affidavit) or an authorized issuing.

Frequently asked questions

Who issues the GED in California?

The GED Testing Service (via GED.com), under the California Department of Education’s high school equivalency program — not the Secretary of State.

Can a CA notary certify my GED copy directly?

No — use a Copy Certification by Document Custodian affidavit (POA is the only copy a CA notary certifies directly).

Certificate or transcript?

The certificate is the credential; the transcript shows scores. Apostille whichever the destination wants — or both (separate apostilles).

Is there a government fee?

No SOS fee beyond the apostille; the GED program may charge for the certificate/transcript.

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).

Compliant with the rules that actually get documents accepted