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 issues the letter on letterhead. A California notary public notarizes the official’s signature; use a mobile notary if the office has none. CA SOS Notary Public Section: (916) 653-3595. Notarized route (steps): Request the graduation verification letter (student, graduation/completion date, credential awarded). The school official signs in the physical presence of a California notary, with acceptable ID. The notary completes a current California acknowledgment, attaches it, and affixes the seal. Confirm legibility and that the commission number/expiration appear. Who can sign it: The registrar / authorized school official. Required forms: None statewide; California acknowledgment wording. Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): Up to $15 per notarized signature (Gov. Code §8211). Mobile/travel fees unregulated. Usually same-day once issued. What.
Frequently asked questions
When would I use this instead of the diploma?
When the diploma is delayed or lost, or the destination accepts a verification letter — often faster than ordering a replacement diploma.
How is it different from degree verification?
Graduation verification confirms graduation/completion; degree verification confirms the specific degree awarded. The destination decides which it wants.
Who signs it?
The registrar / school official, before a California notary.
Does it need school letterhead?
Yes — on official letterhead, naming the student, graduation date, and credential.
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).