Quick facts
- Some countries require an exemplified (triple-certified) copy rather than a standard certified copy — confirm with the receiving authority before ordering ($50 + pages, §70628).
- Order enough certified copies up front if you must present originals to multiple foreign agencies — each apostille is attached to its own certified decree.
- Never notarize the decree — a court order is authenticated by the clerk's certification, not a notary.
- A name change may also require updating the birth certificate (a separate CDPH/county vital record with its own apostille path) — don't substitute one for the other.
- General condition rules: no lamination · no post-notarization alterations · no tape · staple multipage · legible signatures/seals.
What to know
Issuing office. The Superior Court clerk in the county where the name-change petition was filed/granted. Many courts let you request certified copies in person or by mail; some offer online ordering for recent cases. Certified route (how to obtain a certified copy): 1. After the judge signs the NC-130 (often without a hearing if unopposed), the clerk files it. 2. Go to (or contact) the clerk's office where the case was heard and request a certified copy of the Decree Changing Name (NC-130) — say it's "for apostille / international use" so the clerk applies the correct certification format. Order extra certified copies if you'll update several IDs (each is $40). 3. Pay the fees (see below) or present a granted fee waiver (FW-001). 4. Confirm the clerk's seal and signature are present and legible before submitting for apostille. Who can request it. For a standard (public) adult name.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do I order?
A certified copy of the signed Decree Changing Name (NC-130) from the Superior Court that granted it.
How much is the certified copy?
$40 each (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4); stated on courts.ca.gov). A fee waiver (FW-001) covers it. The $15 divorce-judgment rate does not apply.
Should I order more than one?
Yes if you'll present originals to several foreign agencies — each apostille attaches to its own certified copy.
Can I notarize it instead?
No — a court decree must be certified by the court clerk; notarization doesn't replace 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).