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’s/dean’s office issues the letter on letterhead. A California notary public notarizes the official’s signature; use a mobile notary if needed. CA SOS Notary Public Section: (916) 653-3595. Notarized route (steps): Request the authenticity letter (identifying the attached document it vouches for). 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, dean, or 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 the.
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from a registrar letter (#146)?
A registrar letter is general-purpose; this one specifically attests that an attached document is authentic. Same notarized route.
Do I attach the diploma/transcript?
Yes — the letter vouches for it; keep the letter and document stapled together so the apostille covers the set.
Who signs it?
The registrar, dean, or authorized official, before a California notary.
Is there a government fee?
No SOS fee beyond the apostille.
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).