Quick facts
- Category: Power of Attorney / Authorization
- 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
Self-prepared — no issuing office. 1. Draft the invitation. Include the host’s and guest’s details, the relationship, the visit’s purpose and dates, accommodation, and (if applicable) who covers costs. Attach proof of status/residence if asked. 2. Sign before a California notary. Personally appear with satisfactory ID; the notary completes an acknowledgment (or jurat if sworn). 3. Confirm the notary’s seal, signature, commission number, and expiration are present and legible. Who can create it. The host inviting the family member. Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): notary $15 (Gov. Code §8211(a)/(b)); usually same-day. Drafting is free. What the SOS needs to see: a California notary’s certificate (acknowledgment or jurat) — current commission, legible seal/signature, commission number and expiration shown. The SOS verifies the notary, then attaches the apostille..
Frequently asked questions
Does an apostilled invitation guarantee the visa?
No — it supports the application; the foreign consulate decides.
Invitation or sponsorship?
An invitation states the relationship/visit; a sponsorship letter (#239) adds a financial commitment. Use both if the consulate wants cost coverage documented.
Acknowledgment or jurat?
Usually an acknowledgment; a jurat if the letter is sworn.
What should it include?
Host/guest details, relationship, purpose, dates, and accommodation.
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).