Quick facts
- Order a RECENTLY certified copy — stale Letters may be rejected by the foreign institution.
- Make sure the Letters reflect the SCOPE of authority the foreign use needs (person vs. estate; specific powers).
- Some foreign uses require an EXEMPLIFIED copy ($50 + pages, §70628) — confirm before ordering.
- Never notarize the Letters — they're authenticated by the clerk's certification.
- General condition rules: no lamination · no post-notarization alterations · no tape · staple multipage · legible signatures/seals.
What to know
Issuing office. The probate clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the conservatorship was granted. Certified route (how to obtain a certified copy): 1. After appointment and issuance of Letters (GC-350 / GC-150), request a freshly CERTIFIED copy from the probate clerk — "for apostille / international use." 2. If a foreign jurisdiction requires it, request an EXEMPLIFIED (triple-certified) copy instead. 3. Pay the fees (see below). Confirm the clerk's seal and signature are legible and the certification date is recent. Who can request it. The appointed conservator and their attorney. Required forms. The court's records/copy request form, if any. Order the GC-350/GC-150 Letters, not the Order Appointing Conservator (GC-340) unless separately required. Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): - Certified copy of Letters of Conservatorship: $40 (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4))..
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do I order?
A certified copy of the Letters of Conservatorship (GC-350, or GC-150 for temporary) from the probate court.
How much is the certified copy?
$40 (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4)).
Conservatorship vs. guardianship?
Conservatorship is over an incapacitated adult; guardianship is over a minor.
Does the scope matter?
Yes — Letters can be of the person, the estate, or both; the foreign institution will look at the powers granted.
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).