Quick facts
- Order a RECENTLY certified copy — guardianship terminates (e.g., minor turns 18) and stale Letters may be rejected.
- Some foreign uses require an EXEMPLIFIED copy ($50 + pages, §70628) — confirm before ordering.
- For international travel with the minor, the apostilled Letters prove authority but may need to accompany a notarized travel-consent document (separate apostille path).
- 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 guardianship was granted. Certified route (how to obtain a certified copy): 1. After appointment and issuance of Letters (GC-250 / 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 guardian and their attorney. Required forms. The court's records/copy request form, if any. Order the GC-250/GC-150 Letters, not the Order Appointing Guardian (GC-240) unless separately required. Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): - Certified copy of Letters of Guardianship: $40 (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4)). -.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do I order?
A certified copy of the Letters of Guardianship (GC-250, or GC-150 for temporary) from the probate court.
How much is the certified copy?
$40 (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4)).
Why does the date matter?
Guardianship can terminate (e.g., minor turns 18); foreign authorities want recent certification.
Guardianship vs. conservatorship?
Guardianship is over a minor; conservatorship is over an incapacitated adult.
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).