Quick facts
- Apostille the ORDER (proving the sealing), not the sealed material.
- Some foreign uses require an EXEMPLIFIED copy ($50 + pages, §70628) — confirm before ordering.
- Never notarize the order — it's authenticated by the clerk's certification.
- General condition rules: no lamination · no post-notarization alterations · no tape · staple multipage · legible signatures/seals.
- Submitting a plain photocopy instead of a clerk-certified copy.
What to know
Issuing office. The Superior Court clerk (records division) in the county where the sealing order was made. Certified route (how to obtain a certified copy): 1. Identify the exact sealing order (statute/form and date). 2. Confirm your access rights — as the subject of the order you can generally obtain a certified copy of the ORDER (not the sealed material). 3. Request a CERTIFIED copy of the sealing order — "for apostille / international use." 4. If a foreign jurisdiction requires it, request an EXEMPLIFIED (triple-certified) copy. 5. Pay the fees (see below). Confirm the clerk's seal and signature are legible. Who can request it. Generally the person the order concerns (and their attorney). Confirm with the court. Required forms. The court's records/copy request process. Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): - Certified copy of the sealing order: $40 (Gov. Code.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do I order?
A certified copy of the order sealing the record from the Superior Court.
Can I get a certified copy if the record is sealed?
Generally yes for the ORDER itself (as the subject), even though the sealed material is restricted.
How much is the certified copy?
$40 (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4)).
Is this the same as expungement?
No — sealing and PC 1203.4 dismissal (#61) are different remedies.
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).