Quick facts
- Category: Business / Corporate
- 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: None — the exporter prepares it; a California notary public notarizes the signature. CA SOS Notary Public Section: (916) 653-3595. Notarized route (steps): Prepare the packing list with complete, accurate package-by-package details consistent with the commercial invoice. The exporter’s authorized signer 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 exporter or the exporter’s authorized officer. Required forms: None statewide — the company’s own packing list plus California notary acknowledgment wording. Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): Up to $15 per signature (Gov. Code §8211). Mobile/travel fees unregulated. Usually same-day. What the SOS.
Frequently asked questions
Why would a packing list need an apostille?
Some importers/customs authorities require the full shipment set (invoice, CO, packing list) authenticated for international use.
Who signs it for notarization?
The exporter or its authorized officer, before a California notary.
Do all three shipment documents get apostilled together?
They are notarized and apostilled separately ($20/$26 each), but typically prepared as a set for the same shipment.
Is there a government fee?
No — it is a private document; the cost is the notary fee plus 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).