Quick facts
- Category: Medical / Health
- 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
For pet travel (most cases): the vaccination record is part of the USDA-APHIS-endorsed health-certificate process (see #259) — a USDA-accredited vet issues, USDA-APHIS endorses (typically via VEHCS). For the apostille route (narrow cases): 1. A California-licensed veterinarian signs/attests the vaccination record. 2. The vet personally appears before a California notary with satisfactory ID; the notary completes an acknowledgment (or jurat if sworn to accuracy). 3. Confirm the notary’s seal/signature/commission data are present and legible, then apostille. Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): notary $15 (Gov. Code §8211(a)/(b)) for the apostille route; USDA-APHIS endorsement fees apply for export. Vet fees vary. What the SOS needs to see (apostille route): a California notary’s certificate on the veterinarian’s signature — current commission, legible seal/signature,.
Frequently asked questions
My pet is flying abroad — apostille the rabies record?
No — it goes with the USDA-APHIS-endorsed health certificate (#259). Use a USDA-accredited vet.
When would I apostille a vaccination record?
Only if a destination specifically asks for an apostilled record, or for a non-travel purpose.
Who gets notarized (apostille route)?
The veterinarian who signs/attests the record.
Acknowledgment or jurat?
Acknowledgment for a signed attestation; jurat if sworn to accuracy.
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).