Quick facts
- Category: Professional License
- 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: California Department of Real Estate (DRE). License verification: DRE eLicensing (free). Sacramento HQ: 1651 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815. Notarized route (steps): 1. Obtain the license document (wall certificate, self-printed license, or a board verification letter). 2. The licensee signs a Copy Certification by Document Custodian affidavit attesting it is a true copy — in front of a California notary, with acceptable ID. 3. The notary completes a current California jurat, attaches it, and affixes the seal. 4. Confirm legibility and that the commission number/expiration appear before submission. Who can sign it: the licensee (document custodian). Required forms: none statewide; California jurat / Copy Certification by Document Custodian wording. Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): California notary $15 (Gov. Code §8211(a)/(b)) per signature; California Secretary of State apostille $20 per document (mail) or $26 (walk-in); 1–5 business days at the California Secretary of State plus shipping each way.
Frequently asked questions
Can a California notary certify the copy directly?
No — use a Copy Certification by Document Custodian affidavit signed by the licensee. A California notary can only directly certify a copy of a Power of Attorney.
Do I apostille the wall certificate or a verification letter?
Either works — a notarized copy of the license document, or a board verification letter with a custodian affidavit. Confirm the receiving country's preference.
Does the license need to be current?
Foreign authorities typically want an active, in-good-standing license. Renew before you apostille if it lapsed.
How long does the California Secretary of State take?
1–5 business days by mail, or same-day at the Sacramento or Los Angeles walk-in counter.
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).