Quick facts
- Category: Power of Attorney / Authorization
- 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
Self-prepared — no issuing office. 1. Draft the sponsorship letter. Identify the sponsor and the beneficiary, the relationship, what is being sponsored (expenses, accommodation, duration), and the sponsor’s capacity. Attach supporting proof (bank letter, proof-of-funds) if the destination asks — each may carry its own notarization/apostille if separately required. 2. Sign before a California notary. Personally appear with satisfactory ID; the notary completes a jurat (if sworn) or an acknowledgment (if a signed letter). 3. Confirm the notary’s seal, signature, commission number, and expiration are present and legible. Who can create it. The sponsor (individual or authorized company representative). Cost + timeline for THIS step (verified June 2026): notary $15 (Gov. Code §8211(a)/(b)); usually same-day. Drafting is free. (Supporting financial documents are issued/priced separately.).
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as an Affidavit of Support?
Closely related — both commit to supporting someone. Use whichever name/wording the destination requires; the route is the same.
Is it the federal I-864?
No — that’s a U.S.-immigration form and isn’t apostilled.
Jurat or acknowledgment?
A jurat if it’s a sworn declaration of support; an acknowledgment if a signed letter.
Can a company sponsor?
Yes — an authorized representative signs (showing title) and it’s notarized.
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).