California Trademark Assignment Apostille

Recording the change of ownership in a foreign trademark office; proving the transfer to foreign authorities, banks, or counterparties; and supporting cross-border IP sales, M&A, or licensing. Common destinations: China, the EU, UAE, India, Mexico, and other Hague members.

Your documents stay yours. We handle your documents and personal information only to complete your apostille — never sold, shared, or used for marketing by third parties.

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 — privately drafted; a California notary public notarizes the signatures. CA SOS Notary Public Section: (916) 653-3595. Notarized route (steps): Finalize the executed assignment (identify the mark, registration/application numbers, assignor, and assignee). The assignor (and assignee, if required) 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 assignor and assignee (or their authorized officers). Required forms: None statewide — the parties’ own assignment 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

Is this the same as recording the assignment with the USPTO?

No. USPTO recordation is a separate federal step; a USPTO document is apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. The assignment agreement itself is notarized and apostilled through the CA SOS.

Do I also need the trademark registration apostilled?

Only if the destination requires it — route it correctly (CA SOS registration = certified copy #82; USPTO = federal).

Who signs?

The assignor (and assignee, if required), before a California notary.

Is there a government fee?

No — it is a private agreement; 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).

Compliant with the rules that actually get documents accepted