What is an apostille?

An apostille is an official certificate that confirms a public document, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate, is genuine so it can be used in another country. Some countries use the words certification, authentication or embassy legalization instead. We can help with all of these.

How do I make a US document valid in another country?

Most often you need an apostille or an embassy legalization, depending on the country. Tell us which country will receive the document and we will point you to the right process.

Can I get an apostille in one day?

Call us at 209-252-4488 and tell us about your document.

Apostille Services in Modesto, Turlock and Stanislaus County

Need a document ready for use in another country? Cali State Notary & Apostille Services helps families, businesses and attorneys in Modesto, Turlock and across Stanislaus County get documents notarized, taken to the California Secretary of State in Sacramento, and returned to you.

Many countries ask for your document to be certified by the Secretary of State of the state where it was issued or notarized. Depending on the country, this may be called an apostille, certification or authentication. It confirms that the signature, seal or notary on your document is genuine, which gives foreign governments an extra layer of protection against fraud. The steps differ a little by document type and by the country that will receive it, so if you are unsure what you need, call and ask.

Call or text 209-252-4488 or book online

How it works

Book an appointment. Tell us which document you have, how many signatures it needs and which country will receive it.
We notarize your document. We come to you anywhere in Stanislaus County.
We prepare and file the paperwork. We take it to the California Secretary of State in Sacramento on our regular weekly run (State holidays excepted), or send it by mail or courier if you prefer.
Your apostille comes back to you. By hand delivery or the shipping option you chose.

Please note: documents recorded in another state, such as birth and death certificates or a deed of trust, must be apostilled by the state that recorded them. California can only apostille a document if the notary who performed the notarization is in California.

Common documents that need an apostille

Birth certificates: often needed for citizenship, residency, or marriage abroad.
Marriage certificates: often needed for name changes, visas, or legal matters abroad.
Divorce decrees: often needed to show marital status overseas.
Diplomas and transcripts: often needed to study or work abroad.
Power of attorney documents: needed when someone abroad acts on your behalf.
Background checks: often needed for work, adoption, or residency applications abroad.

Not sure whether your document is on the list? Call us before you book. Your document may first need a certified copy from the issuing office, and the receiving country sets the final requirements. A birth or marriage certificate issued in California, for example, comes from the county or state, not from a notary.

What it Costs

Fees are charged per appointment.

Notarization: $15 per notarized signature
California Secretary of State fee: $26
Travel fee, added to all notarizations: $50
Processing fee, applies to every return option. Covers travel, waiting, courier, and shipping service costs: $225.
Certified translation, if the receiving country requires it: starting at $50, plus 1 to 5 days

How the Paperwork Gets to Sacramento and Back

Hand delivery to the Secretary of State on our regular weekly run (except state holidays); hand-delivered back to you: +$25. Estimated return: 7 to 10 days.
UPS or FedEx standard, with tracking, both ways: +$100. Estimated return: 20 to 25 days.
UPS or FedEx priority overnight, with tracking, both ways: +$240.
US Mail with tracking, both ways: +$50. Estimated return: 25 to 45 days.

All times are estimates. The California Secretary of State sets its own processing time, and Cali State Notary & Apostille Services has no control over shipping or state processing. These estimates are not a guarantee.

Weekly trips to Sacramento

We take documents to the Secretary of State in Sacramento on a regular weekly run, except on State holidays. Cutoff for each weekly run: your document must be notarized and in our hands by Monday at 6 PM. Anything after that goes on the following weekly run.

Need something carried to Sacramento without an apostille?

See our Courier Services.

Before your Appointment

The person signing must understand the document, sign it willingly, and have a valid US driver's license or passport. If not, two credible witnesses with valid US ID can vouch for them and sign an affidavit.
Know how many signatures each document needs.
Decide whether the receiving country needs a certified translation.
Decide how you want your documents returned, and give us the correct return address.

Frequently asked questions

Apostilles

General