An apostille is an official certificate that authenticates the signature and official capacity of the person who signed or certified a public document. It allows the document to be accepted in other countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention.
For California public documents, the apostille is issued by the California Secretary of State. It does not confirm that what is written in the document is true. It confirms that the signature, seal, and capacity of the official are genuine.
Requirements differ by document. A certified vital record follows a different path than a privately signed power of attorney, which is why we review your document before anything is submitted.
An apostille is accepted only in countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention. If your destination isn't a member, California issues an authentication certificate instead, and the document usually also needs legalization by that country's embassy or consulate.
Tell us the destination country and we'll confirm which route applies before you spend anything.
Powers of attorney, affidavits, and many business and school documents must be notarized before an apostille. Our sister service, Gale Ranch Notary, provides mobile notary appointments in San Ramon and across the Tri-Valley, and we coordinate the apostille afterward.
We're based in Gale Ranch, San Ramon, and help clients across California, and abroad, by mail or courier for California-issued documents. Local mobile notary appointments are available in San Ramon, Danville, Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, and Walnut Creek through Gale Ranch Notary.
Sending the wrong document or missing one step can cost you weeks. Send us your document type and destination country for a free review.