Apostille Services in Atherton, Ca 94027
If you need an apostille in Atherton, CA, I provide local mobile notary and apostille facilitation services for documents being used internationally. I notarize your documents in Atherton and handle courier delivery to the California Secretary of State in Sacramento for apostille processing—saving you time and eliminating the need to travel. Same-day and expedited apostille service is available for urgent requests.
Mobile Notary & California Apostille Facilitation
Apostille Services in Atherton, California
Apostille services in Atherton, CA are available through a local mobile notary who facilitates document authentication for international use. The apostille process involves notarizing eligible documents locally and submitting them to the California Secretary of State for official apostille certification. I manage the full process for Atherton residents, including document review, notarization, courier submission, and return delivery.
This service is commonly used for documents being sent to Hague Convention countries for legal, academic, business, and personal matters.
How the Apostille Process Works in Atherton, CA
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Document Review – I confirm your document is eligible for apostille and whether notarization is required.
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Mobile Notarization in Atherton – I come to your home, office, hospital, or care facility to notarize your documents.
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California Secretary of State Submission – Your documents are couriered to the CA Secretary of State in Sacramento for apostille processing.
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Return Delivery – Once completed, your apostilled documents are returned to you securely by personal delivery, courier or FedEx.
Same-day and expedited apostille options are available depending on document type and submission timing.
More Information For Apostille & Mobile Notary Services
Atherton clients frequently request apostille services for:
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Birth certificates and marriage certificates
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Powers of attorney for overseas property or legal matters
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School transcripts and diplomas for international universities
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Corporate documents for international business
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FBI background checks and notarized affidavits
If your document will be used outside the United States, I can help confirm whether an apostille or authentication is required.
Mobile Apostille & Notary Services Near Atherton
I provide mobile apostille and notary services throughout Atherton and nearby areas including Menlo Park, Redwood City, Palo Alto, and surrounding San Mateo County communities. Appointments are available at private residences, offices, hospitals, and care facilities for your convenience.
Schedule Apostille Services in Atherton, CA - How It Works
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Request assistance. Send a request through my site quote form (below) or give me a call.
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Provide your document/s. I can pick them up in person, you can mail them, or we can meet at a convenient location.
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Notarization (if required). I verify your identification and witness your signature.
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Submission. I deliver them to the appropriate office — either the California Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State.
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Return. Once the apostille or authentication is complete, I return your completed files to you by pickup, personal delivery, shipping (FedEx/UPS/DHL), or mail.
Apostille Services - Option Levels
Choose the level of bundled apostille facilitation that fits your timeline — standard, expedited, or rushed priority service.
Standard Delivery
2 Weeks -
Includes local file pickup (within 20 miles), mobile notarization, submission to the California Secretary of State for certification, and return delivery via FedEx. Ideal for non-urgent requests with flexible timelines.
Expedited Delivery
5 Business Days
A faster option for clients who need paperwork processed promptly. Includes mobile notarization, submission to the California Secretary of State, and return via personal delivery to the original pickup location or shipping to your requested U.S. destination. **International shipping is available and billed separately.
Rush Delivery
1 Business Day
Fast-track facilitation with urgent delivery and same- or next-day return. Includes mobile notarization, priority personal submission to the California Secretary of State, and personal return delivery to the original pickup location or shipping to a requested U.S. destination. **International shipping is available and billed separately.
Frequently Asked Questions - California Apostille
Documents That Commonly Need An Apostille in California
I provide FAST and secure apostille services - and personal delivery to the California Secretary of State’s office for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Whether your documents are personal, business, or legal, I will ensure a quick and hassle-free process to meet international requirements.
A birth certificate is one of the most commonly apostilled documents, often required for international use related to dual citizenship, marriage, education, or inheritance matters.
In California, for a birth certificate to be eligible for an apostille, it must be a certified copy issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) – Vital Records or by the County Clerk’s Office in the county where the birth occurred. The document must be signed by an authorized public official, such as the State or County Registrar.
Before the California Secretary of State can issue an apostille, they must verify the official’s signature on the certificate. Photocopies or hospital-issued birth certificates are not eligible for apostille processing.
A marriage certificate may require an apostille for international use, especially in matters related to name changes, immigration, spousal visas, dual citizenship, or legal recognition of marriage abroad.
In California, only a certified copy of the marriage certificate issued by the County Clerk or Recorder’s Office where the marriage was recorded is eligible for apostille. The document must bear the original signature and seal of a public official whose signature is on file with the California Secretary of State.
The California Secretary of State will verify the signature before issuing an apostille. Please note that photocopies, unofficial copies, or religious ceremony records are not acceptable for apostille processing.
A death certificate may require an apostille for use abroad in matters such as estate settlement, inheritance claims, life insurance, or transferring assets across international jurisdictions.
In California, only certified copies of death certificates issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) – Vital Records or the County Clerk’s or Recorder’s Office where the death was registered are eligible for apostille. The document must contain the original signature of a recognized public official, such as the County Registrar or State Registrar, whose signature is on record with the California Secretary of State.
The California Secretary of State will verify the official’s signature before issuing an apostille. Please note that photocopies or hospital-issued death records are not acceptable for apostille processing.
Divorce Decree
A Divorce Decree is a final court judgment that legally ends a marriage and outlines the terms of the divorce, including property division, child custody, and support arrangements. When this document needs to be used in another country—for purposes such as remarriage, immigration, or legal recognition—it must be apostilled to confirm its authenticity.
In California, the original or a certified copy issued by the court is required to begin the apostille process.
Single Status Affidavit
A Single Status Affidavit is a sworn statement confirming that an individual is legally single and free to marry. This document is commonly required by foreign governments when a U.S. citizen is planning to marry abroad or apply for certain residency or visa statuses.
To be apostilled, the affidavit must be:
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Signed in front of a notary public
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Often accompanied by a certified statement from the County Clerk or Secretary of State (depending on the jurisdiction)
Background Checks (State, FBI)
A Background Check is an official report detailing an individual’s criminal history (or lack thereof). These are often required for employment, immigration, adoption, or residency applications abroad.
There are two common types of background checks used for apostille purposes:
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Local Police Background Check – Issued by a city or county law enforcement agency
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FBI Background Check – Issued at the federal level by the U.S. Department of Justice
Only FBI background checks are eligible for federal apostille certification, while local checks must be notarized and certified by the appropriate state authority before being apostilled.
Copy Of U.S. Passport
A copy of a U.S. Passport may require an apostille when it's being used for international legal, immigration, or identity verification purposes, such as marriage abroad, dual citizenship applications, or foreign residency.
Because the passport is a federal document, a copy must be notarized as a true copy by a commissioned notary public. The notarized copy can then be submitted for apostille certification through the U.S. Department of State (federal level), or in some cases, through the state if specifically allowed.
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows one person to grant another person the authority to act on their behalf in financial, legal, or medical matters. When this authority needs to be recognized in another country—such as for real estate transactions, managing bank accounts, or caring for a loved one abroad—an apostille is often required.
To qualify for an apostille, the Power of Attorney must be:
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Notarized properly in the state where it was signed
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Sometimes followed by county or state-level certification, depending on where it was notarized
Travel Consent Letter
A Travel Consent Letter is a document signed by a parent or legal guardian giving permission for a minor child to travel—especially when the child is traveling alone or with only one parent, a relative, or another adult. This document is often required for international travel to prevent custody disputes or child abduction concerns.
To be accepted abroad, a travel consent letter may need to be:
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Notarized to verify the identity and intent of the signing parent(s)
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Apostilled if the destination country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention
An Authorization Letter
An Authorization Letter is a written document that gives another person permission to act on your behalf for specific tasks—such as collecting documents, managing legal matters, handling financial transactions, or representing you abroad.
When an authorization letter needs to be used internationally, it often requires an apostille to verify its authenticity and the identity of the signer.
To be eligible for apostille, the letter must be:
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Properly signed and notarized
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Sometimes accompanied by a certified translation, depending on the destination country’s requirements
I can assist you with the notarization and can also assist you with having your authorization letter translated. I have partnered with Idiomatic Translations, they have translators in over 150 languages.
Police Report
A Police Report is an official document issued by a local law enforcement agency that details an incident, investigation, or interaction involving an individual. These reports may need to be apostilled for use abroad in matters involving immigration, insurance claims, legal disputes, or background checks.
To obtain an apostille for a police report:
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The report must be issued on official letterhead by the law enforcement agency
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It must be notarized or accompanied by a sworn affidavit from the issuing agency
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Once notarized, it can be submitted to the Secretary of State for apostille certification
Name Change
A Name Change Document is a certified court order or legal record confirming that an individual has legally changed their name. This document is often required internationally for immigration, marriage, dual citizenship, inheritance, or to update identity documents abroad.
To be eligible for an apostille, the name change document must be:
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A certified copy issued by the court or relevant government agency
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Submitted to the Secretary of State in the state where it was issued for apostille certification
Naturalization Certificate
A Naturalization Certificate is a federal document issued by the U.S. government to individuals who have become naturalized U.S. citizens. It serves as proof of citizenship and may need to be apostilled when used internationally for purposes such as dual citizenship, inheritance claims, or legal residency applications.
Because this is a federal document, it cannot be apostilled at the state level. Instead:
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You must obtain a Certified True Copy of the Naturalization Certificate from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
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Once certified, it must be submitted to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. for federal apostille processing.
Non-Impediment
A Non-Impediment Certificate (also known as a Certificate of No Record of Marriage or Single Status Certificate) is a document that verifies an individual is not currently married and is legally free to marry. This certificate is often required by foreign governments for international marriage applications or residency purposes.
In the United States, this document may be:
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Issued by the local county clerk’s office, or
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Created as a sworn affidavit, notarized by a notary public
To be apostilled:
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The document must be properly notarized
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Then submitted to the Secretary of State in the state where it was notarized
Corporate Documents are legal records related to the formation, structure, and operation of a business entity. When a company needs to expand internationally, open foreign bank accounts, enter into overseas contracts, or establish a foreign branch, these documents often require apostille certification.
Common corporate documents that may need an apostille include:
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Articles of Incorporation or Organization
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Certificates of Good Standing
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Operating Agreements or Bylaws
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Board Resolutions
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Business Licenses or Tax Certificates
To be apostilled:
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The documents must be certified by the Secretary of State where the company is registered, or
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If notarized, must be properly notarized and submitted to the Secretary of State for apostille
Academic Documents
Academic Documents such as diplomas, transcripts, and degrees often require an apostille when being submitted to a foreign country for employment, continued education, visa applications, or credential evaluations.
Documents commonly apostilled include:
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High School or College Diplomas
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Official Transcripts
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Certificates of Enrollment or Graduation
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Professional Certifications or Licenses
To be apostilled:
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The documents must be certified by the registrar's office or notarized as a true copy
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Some institutions may issue a notarized letter directly—others may require coordination with the County Clerk or Secretary of State
My Notary & Apostille Affiliations and Training
I am a California Notary Public Bound to the Notarial Laws Of California
Loan Signing Systems certified Notary Loan Signing Agent
Certified California Apostille Facilitator
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