How do I get an apostille in California?

To obtain an apostille in California, ensure your document is properly notarized or certified, then submit it to the California Secretary of State in Sacramento or Los Angeles. We can facilitate this process for you.

Where can I obtain vital records in California for an apostille?

Each county in California has its own Vital Records office or County Clerk that issues certified copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates. This page includes links and contact details for each county.

How long does the apostille process take in California?

Processing times vary by mail volume. Standard Secretary of State service can take 2–3 weeks, while expedited courier options may complete in 1–3 business days.

Do you offer statewide apostille facilitation?

Yes. While based in Burlingame, I provide apostille facilitation for all 58 counties in California, assisting both local and out-of-state clients.

Can you assist with embassy or consulate legalization?

Yes. For non-Hague countries, I can coordinate authentication through the California Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State, and the appropriate embassy or consulate.

Power of attorney Apostille Services In California

Power of Attorney Apostille in California

A Power of Attorney (POA) may require a California apostille before it can be used overseas. An apostille certifies the authenticity of the notarial signature for documents originating in U.S. states that issue them. I assist clients by reviewing their Power of Attorney for California apostille eligibility and submitting it to the California Secretary of State. Clients are responsible for confirming the requirements of the receiving country or agency.

When a Power of Attorney May Require an Apostille

A Power of Attorney may require a California apostille for:

Real estate transactions abroad
Business representation or contract signing
Financial or banking matters
Family or personal matters
Educational or academic representation
Legal or administrative procedures

Individuals should verify the requirements with the foreign receiving authority, attorney, or agency before proceeding.

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Power Of Attorney Document Requirements

To qualify for an apostille, the Power of Attorney must be:

Properly notarized in California
Signed by the principal at the time of notarization
Free of blank signature fields or alterations
Accompanied by proper identification at the time of notarization

If your POA has not yet been notarized, I can provide mobile notarization in San Mateo County and Santa Clara County.

Important Note for Spanish Translations

If your Power of Attorney was translated from Spanish to English and includes a reference to the notary, the translator must not use the term “Notario Público” when referring to a California Notary Public. In many Spanish-speaking jurisdictions, a “Notario Público” has attorney-level authority, which does not apply in the United States.
Using this term in translation can cause the document to be rejected by the California Secretary of State.
If needed, I can help guide you on proper translation handling before submission.

Note: Clients are responsible for confirming whether the foreign receiving authority requires a General or Special POA, witness signatures, translations, or other conditions.

General vs. Special Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney may be designated as:

General POA — broad, ongoing authority
Special (Limited) POA — limited to specific matters (e.g., property sale)

I can review a Power of Attorney to determine whether it meets California apostille submission requirements. The client or receiving authority determines whether the document will be accepted abroad.

Apostille vs. Authentication vs. Legalization

To avoid confusion:

Apostille is used when the destination country participates in the Hague Apostille Convention.
Authentication + Legalization is used when the destination country does not participate.

I confirm the correct pathway before submission to avoid delays or rejections.

How the Power of Attorney Apostille Process Works

The client determines the requirements of the receiving country or agency.

This ensures the client confirms what the foreign authority needs for their specific situation.
I review the Power of Attorney to ensure it meets California apostille submission requirements, including proper notarization and document formatting.

The document is submitted to the California Secretary of State for apostille processing.
If the destination country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, the client may need to arrange additional steps such as:

U.S. Department of State authentication
Embassy or consulate legalization

Completed documents are returned to the client with tracking or by personal delivery.

Translation Considerations

If the POA is being translated for use in another country:

Clients should verify translation requirements with the receiving authority.

If the POA originated in Spanish and references a notary, the term “Notario Público” should not be used to describe a California Notary Public, as it conveys different legal authority in some jurisdictions and may result in document rejection.

A certified translation may be needed depending on the country’s language.

Processing Times

Typical timelines are:

California apostille processing: typically ranges from 1 to 10 business days, depending on the level of service selected and current processing conditions. Timelines are estimates and may vary due to state agency workload or mailing conditions.
Federal authentication: varies, if required
Embassy/consulate legalization: varies by country

If you have a deadline, please check with the receiving party to confirm what is required before beginning the process.

My Apostille Facilitation Service

Service Area

I assist clients throughout San Mateo County and Santa Clara County, including major cities such as San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, and Palo Alto - for document notarization, apostille facilitation, and international legalization.

I also support clients statewide for California-origin documents, and offer nationwide support for federal authentication, apostille, and consular legalization.

Ready to Begin?

If you need a Power of Attorney apostilled, I can assist with the California apostille submission process and return completed documents with tracking.

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