Tifini Goebel, Notary Public & Apostille Services
Call or Text (650) 675-7760
Apostille Services in Redwood City, California
Need an apostille in Redwood City, CA? I provide mobile notary and California apostille services for documents being used internationally. I can notarize eligible documents at your home, office, or other convenient location in Redwood City, then coordinate submission to the California Secretary of State in Sacramento for apostille processing. Once completed, your documents are securely returned with tracking. Certified record retrieval, certified translation, embassy legalization, and international shipping are also available when needed.
Apostille Services in Redwood City, Ca
Apostille services in Redwood City are commonly needed for international legal, academic, business, and personal matters. I help simplify the process by confirming document requirements, completing mobile notarization when needed, and coordinating submission for apostille certification through the California Secretary of State.
How the Apostille Process Works in Redwood City
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Document review and eligibility check
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Mobile notarization in Redwood City (if required)
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Submission to the California Secretary of State in Sacramento
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Secure return delivery with tracking
Apostille and Notary Services In Redwood City, CA
More Information For Apostille & Mobile Notary Services
Common Apostille Requests in Redwood City
Redwood City clients frequently request apostille services for:
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Birth certificates and marriage certificates (certified copies)
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Powers of attorney for overseas 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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Notarized affidavits and consent letters
Do I Need Notarization Before an Apostille?
Some documents require notarization before apostille, while certified vital records typically must be certified copies and are not notarized. I’ll confirm the correct preparation for your specific document before submission.
Non-Hague Countries and Embassy Legalization
If your document is going to a country that is not part of the Hague Convention, it may require authentication and embassy or consulate legalization instead of an apostille. I can guide you based on the destination country’s requirements.
Apostille FAQ – Redwood City, California
What is an apostille and how does it work in California?
An apostille is a certificate issued by the California Secretary of State that authenticates the signature of a public official on a document, making it legally recognized in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. In California, the process works like this: your document must first be in the correct form, either a certified government record or a properly notarized document, and then it is submitted to the California Secretary of State, who attaches the apostille. The Secretary of State does not verify the content of your document; it only certifies the authenticity of the signature. Once the apostille is attached, the document is ready for use in any of the roughly 125 Hague Convention member countries.
How do I get an apostille in Redwood City? What are the steps?
The process has three main stages. First, confirm your document is eligible: it must be an original certified record from a California county or a document signed before a commissioned California notary public. Second, submit the document to the California Secretary of State, either by mailing it to the Sacramento office or presenting it in person in Sacramento or Los Angeles. Third, the Secretary of State attaches the apostille certificate and returns your document. If you work with Tifini, she handles stages two and three for you: reviewing your document for eligibility before submission, traveling to the Sacramento Secretary of State office, and shipping the completed apostille back to you domestically or internationally.
How long does it take to get a California apostille?
Turnaround depends on how the document is submitted and which service you choose. Tifini's Standard Apostille Service takes 5 to 7 business days after she receives your eligible document, while her Expedited Apostille Service is completed in 1 to 2 business days. Vital Records Apostille (for birth, marriage, death, and divorce certificates) takes 8 to 10 business days. These timelines begin once she has your document in hand and do not include inbound or return shipping time. If you mail documents directly to the California Secretary of State yourself, state processing times vary and can run longer during high-volume periods.
What documents can be apostilled in California?
The California Secretary of State can apostille documents that carry an eligible California public official's signature. Common examples include birth, marriage, death, and divorce certificates issued by a California county; court-certified orders and judgments; notarized documents signed before a California notary; corporate documents such as certificates of good standing; and power of attorney documents. The Secretary of State cannot apostille documents issued by another state or a federal agency. Those require a separate process through the appropriate state's authority or the U.S. Department of State. If you are unsure whether your document qualifies, call or text Tifini at (650) 675-7760.
How much does a California apostille cost?
The total cost has two parts: the California Secretary of State's fee of $20 per apostille (or $26 for in-person walk-in submissions, which include a $6 special handling fee), plus Tifini's service fee. Her service fees are: Vital Records Apostille: $135 for the first document, $75 for each additional; Standard Apostille Service: $185 for the first document, $75 for each additional; Expedited Apostille Service: $245 for the first document, $75 for each additional. The state's $20 fee is billed separately on top of the service fee. Return shipping is billed at cost via FedEx or DHL. and shipping upgrades are additional.
Where do I submit documents for a California apostille?
The California Secretary of State processes apostilles at two offices: Sacramento at 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, and Los Angeles at 300 South Spring Street. Both offices accept walk-in requests Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on a first-come, first-served basis. Mail-in submissions are accepted only through the Sacramento office. There is no Secretary of State apostille counter in the Bay Area or San Francisco, which is one reason Bay Area and Peninsula clients work with Tifini, who handles the Sacramento drop-off on their behalf.
Can I get a California apostille without going to Sacramento?
Yes. You do not need to travel to Sacramento yourself. You can mail your documents to the Secretary of State's Sacramento office, or you can work with Tifini, who submits documents in person on your behalf. Clients ship their documents to her Burlingame office, and she handles the Sacramento submission, retrieval, and return shipping. For Bay Area and Peninsula clients who need a reliable turnaround, this is almost always the more practical choice.
Can you help if I need the certified record first?
Yes. If you need a certified California birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, divorce decree, or court record before obtaining an apostille, I provide California Certified Record Retrieval Services for eligible requesters.
California Apostille Pricing and Timing Options
5-7 Business Days
Standard
Includes delivery to Sacramento, processing, and return by courier or personal delivery.
$185.00 First Document
+ $75 for each additional in the same order
1-2 Business Days
Expedited
Expedited California apostille processing for eligible, time-sensitive documents.
$245.00 First Document
+ $75 for each additional in the same order
7-10 Business Days
Vital Records
California apostille processing for eligible certified birth, marriage, and death certificates.
$135.00
+ $75 for each additional in the same order
Government fees, notarization, document retrieval, local pickup or delivery, and return shipping are additional when applicable.
Documents That Commonly Need An Apostille in California
I provide fast, secure apostille services and personal delivery to the California Secretary of State's office for documents intended for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Whether your documents are personal, business, academic, or legal, I help streamline the apostille process with accurate document review, prompt submission, and reliable service to help you meet international requirements efficiently.
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that authorizes one person to act on behalf of another in financial, legal, business, or personal matters. When a Power of Attorney will be used in another country—such as for real estate transactions, banking matters, inheritance issues, or family affairs—an apostille may be required.
To qualify for apostille certification, the Power of Attorney must be properly notarized in the state where it is signed.
Once notarized, the document is submitted to the appropriate Secretary of State or other designated authority in the state where the notarization occurred for apostille certification.
The apostille verifies the authenticity of the notary public's signature and seal so the document can be recognized in participating foreign countries.
A Birth Certificate is one of the most commonly apostilled documents and is often required for international use in matters such as dual citizenship applications, marriage abroad, immigration, education, inheritance, or residency requirements.
In California, only a certified copy of a birth certificate issued by the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records or by the County Clerk or Recorder's Office in the county where the birth was registered is eligible for apostille certification.
The certified birth certificate must contain the official certification, seal, and signature of an authorized public official whose signature can be authenticated by the California Secretary of State.
The California Secretary of State verifies the authenticity of the issuing official's signature before issuing an apostille. Photocopies, hospital-issued birth records, commemorative birth certificates, and unofficial copies are not eligible for apostille certification.
A Marriage Certificate may require an apostille for international use in matters such as immigration, spousal visas, dual citizenship applications, name changes, inheritance matters, or legal recognition of a marriage in another country.
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 certification.
The certified marriage certificate must contain the official certification, seal, and signature of an authorized public official whose signature can be authenticated by the California Secretary of State.
The California Secretary of State verifies the authenticity of the issuing official's signature before issuing an apostille. Photocopies, unofficial copies, souvenir certificates, and religious ceremony records are not eligible for apostille certification.
A Death Certificate may require an apostille for use abroad in matters such as estate administration, inheritance claims, life insurance benefits, pension matters, or the transfer of assets in a foreign country.
In California, only certified copies of death certificates issued by the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records or by the County Clerk or Recorder's Office where the death was registered are eligible for apostille certification.
The certified death certificate must contain the official certification, seal, and signature of an authorized public official whose signature can be authenticated by the California Secretary of State.
The California Secretary of State verifies the authenticity of the issuing official's signature before issuing an apostille. Photocopies, hospital-issued records, funeral home records, and unofficial copies are not eligible for apostille certification.
A Divorce Decree is a final court judgment that legally ends a marriage and may include orders relating to property division, child custody, child support, or spousal support. When a divorce decree must be presented in another country—for remarriage, immigration, dual citizenship, or other legal purposes—it may require apostille certification.
In California, the document submitted for apostille is typically a certified copy issued by the court that granted the divorce. The certified copy must contain the court clerk's certification, signature, and official seal.
Once obtained from the court, the certified divorce decree may be submitted to the California Secretary of State for apostille certification.
A Single Status Affidavit is a sworn statement in which an individual declares that they are legally single and free to marry. This document is commonly required by foreign governments when a U.S. citizen plans to marry abroad or apply for certain visa, residency, or immigration benefits.
To qualify for apostille certification, the affidavit must be signed in the presence of a Notary Public and properly notarized.
Once notarized, the affidavit may be submitted to the appropriate Secretary of State for apostille certification in the state where the notarization occurred.
Some foreign authorities may also request additional supporting documents, such as a Certificate of No Record of Marriage or other civil records, depending on the requirements of the receiving country.
A Background Check is an official report detailing an individual's criminal history (or lack thereof). These reports are commonly required for employment, immigration, adoption, teaching, licensing, 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, county, or state law enforcement agency
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FBI Background Check – Issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
FBI background checks are submitted for federal apostille certification through the U.S. Department of State.
Local police or state-issued background checks are generally processed through the state where they were issued. Depending on the issuing agency and state requirements, the document may qualify for apostille certification based on the signature of the issuing official or may require additional certification before apostille processing.
Copy Of U.S. Passport
A copy of a U.S. Passport may require an apostille when it will be used internationally for identity verification, dual citizenship applications, residency matters, marriage abroad, or other foreign legal purposes.
In California, a Notary Public cannot certify a copy of a U.S. passport as a true copy. Instead, the passport holder may complete a sworn affidavit stating that the attached photocopy is a true and correct copy of their passport. The affidavit is then notarized by a California Notary Public.
Once notarized, the affidavit and attached passport copy may be submitted to the California Secretary of State for apostille certification.
The apostille authenticates the notary public's signature and seal, allowing the document package to be recognized in participating foreign countries.
Academic Documents
Academic Documents such as diplomas, transcripts, degrees, and enrollment records often require apostille certification when being submitted to a foreign country for employment, higher education, professional licensing, visa applications, or credential evaluations.
Documents commonly apostilled include:
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High School Diplomas
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College and University Diplomas
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Official Transcripts
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Certificates of Enrollment or Graduation
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Professional Certifications and Licenses
The apostille process depends on how the academic document was issued. Some educational institutions provide documents signed by a registrar or other authorized official whose signature can be authenticated. In other cases, the document holder may need to execute a notarized affidavit regarding the academic document before it can be submitted for apostille certification.
The receiving country, university, employer, licensing authority, or government agency may specify the exact document format required for international use.
Document Authentication For Non-Hague Countries
Steps for Document Authentication for Non-Hague Countries
If your destination country is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, your documents will generally require authentication and embassy or consular legalization rather than an apostille.
1. Document Preparation and Notarization (If Required)
Certain documents, such as Powers of Attorney, affidavits, authorization letters, and business documents, may need to be notarized before they can be authenticated.
Vital records, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates, generally do not require notarization but must be certified copies issued by the appropriate government agency.
2. State Authentication (For State-Issued Documents)
Documents issued by a state agency or notarized within a state are typically authenticated by the Secretary of State in the state where the document originated.
Examples include:
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Birth Certificates
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Marriage Certificates
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Death Certificates
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School Records
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Corporate Documents
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Notarized Affidavits and Powers of Attorney
The Secretary of State verifies the signature and authority of the public official or notary whose signature appears on the document.
3. Federal Authentication (When Required)
Certain documents require authentication by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C.
Examples include:
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FBI Identity History Summary Checks
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Federal Court Documents
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Federally Issued Records
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Certain State-Authenticated Documents When Required by the Destination Country
The U.S. Department of State verifies the authenticity of the signatures and seals appearing on the document before it can proceed to embassy legalization.
4. Embassy or Consulate Legalization
After all required authentication steps have been completed, the document is submitted to the embassy or consulate of the destination country for legalization.
Embassy or consular legalization is the final certification step that allows the foreign government to recognize the document for official use within its jurisdiction.
Additional requirements may include:
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Certified Translations
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Embassy Application Forms
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Passport Copies
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Proof of Travel, Residency, Employment, or Immigration Status
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Additional Supporting Documentation Requested by the Embassy
Important Note
Authentication and legalization requirements vary by country, document type, and intended use. Some countries require state authentication, federal authentication, and embassy legalization, while others may require a different sequence of certifications.
Because embassy requirements and processing procedures can change without notice, documents should be reviewed carefully before submission to help avoid delays or rejection.
Related Guides
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Apostille processing for eligible California-issued and California-notarized documents.
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Mobile Notary Services
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Certified Document Translation Services
Certified translations in 130+ languages for documents used internationally.
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FBI Background Check Apostille & Authentication
Federal authentication services for FBI background checks used outside the United States.
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Ready to get your California apostille handled for you? Tifini reviews your documents, submits directly to the California Secretary of State in Sacramento, and ships your completed apostille back to you, domestically or internationally. Call or text (650) 675-7760, or reach out via WhatsApp at +1 (650) 554-0089 for international inquiries. You can also submit a quote request online.
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Tifini Goebel is a commissioned California Notary Public and Certified Apostille Support Specialist, not an attorney. Detailed Notary does not provide legal advice and does not guarantee that apostilled documents will satisfy any specific foreign government, court, or agency requirement. Please consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
California Commissioned Notary Public | Certified Apostille Support Services | Bonded & Insured