Tifini Goebel, Notary Public & Apostille Services
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California Divorce Decree Apostille
A California divorce decree (judgment of dissolution) can be apostilled for use abroad once you have a certified copy from the Superior Court that issued it.
I review the certified copy, submit it to the California Secretary of State and ship it back anywhere in the world. If you don't have a certified copy yet, I can help retrieve one. Standard service is $185.
Divorce Decree Apostille Pricing and Turnaround
How to Get a Certified Copy of a California Divorce Decree
Request it from the clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was finalized. Ask for a certified copy; a plain copy or a printout from an online portal cannot be apostilled. Court bundles are stapled and certified as a set; don't remove the staple.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate
California courts issue divorce judgments, not divorce certificates. The judgment is usually on Judicial Council form FL-180 (Judgment), listed in the bottom corner of the first page; older judgments may use a different form.
When a foreign office asks for a "divorce certificate," it usually means a certified copy of this court judgment. The Notice of Entry of Judgment (FL-190) is a separate form and is not the judgment itself. Confirm with the receiving office if you're unsure.
How It Works
1. Send a photo of the decree, the county and the destination country.
2. I confirm it qualifies, or help you obtain the certified copy from the court.
3. You mail or drop off the certified copy and pay the invoice.
4. I submit it to the California Secretary of State.
5. Your apostilled decree is returned by tracked shipping.
Divorce Decree Apostille FAQs
Can a California divorce decree be apostilled?
Yes, if it is a certified copy issued by a California Superior Court.
How much does a divorce decree apostille cost?
$185 standard or $245 expedited for the first document, $75 for each additional one, plus the $20 state fee and shipping.
How long does it take?
5–7 business days standard or 1–2 days expedited, after the certified copy is in hand. Court retrieval time is extra.
What if the destination country is not in the Hague Convention?
The decree goes through three steps instead: a certificate of authentication from the California Secretary of State, authentication by the U.S. Department of State, and legalization by the destination country's embassy or consulate. I'll confirm which process applies before you pay.
How long does a California divorce decree apostille take?
Standard Divorce Decree Apostille Service is 5–7 business days. Expedited service is 1–2 business days, based on document eligibility and my current availability. If the certified court record must first be retrieved, the court's processing or retrieval time is additional.
Is a divorce decree the same as a divorce certificate?
Not necessarily. The terms divorce decree, divorce judgment, and divorce certificate may refer to different records. The receiving authority should tell you exactly which document or certified pages it requires before you order the court record or begin apostille processing.
What if my divorce decree was issued outside California?
California cannot issue an apostille for a divorce decree issued by a court in another state. The record must be submitted to the appropriate apostille authority for the state where the court record originated.
Can I remove the staple or separate the apostille from my divorce decree?
No. Once the apostille has been attached to the certified court record, keep the apostille and document together. Do not remove staples or separate the attached pages.
Can you help if I live outside California or outside the United States?
Yes. You do not need to live in California to use my California divorce decree apostille service. Eligible certified court records can be sent to me for processing, and completed documents can be returned by tracked domestic or international shipping.
Call or text (650) 675-7760 · WhatsApp for international clients
California Apostille Services
Apostille processing for eligible California-issued and California-notarized documents.
California Certified Record Retrieval Services
Need the certified court record first? Retrieval and coordination are available for qualifying California divorce decrees and other eligible court records when third-party retrieval is permitted.
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