Tifini, Notary Public & Apostille Services
Call or Text (650) 675-7760
Need an apostille in Sunnyvale, CA? I provide mobile notary and California apostille services throughout Sunnyvale, including Cherry Chase, Ponderosa, Heritage District, Birdland, Lakewood Village, and surrounding neighborhoods. I travel to your home, office, or another convenient Sunnyvale location to notarize eligible documents before personally coordinating apostille processing with the California Secretary of State in Sacramento. Once your apostille is complete, your documents are returned securely with tracking. Certified record retrieval, certified document translation, embassy legalization for non-Hague countries, and international shipping are also available when needed.
Apostille Services in Sunnyvale, CA
Apostille Services in Sunnyvale, California
Apostille services in Sunnyvale, CA are commonly needed for international legal, academic, business, immigration, and personal matters. I help simplify the process by reviewing document requirements, providing mobile notarization when needed, and coordinating submission to the California Secretary of State for apostille certification.
I assist Sunnyvale residents, technology professionals, families, students, and business owners with apostilles for birth certificates, marriage certificates, powers of attorney, diplomas, transcripts, FBI background checks, and corporate documents intended for use abroad.
How The Apostille Process Works in Sunnyvale, CA
The apostille process depends on the document type and destination country.
Step 1: Document Review
Your document is reviewed to determine whether it qualifies for apostille certification and whether notarization is required.
Step 2: Notarization (If Required)
Certain documents, such as powers of attorney and affidavits, may need notarization before submission.
Step 3: Apostille Submission
Eligible documents are submitted to the California Secretary of State or the appropriate federal authority for processing.
Step 4: Return Delivery
Once completed, your apostilled documents are returned by secure shipping or delivery arrangements.
If your destination country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, authentication and embassy legalization may be required instead.
Apostille Services
in Sunnyvale, CA
More Information For Apostille & Mobile Notary Services
The Hague Apostille Convention is an international agreement that allows documents issued in one member country to be legally recognized in another through a single apostille certificate. This process simplifies international document authentication and removes the need for embassy legalization in participating countries.
Sunnyvale clients frequently request apostille services for:
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Birth certificates and marriage certificates (certified copies)
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School transcripts and diplomas for international universities
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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. If your documents are going to a non-Hague country, it’s important to understand the difference between apostille vs authentication before proceeding.
Steps for Document Authentication for Non-Hague Countries
Document Authentication and Embassy Legalization
If your destination country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, your documents will usually require authentication and embassy or consular legalization instead of an apostille.
Step 1: Document Review
Some documents, such as Powers of Attorney and affidavits, may need notarization first. Vital records, like birth and marriage certificates, usually must be certified copies.
Step 2: Authentication
State-issued documents are generally authenticated by the Secretary of State where they originated. Some federal documents, such as FBI background checks, require U.S. Department of State authentication.
Step 3: Embassy Legalization
After authentication, the documents are submitted to the embassy or consulate of the destination country for legalization. Some countries may also require certified translations or additional supporting documents.
Important: Requirements vary by country and document type. A document review before submission can help avoid delays.
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
California Secretary of State Fees
California Secretary of State fees are separate from my service fees:
$20 per apostilled document
$6 special handling fee per public official signature authenticated, when applicable
Return Delivery Options​
Tracked domestic and international return shipping is available. Shipping costs are quoted separately based on destination and requested service level. Local pickup or delivery can also be arranged.
Government fees, notarization, document retrieval, local pickup or delivery, and return shipping are additional when applicable.
California Certified Birth Certificate (sample)
Resources
California Apostille on Birth Certificate (sample)
Frequently Asked Questions - Sunnyvale Apostille
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 Sunnyvale? 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.
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 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.
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.
Do documents need to be notarized before getting an apostille?
Some documents require notarization before apostille processing, including powers of attorney, affidavits, consent letters, authorization forms, and certain business documents. Certified California birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and divorce decrees do not require notarization before apostille processing.
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What if my document is going to a non-Hague country?
If the destination country is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, the document requires authentication and embassy or consulate legalization instead of an apostille.
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Can an apostille request be rejected?
Yes. A request can be rejected if the document is incomplete, improperly notarized, issued by the wrong agency, submitted to the wrong authority, or does not meet California Secretary of State requirements.
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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.
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.
Copy Of U.S. Passport Apostille California
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.
Apostille For Birth Certificate California
California Death Certificate Apostille
California Divorce Decree Apostille
California Apostille Services
Apostille processing for eligible California-issued and California-notarized documents.
California Apostille Services
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Mobile Notary Services
Need your Power of Attorney notarized first? Mobile notarization is available throughout San Mateo County and Santa Clara County.
Mobile Notary Services
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Certified Document Translation Services
Certified translations in 130+ languages for documents used internationally.
Certified Translation Services
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FBI Background Check Apostille & Authentication
Federal authentication services for FBI background checks used outside the United States.
FBI Background Check Services
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California Secretary of State fees, certified record retrieval, local pickup or delivery, return shipping, translation, and other additional services are separate when applicable.
California Commissioned Notary Public | Certified Apostille Support Specialist | Bonded & Insured