How to Get a California Death or Birth Certificate Apostilled

If you need to use a California birth certificate or death certificate outside of the United States, the document must be authenticated with an apostille.

California has very specific rules about which signatures can be authenticated, and this is one of the most common reasons documents get rejected.

Here’s a simple breakdown based on California Secretary of State requirements.

How to apostille a birth certificate in California

Birth or Death Certificate Apostille in California

Birth or Death Certificate Apostille in California

Which Signatures Can Be Apostilled?

For California vital records, the Secretary of State can issue an apostille only for signatures from:

• County Clerks and Deputy County Clerks

• County Recorders and Deputy County Recorders

• The State Registrar (California Department of Public Health)

These are the only officials whose signatures are accepted for apostille on birth and death certificates.

What If Your Certificate Has a Different Signature?

Some certificates — especially older or hospital-issued records — may include signatures such as:

• Health Officer

• Local Registrar

• County Registrar of Vital Records

These signatures cannot be apostilled directly.

How to Fix This (Before Apostille)

If your document has one of these signatures, you have two options:

Option 1: County Clerk Certification Take your certificate to the County Clerk’s office where it was issued and request certification. Once certified, the new signature can be apostilled.

Option 2: Request a New Certified Copy You can order a new certified copy from:

• The County Recorder’s Office, or

• The California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

Certified copies from these offices include acceptable signatures.

Where to Check the Signature

You’ll find the official’s signature, title, and seal at the bottom of the certificate.

Before submitting for apostille, confirm:

• Who signed the document

• Their official title

• Whether the signature is eligible

If you're unsure, I can review your document before submission to help you avoid delays.

Need Help with a Vital Record Apostille?

I assist with:

• Reviewing your document to confirm it’s apostille-ready

• Helping you obtain the correct certified copy

• Coordinating submission to the California Secretary of State

• Secure return delivery

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If you're not sure where to start, I can guide you through the entire process.

View my California apostille services

Or contact me directly to get started.

Call or text: (650) 675-7760