State guide
Federal Apostille Services in California
How California residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from California state documents handled by the California Secretary of State.
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in California — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from California residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. California state documents go to the California Secretary of State in Sacramento.
- State apostille office
- California Secretary of State
- Located in
- Sacramento
- Federal court districts
- 4
- Our office
- By mail via Washington, D.C.
Federal or California document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| California Department of Justice check | California Secretary of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| California birth, death or marriage certificate | California Secretary of State |
| Document notarized in California | California Secretary of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| California state court record | California Secretary of State |
Federal courts in California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
City guides: Los Angeles · San Diego · San Jose · San Francisco · Sacramento · Fresno · Oakland · Irvine · Riverside · Long Beach
How we serve California
We serve California by mail from our Washington, D.C. headquarters, close to the Office of Authentications. There’s no need to visit an office in person. We cover Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento and every other part of California.
Pricing is flat: $299 per document for Hague countries (10–12 business days) and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization (15–17 business days), government fees included.
Documents for California residents
Pick your document for the exact route from California:
California — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in California?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The California Secretary of State handles only California state documents.
Who issues apostilles for California state documents?
The California Secretary of State in Sacramento.
Which federal courts are in California?
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California; U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California; U.S. District Court for the Central District of California; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
Do I need to visit an office in California?
No. We work with California clients by mail and handle the Washington submission for you.
How much does a federal apostille cost?
$299 per document for Hague Convention countries and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, with government fees and U.S. shipping included.
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.