California
U.S. Passport Copy Apostille in California
How California residents get their U.S. Passport Copy authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the California Secretary of State can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
If your U.S. Passport Copy was notarized in California, its apostille comes from the California Secretary of State in Sacramento — not from Washington.
- Authenticated by
- California Secretary of State
- California apostille office
- California Secretary of State, Sacramento
- Our nearest office
- Washington, D.C. (by mail)
- Price
- Quoted
Notarized in California: the exact route
A notarized document like this is authenticated through the notary, not the federal government. If it was notarized in California, the apostille is issued by the California Secretary of State in Sacramento.
- Hague Convention destination: the California apostille is the final step.
- Non-Hague destination: the California-authenticated document then goes to the U.S. Department of State and on to the destination’s embassy.
We don’t submit to the California Secretary of State directly. Once your document has its California authentication, we handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for non-Hague destinations ($399).
Get the notarial wording right before signing — requirements vary by destination, and a mistake means redoing the whole chain.
About the U.S. Passport Copy
How to apostille a certified copy of a U.S.
What the California Secretary of State can do
The California Secretary of State in Sacramento issues apostilles for documents signed by California officials — birth, death and marriage certificates from California registrars, California state-court records, and documents notarized by California notaries. It has no authority over federal documents such as FBI reports, USCIS certificates or IRS letters.
State offices set their own procedures and fees, so confirm current requirements with the office before submitting a state document.
Getting it done from 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.
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | State apostille | Varies by state |
| Non-Hague country | State authentication, then federal + embassy | 15–17 business days after the state step |
Serving Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento and everywhere else in California.
U.S. Passport Copy in California — FAQ
Can the California Secretary of State apostille my U.S. Passport Copy?
Yes, if it was notarized in California — a notarized U.S. Passport Copy is apostilled by the state where it was notarized.
Do I have to travel to Washington, D.C. from California?
No. We handle the Washington submission for you. Most California clients send their documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from California?
It depends on the state step first; for non-Hague destinations, our federal and embassy steps take 15–17 business days after that.
How much does it cost?
Pricing depends on where the document was notarized and the destination; we confirm it before any payment.
Related: U.S. Passport Copy — full guide · All documents in California · Federal vs. state apostille
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.