Your Apostille Agent Questions, Answered
If you need documents certified for use outside the United States, understanding the apostille and authentication process in California is essential. An apostille verifies the authenticity of a document so it can be legally recognized in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. While apostilles are officially issued by the California Secretary of State, our mobile notary and apostille services help simplify the process by assisting with notarization, document preparation, certified translations when required, and secure submission and return. The FAQs below answer the most common questions clients have about California apostille services, authentications, processing times, requirements, and international document use.
General Apostille Questions:
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An apostille certifies a document for international use under the Hague Convention.
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Birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, powers of attorney, and corporate documents.
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While the California Secretary of State is the only authority authorized to issue apostilles in California, we serve as your convenient apostille processing partner to help streamline the entire process for you.
We assist by properly notarizing your documents, coordinating certified document translation when required, and hand-delivering your documents directly to the California Secretary of State for apostille processing. Once the apostille is completed, we securely return your documents to you or ship them to your chosen destination, including international delivery.
This end-to-end support helps ensure your documents are processed accurately, efficiently, and with minimal stress, especially when time-sensitive or international requirements are involved.
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Turnaround varies from same-day to several business days, depending on service level.
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Yes, we can notarize your document and deliver them to the Secretary of State office for apostille processing.
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Yes we provide apostille courier services to the California Secretary of State office in Los Angeles for other notaries who are located in and outside of California for a fee.
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Document authentication is the process of certifying a document so it will be legally accepted in a country that does not recognize apostilles. It involves verification by state and federal authorities and final approval by the destination country’s embassy or consulate.
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While document authentication is performed by government authorities and foreign embassies or consulates, we serve as your convenient coordination and processing partner to help guide your documents through the required steps.
We assist by properly notarizing eligible documents, coordinating certified translations when required, and facilitating submission to the appropriate state, federal, and foreign authorities based on the destination country’s requirements. Once authentication is completed, we ensure your documents are securely returned to you or delivered to your chosen destination, including international mailing.
This streamlined approach helps reduce delays, prevent common submission errors, and ensure your documents meet the specific legalization requirements of countries that do not participate in the Hague Apostille Convention.
We proudly provide mobile notary and apostille services throughout the Inland Empire, including Fontana, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, Redlands, Moreno Valley, Corona, Eastvale, Upland, and surrounding communities. Same-day and emergency notary appointments are available across Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and select East Los Angeles County locations.