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.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
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.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from California are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the California Secretary of State.
- California state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the California Secretary of State. We don’t provide state-level apostilles.
- Through us: $299 all-in for Hague countries (10–12 business days) or $399 with embassy legalization for non-Hague countries (15–17 business days).
- Do it yourself: Form DS-4194 and a $20 fee per document — processed within 5 weeks by mail, or 7 business days if you drop it off in Washington, D.C.
- State apostille office
- California Secretary of State
- Located in
- Sacramento
- Federal court districts
- 4
- Our offices
- Los Angeles and San Francisco
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 have processing offices in California: Los Angeles and San Francisco. They handle orders by phone and online and aren’t open to the public, so documents come to us by mail — the fastest route to Washington. 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.
Official sources: California Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries) · NASS — State Apostille Offices.
Documents for California residents
Pick your document for the exact route from California:
Where are California state documents apostilled?
California-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in California — are apostilled by the California Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, not by the U.S. Department of State. We don’t provide state-level apostilles, so request it directly from the office below. If it is going to a non-Hague country, get the California authentication first; we then handle the U.S. Department of State and embassy steps for $399.
| Office | California Secretary of State, Notary Public Section |
|---|---|
| In person | 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 (also Los Angeles: 300 South Spring Street) |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001 |
| Phone | (916) 653-6814 |
| Hours | Sacramento Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $20 |
| Processing time (published) | Mail processed in order received; same day in person |
Source: California Secretary of State — official apostille page (checked October 2026). Fees, hours and appointment rules change — confirm with the office before you send anything.
How long does a federal apostille take from California?
The U.S. Department of State is the only office that issues a federal apostille. Mailed in yourself, it is processed within 5 weeks of receipt; dropped off in person in Washington, D.C., within 7 business days. Through us it takes 10–12 business days, or 15–17 business days for a non-Hague country that also needs embassy legalization.
| Route | How | Processing time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mail it yourself | Form DS-4194 + check to the Office of Authentications, Sterling, VA | Within 5 weeks of receipt | $20 per document + shipping |
| Drop it off yourself | 600 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C. — Mon–Thu, 7:30–9:00 AM, no appointment | Within 7 business days | $20 per document + travel |
| Emergency appointment | Only for a life-or-death family emergency with travel within 2 weeks | Same day | $20 per document |
| Through Federal Apostille USA | We review it, drop it off in D.C. and return it to you with tracking | 10–12 business days total | $299 all-in ($399 non-Hague) |
What does a federal apostille cost from California?
The government fee is $20 per document, paid with Form DS-4194. Our all-in price is $299 per document, covering the government fee, review, D.C. drop-off and U.S. return shipping; non-Hague destinations are $399 with embassy legalization.
Government figures: U.S. Department of State — Request Authentication Services (checked October 2026).
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.