California
Federal Corporate Documents Apostille for California Residents
How California residents get their Federal Corporate Documents authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the California Secretary of State can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
There is no federal apostille office in California. Federal documents like your Federal Corporate Documents are authenticated only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — the California Secretary of State can’t apostille them. We handle the Washington submission; you send the document by mail.
Key takeaways
- Issued by Internal Revenue Service / various federal agencies; apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State — the California Secretary of State can’t apostille it.
- 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.
- Authenticated by
- U.S. Department of State
- California apostille office
- California Secretary of State, Sacramento
- Our offices
- Los Angeles and San Francisco
- Price
- $299 per document, government fees included
Why living in California doesn’t change the route
This document is issued by various federal agencies, a federal authority. Federal documents are authenticated only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — the California Secretary of State in Sacramento has no authority over them, and a state apostille on a federal document will be rejected abroad.
So the process for California residents is the same as for anyone else in the country: get the document to us, we hand-deliver it in Washington, and it comes back ready to use.
About the Federal Corporate Documents
How to apostille federally issued corporate documents — EIN letters (CP-575) and federal registrations — for foreign business.
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 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.
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | U.S. Department of State apostille | 10–12 business days |
| Non-Hague country | Authentication + embassy legalization | 15–17 business days |
Serving Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento and everywhere else in California.
Official sources: IRS — Employer ID Numbers · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · California Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries).
California state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) are apostilled by the California Secretary of State, Notary Public Section · 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 (also Los Angeles: 300 South Spring Street) · (916) 653-6814 · state fee $20. We don’t provide state-level apostilles. Official page (checked October 2026).
How long does the Federal Corporate Documents 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 it 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).
Federal Corporate Documents in California — FAQ
Can the California Secretary of State apostille my Federal Corporate Documents?
No. This is a federal document, so only the U.S. Department of State can authenticate it. A state apostille on it would be rejected abroad.
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?
About 10–12 business days for Hague Convention countries and 15–17 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, plus shipping.
How much does it cost?
$299 per document for Hague countries, with government fees and U.S. shipping included; non-Hague destinations are $399 including embassy legalization.
Related: Federal Corporate Documents — 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.