Birth Certificate Apostille California
From $150 All-In · CA Secretary of State · Hague Convention Ready
What Is a Birth Certificate Apostille?
An apostille is a form of international authentication issued by a state government that certifies a document is genuine for use in foreign countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Convention. For a California birth certificate, the apostille is issued by the California Secretary of State Apostille Unit in Sacramento.
A certified copy of your birth certificate — issued with the county registrar seal — does not typically need separate notarization before apostille. Sacramento Notary Co reviews your document, files it at the CA SOS, and ships the apostilled original back to you via tracked mail.
Immigration & Visa
Required for permanent residency applications, visa sponsorships, and naturalization in countries such as Mexico, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Philippines.
Marriage Abroad
Many countries require an apostilled birth certificate when registering a marriage with foreign civil authorities — especially in Latin America and Europe.
International Adoption
Adoption proceedings in Hague Convention countries require authenticated vital records for the adoptive parents and the child. We handle multiple documents per case.
School & University
Foreign universities and international schools often require apostilled birth certificates for enrollment, especially in France, Germany, South Korea, and Japan.
Inheritance & Estate
Claiming an inheritance or property abroad often requires an apostilled birth certificate to prove lineage and identity in foreign probate proceedings.
Dual Citizenship
Applications for dual citizenship in countries like Italy, Ireland, Poland, and Portugal typically require apostilled birth certificates for each generation in the lineage.
Birth Certificate Apostille Pricing
All prices are flat-rate and include the California Secretary of State state fee, filing, and tracked return shipping. No hidden fees — confirmed upfront.
Standard Apostille
$1505–10 business days. Includes CA SOS state fee, filing, and USPS Priority tracked return. One certified copy.
Rush Apostille
$2502–3 business days via CA SOS Apostille Unit expedite channel. Includes state fee, filing, and FedEx tracked return.
Multi-Doc Bundle
$3503 or more documents at a bundled rate. Ideal for adoption cases, dual-citizenship lineage packets, or family immigration filings.
If your birth certificate needs notarization before apostille (e.g., it is a photocopy or out-of-state), add $70 for mobile notary. If your birth certificate is from another state, we can advise on the correct SOS and provide supporting notarization. Call (916) 856-7000 to confirm your document type before mailing.
How the California Birth Certificate Apostille Works
Sacramento Notary Co handles the entire process from receipt to return. Here is the step-by-step for California-issued birth certificates.
Step 1 — Get a Certified Copy
Order a certified copy of your California birth certificate from the county vital records office where you were born (e.g., Sacramento County, Los Angeles County). A photocopy will not work — must have the registrar seal.
Step 2 — Mail to Us
Mail your certified copy to Sacramento Notary Co, 8264 Center Parkway #99, Sacramento CA 95823. Include your name, return address, destination country, and payment. We confirm receipt by email.
Step 3 — SOS Filing
We file your document directly at the California Secretary of State Apostille Unit in Sacramento. Standard processing is 5–10 business days from filing. Rush is 2–3 business days.
Step 4 — Tracked Return
Once the SOS attaches the apostille certificate, we ship your original document back via USPS Priority Mail or FedEx with full tracking. International shipping available on request.
Common Countries & Use Cases
California birth certificate apostilles are used across 125+ Hague Convention member countries. Below are the most frequent use cases we handle.
Mexico & Latin America
Immigration, marriage registration, property inheritance, and business formation in Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, and Argentina.
Philippines
Marriage registration with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), dual citizenship applications, and immigration filings through the Bureau of Immigration.
Italy & Europe
Italian citizenship by descent (Jure Sanguinis), marriage registration, Schengen visa applications, and university enrollment in Germany, France, and Spain.
China & South Korea
Adoption proceedings, school enrollment, employment visa applications, and marriage registration at embassies or consulates.
India
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) applications, marriage registration, immigration sponsorship, and property transactions requiring foreign identity proof.
UK, Australia & Canada
Skilled worker visa applications, ancestry visa filings, marriage registration, and name-change proceedings that require authenticated US birth records.
Birth Certificate Apostille FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about getting an apostille on a California birth certificate.
Can a CA birth certificate get an apostille?
Yes — certified copies issued by a California county vital records office are eligible. The document must have the county registrar seal. Photocopies are not accepted.
How much does it cost?
Standard: $150 all-in (state fee + filing + tracked return). Rush: $250. Multi-doc bundle (3+): $350.
How long does it take?
Standard processing is 5–10 business days from receipt. Rush is 2–3 business days. Turnaround starts once we receive your certified copy.
Do I need to notarize my birth certificate first?
No — a certified county copy does not need notarization. If you only have a photocopy, we can provide notarization for $70 before filing.
What if my birth certificate is from another state?
It must be apostilled by that state’s SOS — not California’s. We can provide notarization of supporting documents and advise on the correct routing.
Can I mail my document from anywhere in California?
Yes. Our mail-in service is available statewide. Mail your certified copy to our Sacramento office and we handle everything. International return shipping available.