714-308-6799
Apostille Services in Orange County
Sending a Document Overseas? I Can Help You Get It Apostille-Ready
What is an Apostille?
An apostille is a special certification attached to a public document, confirming it's authentic and can be legally recognized in another country. It doesn't verify what the document says — only that the signature, seal, or stamp on it is genuine and that the person who signed it had the authority to do so.
Apostilles are used when a document created in the U.S. needs to be used in another country that's a member of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. If you're sending a document abroad for a job, marriage, adoption, property purchase, or legal matter, there's a good chance you'll need one.
Do You Need an Apostille?
You likely need an apostille if you're:
- Getting married abroad
- Adopting internationally
- Working or studying overseas
- Buying property in another country
- Handling an international business transaction
- Submitting legal documents to a foreign court or government agency
Not every country participates in the Hague Convention. If your destination country isn't a member, your document will need "authentication" and consular legalization instead — a different process. Not sure which one applies to you? Reach out and I can help point you in the right direction.
Documents That Typically Qualify
Vital Records
- Birth certificates
- Death certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce decrees
Court Documents
- Court orders and judgments
- Adoption papers
- Name change decrees
Notarized Documents
- Powers of attorney
- Affidavits
- Contracts and agreements
- Corporate documents (articles of incorporation, bylaws)
Government-Issued Certificates
- FBI background checks
- Certificates of good standing (for businesses)
- Certified copies of government records
Educational Documents
- Diplomas and transcripts (these usually need to be notarized first, since schools aren't government agencies)
A Few Important Details
Certified copies, not photocopies. For vital records, court documents, and government certificates, you'll need a certified copy issued directly by the government agency — not a photocopy of an old certified document. Some agencies also require the certified copy to be recently issued.
Notaries can't certify copies of vital records. If you bring a copy of your birth certificate to a notary appointment expecting it to be notarized for apostille purposes, it won't work — California notaries (like most states) aren't permitted to notarize copies of vital records. Only the issuing government agency can certify a true copy. If you need this, I'm happy to point you toward the right office to request one.
In California, the California Secretary of State is the authority that issues apostilles for documents notarized or issued in this state.
How I Can Help
As a mobile notary, I can notarize documents that require it before they're submitted for an apostille — such as powers of attorney, affidavits, or business documents. I can meet you at your home, office, or another convenient location, and I'll walk you through exactly what's needed so your document isn't rejected due to a formatting or certification issue.
To make the process even easier, I can also act as the middle person between you and the Secretary of State's office — handling the submission of your document on your behalf. This means one less trip, one less form to figure out, and the peace of mind that everything is being submitted correctly the first time.
If you're not sure whether your document needs to be notarized first, or which office issues certified copies, reach out and I'll help you figure out the right next step.
Need an Apostille For Your Documents?
I'll meet you anywhere in Orange County
I proudly serve Newport Beach, Irvine, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, and all of Orange County.
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Contact us:
Amy Hill
714-308-6799