Apostille / Legalization Services

Most Common Documents that can be Apostilled or Legalized:

1. Personal Documents

These documents are typically needed for personal matters such as marriage, adoption, or dual citizenship.

Birth Certificates: Must be a certified copy issued by the California Department of Public Health or County Clerk's office.
Marriage Certificates: Must be a certified copy from the County Clerk where the marriage was registered.
Death Certificates: Must be a certified copy from the County Clerk or California Department of Public Health.
Divorce Decrees: Issued by a State court, must be certified copy
Medical Records: Signed by Licensed Medical Practitioner and notarized.
Affidavits: These need to be notarized before submission for an Apostille.
Power of Attorney (POA): Must be notarized.
Adoption Papers: Must be certified copies from the court or notarized if applicable.

2. Business Documents

These documents are often needed for international business dealings, contract enforcement, or intellectual property protection.

Articles of Incorporation: Certified by the California Secretary of State.
Certificate of Formation: Certified by the California Secretary of State.
Corporate Resolutions: Notarized by a California notary.
Contracts/Agreements: Notarized by a California notary for authenticity.
Certificates of Good Standing: Issued by the California Secretary of State.
Trademarks or Patent Assignments: Certified by the Secretary of State or U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

3. Academic Documents

Documents related to education are often Apostilled for international study or employment.

Diplomas: Must be notarized by a school official or registrar and then notarized.
Transcripts: Must be certified or notarized by the educational institution’s registrar.
Degree Certificates: Notarized by school official or registrar from educational institutions.
TEFL Certificates: Notarized and then Apostilled for teaching abroad.

Most Common Documents that can be Apostilled or Legalized:

Federal Documents (Must be certified copy issued by the relevant authority)

Background Checks (issued by the FBI).
Court Orders, e.g. Judgments or Decrees issued by a U.S. Federal Court
Social Security Administration Documents
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Documents
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Documents
Certificates of Naturalization issued by USCIS (must be certified copy)
IRS Documents such as income tax returns or IRS certification of U.S. residency.
Certificates or permits issued by the FDA
Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by U.S. consulates for children born to U.S. citizens abroad.
U.S. Department of State (USDOS) Documents
Certificate to Foreign Country: Issued by Department of Agriculture.
Medical Records: Notarized by a licensed medical practitioner.

Key Points:

Notarization: For many documents, notarization is required before they can be Apostilled.
Certified Copies: Government-issued documents like birth, death, and marriage certificates must be certified copies, notarization is not required.
Federal Documents: Certain documents issued by different Federal Agencies, like FBI background checks, Federal Court Documents require authentication from the U.S. Department of State, not an Apostille from California. These documents don't need to be notarized.

Make sure the document is properly notarized or certified by the issuing authority to ensure a smooth Apostille / Authentication process. Call us if you have questions on some specific documents that needs to be apostilled or authenticated.

We have both English and Chinese speaking staff to accommodate all your Notary, Apostille & Legalization Needs. Please call or text (626) 590-3560 or Email to: Kathryn@CAMobileApostille.com