Apostille & Legalization Services
Comprehensive notary, apostille, and legalization services for all document types
Our Services
Notarization Services
Professional document notarization
Verify signer identity with government-issued ID
Witness signature application
Maintain proper documentation records
Provide official notary seal and signature
Available for residential and business locations
Apostille Certification
International document authentication (Hague Convention)
Authenticates documents for international use
Valid in 190+ countries
Certified by California Secretary of State
Includes official certification certificate
Standard: 2-4 business days
Expedited: Same day service available
Legalization Services
Full legal document processing for international use
Multi-step authentication process
Secretary of State certification
Embassy/Consulate coordination
Document translation support available
International delivery options
Expert guidance through entire process
Federal Authentication
Authentication for federal government documents
4-8 weeks depending on government agency
Requires authentication from U.S. Department of State
Specialized handling for FBI, federal court, and agency documents
No notarization required for most federal documents
Expert guidance on document requirements
Most Common Documents That Can Be Apostilled or Legalized
Personal Documents
Commonly needed for personal matters such as marriage, adoption, or dual citizenship
Birth Certificates (certified copy from CA Department of Public Health or County Clerk)
Marriage Certificates (certified copy from County Clerk)
Death Certificates (certified copy from County Clerk or CA Department of Public Health)
Divorce Decrees (certified copy from State court)
Medical Records (signed by Licensed Medical Practitioner and notarized)
Affidavits (must be notarized before apostille)
Power of Attorney (POA - must be notarized)
Adoption Papers (certified copies from court or notarized)
Business Documents
Often needed for international business dealings, contract enforcement, or IP protection
Articles of Incorporation (certified by CA Secretary of State)
Certificate of Formation (certified by CA Secretary of State)
Corporate Resolutions (notarized by CA notary)
Contracts/Agreements (notarized by CA notary)
Certificates of Good Standing (issued by CA Secretary of State)
Trademarks or Patent Assignments (certified by Secretary of State or USPTO)
Academic Documents
Often apostilled for international study or employment abroad
Diplomas (notarized by school official or registrar)
Transcripts (certified or notarized by registrar)
Degree Certificates (notarized by school official or registrar)
TEFL Certificates (notarized and then apostilled for teaching abroad)
Federal Documents
Must be certified copies issued by the relevant federal authority
Background Checks (issued by FBI)
Court Orders, Judgments, or Decrees (from 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 - certified copy)
IRS Documents (income tax returns or IRS residency certification)
FDA Certificates or Permits
Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA - issued by U.S. consulates)
U.S. Department of State (USDOS) Documents
Certificate to Foreign Country (issued by Department of Agriculture)
Important Key Points
Notarization
Many documents require notarization before they can be apostilled.
Certified Copies
Government-issued documents (birth, death, marriage certificates) must be certified copies. Notarization is not required.
Federal Documents
Certain federal documents (FBI background checks, federal court documents) require authentication from the U.S. Department of State, not an apostille.
Document Requirements
Ensure your document is properly notarized or certified by the issuing authority for a smooth apostille/authentication process.
Unsure About Your Document?
We have bilingual (English and Chinese speaking) staff to help answer questions about specific documents that need to be apostilled or authenticated.