An apostille is the certificate that lets a U.S. public document be used in a country that belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention. In Los Angeles, most of the work is getting the right document, signed and notarized the right way, to the right office: California, another state, or the U.S. Department of State.
Apostille vs Notarization
| Feature | Notarization | Apostille |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Verifies signer identity | Authenticates documents for international use |
| Where it applies | United States only | Outside the United States |
| Issuing authority | California Notary Public | The issuing state’s Secretary of State, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents |
| International acceptance | No | Yes (Hague Convention countries) |
| Common mistake | Assuming it’s enough for overseas use | Skipping required notarization |
For individuals and businesses in Los Angeles, understanding the Apostille process is essential — whether you’re sending a birth certificate abroad, validating corporate documents, or preparing for an overseas marriage.
At Anshin Mobile Notary & LiveScan, we provide fast, reliable, and professional Apostille services in Los Angeles, ensuring your documents are correctly prepared and accepted overseas without delays.
Need an apostille? We handle apostilles in California and nationwide.
What Is an Apostille?
An Apostille is a type of certificate issued by a competent authority — in California, that’s the California Secretary of State — to authenticate the origin of a public document.
It verifies:
- The authenticity of the signature
- The capacity in which the person signed
- The identity of the seal or stamp on the document
An apostille is recognized in countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961, though the receiving office still decides whether the document itself meets its requirements.
Why Do You Need Apostille Services in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is home to a diverse, international community. Residents often require Apostilles for:
- Personal documents – birth, marriage, and death certificates for immigration or marriage abroad
- Business documents – corporate agreements, trademarks, and powers of attorney for international operations
- Educational documents – diplomas and transcripts for studying overseas
- Legal documents – court orders or adoption papers for cross-border recognition
Whether you’re an individual or a corporation, getting the Apostille process right the first time is crucial. A single mistake could delay your plans by weeks.
Who Issues Apostilles in Los Angeles?
California documents (vital records, court documents, and documents notarized by a California notary) are apostilled by the California Secretary of State, which takes apostille requests in person at its Los Angeles office in the Ronald Reagan State Building, 300 South Spring Street, downtown, as well as in Sacramento. As of October 2026 the Los Angeles office is temporarily serving customers on the first floor, north wing; check the Secretary of State’s website before you go. Documents issued in another state go to that state’s apostille office, and federal documents, such as an FBI background check, go to the U.S. Department of State. However, you don’t have to handle the process alone — Anshin Mobile Notary & LiveScan offers a complete, end-to-end service, including:
- Document review
- Notarization (if required)
- Submission to the Secretary of State
- Retrieval and delivery of your Apostilled document
Documents That Commonly Require Apostille
Personal Documents
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce decrees
- Death certificates
- Adoption papers
Educational Documents
- High school diplomas
- University transcripts
- Professional certificates
Business Documents
- Articles of Incorporation
- Powers of Attorney
- Trademarks and patents
- Business agreements
Step-by-Step Process of Getting an Apostille in Los Angeles
Step 1: Identify Your Document Type
Determine whether your document is a public record (like a birth certificate) or a notarized private document.
Step 2: Ensure Notarization if Needed
If your document is not a public record, it must be notarized by a licensed notary public.
Step 3: Submit for Apostille
Submit for apostille to the right authority: the California Secretary of State for California documents, the issuing state’s office for documents from another state, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents.
Step 4: Receive Your Apostilled Document
Once processed, your document will be returned with the Apostille attached.
How Long Does It Take?
How long it takes depends less on the apostille office than on the document: whether it is the correct certified version, whether it needs notarization first, and whether it goes to California, another state or the U.S. Department of State. We review the document before giving you a timeline. On rush projects we can scan the finished document and its apostille so you can forward it, or start a translation, while the original is in transit.
Benefits of Using Anshin Mobile Notary & LiveScan for Apostille Services
Convenience
We come to you — no waiting in government lines or navigating confusing instructions.
Accuracy
Our experience ensures your documents meet California Secretary of State requirements.
Speed
We prioritize quick turnaround so you can meet deadlines for travel, business, or legal matters.
Mobile Service Across Los Angeles
From Downtown LA to Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and surrounding areas, we provide mobile Apostille services wherever you are.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Getting an Apostille
- Submitting expired or damaged documents
- Forgetting notarization for private documents
- Using photocopies instead of certified originals
- Sending documents to the wrong government office
We check for each of these before anything is submitted.
What We See Go Wrong with Apostilles in Los Angeles
“Copy certification by document custodian” on diplomas and transcripts
A common shortcut is California’s copy certification by document custodian: someone signs as the custodian, stating that a copy is true and correct, and a notary notarizes that signature. The problem is who signs. The Secretary of State defines the custodian narrowly as whoever actually has custody of the records, which for a diploma or transcript means the school’s registrar’s office. When anyone else signs as custodian, the document doesn’t hold up, and receiving countries are getting better at spotting it. What holds up is the registrar’s office signing, notarized there, either by a notary inside that office or by a mobile notary who goes there and witnesses it.
A notary stamp placed directly on a copy
We have seen notaries, including California notaries, stamp and sign a copy of a diploma or school certificate directly. A California notary is not permitted to do that, and an apostille built on it will not hold up.
A notary from another state
The California Secretary of State checks a notary’s signature against its own list of California notaries. It has no list of notaries commissioned in other states. If your document is going to the California Secretary of State, for example a power of attorney, have it notarized by a California notary. The same applies in reverse: a document notarized in another state is apostilled by that state.
Amended birth certificates
When a birth certificate has been amended, people often get an apostille for the amendment only, when the original birth certificate needs one as well.
Small errors that cause rejections
Wrong dates. Misspelled names. A notarial certificate naming someone other than the person who actually signed the document. Any one of these can get a document refused, so we check each of them before anything is submitted.
Need a Notary or Live Scan at the Same Appointment?
Notarization, apostille and Live Scan fingerprinting are separate services. If a document needs to be notarized before its apostille, we take care of that as part of the apostille work. If you separately need notary services or Live Scan fingerprinting, we can schedule them at the same visit.
Apostille vs. Legalization – What’s the Difference?
- Apostille: Accepted by countries in the Hague Apostille Convention.
- Legalization: Required for countries not part of the Hague Convention, involving consulate or embassy authentication.
If you’re unsure which process you need, we’ll guide you based on your destination country.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apostille Services in Los Angeles
How much does an Apostille cost in Los Angeles?
The California Secretary of State charges a per-document fee, and service costs vary depending on whether the document is a vital record, a notarized document, or a federal record. At Anshin Mobile Notary & LiveScan, we provide clear, upfront pricing with no hidden fees. You can review our services at our Apostille page.
Can I get a same-day Apostille in Los Angeles?
Yes. Same-day Apostille is often possible when documents are ready and submitted early in the day. Our mobile service can pick up documents anywhere in Los Angeles and hand-deliver them to the Secretary of State’s Los Angeles office for faster turnaround.
Where can I get documents notarized before an Apostille in Los Angeles?
You may visit our Los Angeles office or schedule a mobile appointment. We notarize documents that require authentication before Apostille and ensure the notarization meets California’s requirements. Learn more about notarization at our Notary Services page.
Do notarized documents need to be originals for an Apostille?
Yes. Notarization must be performed on an original document or a certified copy. Photocopies are not accepted for Apostille processing in California.
Can you Apostille vital records such as birth, death, or marriage certificates?
Yes, when it is a certified copy issued by the proper vital records office. California records are apostilled by California, and records from another state are apostilled by that state — we handle both. Hospital-issued certificates and informational copies cannot be apostilled. If your document is older or damaged, a new certified copy may be required.
Can you Apostille documents issued outside California?
Yes. We handle apostilles for documents issued in every U.S. state, not just California. Each document is authenticated by the state that issued it — a Texas birth certificate by Texas, a New York diploma by New York — and we take care of those submissions for you, including projects with documents from several states at once. Federal documents, such as an FBI background check, go to the U.S. Department of State, and we handle those too.
Can you Apostille federal documents like an FBI background check?
Yes, but federal documents must be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., not California. We assist clients with Apostilles for federal FBI background checks—common for visas, immigration, and overseas work. Learn more at our FBI Background Check guide.
Do you provide Apostille services for foreign-language documents?
Yes, as long as the document meets California’s requirements for Apostille. Some countries require certified translations, which we can arrange when needed.
What if my destination country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention?
Then an apostille is usually not the right instrument, and which office you’re dealing with matters. For a federal document, such as an FBI background check, the U.S. Department of State checks the destination: if the country is not a Hague member, an apostille request is refused and you must apply for an authentication certificate instead. California does not check. It will issue an apostille or a certification, whichever you ask for, so a state document can come back correctly issued but wrong for its purpose. Ask the receiving embassy or consulate which one it requires before anything is submitted. Many non-Hague countries then also require legalization at their embassy or consulate. We assist with both Apostilles and full legalization.
Do I need an appointment for Apostille services in Los Angeles?
Same-day appointments are welcomed. Appointments are required for the fastest service—especially for mobile pickup or same-day requests.
How long does it take to get an Apostille in Los Angeles?
It depends on the document and its route. A California record, an out-of-state record and an FBI background check each go to a different office, and a document that needs correcting adds time before it can be submitted at all. We confirm timing once we have reviewed your documents. For tight deadlines we offer rush service, and our mobile service can pick up documents anywhere in Los Angeles.
Can you help if my document was rejected for Apostille?
Yes. Rejections usually occur due to outdated vital records, missing notarization elements, damaged documents, or signatures that cannot be verified. We review your documents in advance to ensure compliance. If your documents are rejected, we will prepare the document correctly for resubmission.
Conclusion
Getting an Apostille in Los Angeles doesn’t have to be a complicated process. With Anshin Mobile Notary & LiveScan, you’ll have a trusted partner who understands every step — from notarization to final authentication — so your documents are ready for the office that receives them.
Whether you need a birth certificate apostilled for immigration, business contracts authenticated for overseas operations, or academic transcripts validated for study abroad, we deliver accuracy, speed, and convenience every time.
Contact Anshin Mobile Notary & LiveScan today to schedule your Apostille service and make your international transactions worry-free.
Also read: How to Get an Apostille in California · Apostille Services
