Apostille Support Preparation

Description

An apostille is a certification issued by the California Secretary of State that authenticates the signature on a public document for use in foreign countries under the Hague Convention.

This service helps prepare your notarized document for apostille submission, ensuring:

• Your document is properly notarized

• Forms are correctly filled out

• You know exactly how and where to submit it (Sacramento or Los Angeles office)

• Optional add-on: We handle drop-off or mailing on your behalf

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❓ Do I Need an Apostille?

Most people don’t know until someone tells them they do.

You need an apostille only if a foreign country or overseas authority requires it. An apostille confirms that your document is legitimate for use outside the United States under the Hague Convention.

If your document is staying within the U.S., you usually do not need an apostille.

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🌍 You Likely Need an Apostille If

• A foreign government requests it

• A foreign court or legal authority requires it

• You are using documents for immigration, residency, or visas abroad

• You are buying or selling property in another country

• You are authorizing someone overseas through a Power of Attorney

• A school, employer, or agency outside the U.S. asks for it

If the instructions say “apostille,” “Hague certification,” or “international authentication,” an apostille is required.

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🚫 You Likely Do Not Need an Apostille If

• The document will only be used in the United States

• The receiving country is not requesting international certification

• The request is for internal or domestic purposes

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📌 Not Sure? We Can Confirm

If you are unsure, tell us:

• The country the document is going to

• Who requested the document

• The type of document

We’ll confirm whether an apostille is required before you pay for a service you don’t need. – Please email or text us first!

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✅ Base Service Includes — $85 Flat Fee

• Review of document(s) for apostille eligibility

• Step-by-step instructions for submission to the CA Secretary of State

• Guidance on payment, forms, and envelope preparation

• Consultation via email or phone to clarify any questions

• If you need notarization, you can include it as add-on $15 per signature notarized (the document must be notarized before it can be sent for an apostille)

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📎 What This Service Is Not

• We do not issue apostilles — that is done by the California Secretary of State

• We do not translate or certify non-English documents

• This service is for California-issued documents only

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📌 Common Documents Requiring Apostilles

• Power of Attorney for overseas use

• Birth, death, or marriage certificates

• School transcripts or diplomas

• Business formation documents

• Adoption paperwork

• International travel or visa documents

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🧾 What to Bring

• Your original or notarized document

• The country the document will be sent to

• Any prefilled forms from the requesting foreign authority

• Payment method for CA Secretary of State (we’ll tell you what’s accepted)

• Optional: Your own prepaid mailing envelope for submission/return

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📄 Additional Fees (Automatically Calculated)

• Extra Documents (beyond 1): +$15 per document

• Notarization (if not already completed): +$15 per signature

• Travel Distance Add-ons:

  • 21–40 miles from Hayward: +$25

  • Over 40 miles: Contact for custom travel quote

💡 How to choose the correct travel option, fill out the form below to get distance for mobile notary:

• Scanbacks (if needed): +$20
  (Includes scanned copy of notarized document sent via email; only included if you need us to support the delivery)

• Mailing/Drop-off Assistance to Secretary of State (optional): +$30
  (Includes prep and delivery to Sacramento or mailing via USPS/FedEx)

🚚 Drop-Off to FedEx or UPS

Flat Drop-Off Fee: $30

This fee covers in-person drop-off of your prepared apostille documents at FedEx or UPS.

Shipping is not included.

You must provide a prepaid shipping label at the time of service.
If a label is not provided, we can purchase shipping on your behalf and charge the actual carrier cost based on speed and destination.

There are no shipping markups.

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📦 Shipping Requirements

• Prepaid FedEx or UPS label required for drop-off

• Return address and recipient details must be accurate

• Tracking must be active and verifiable

• International shipments require prior approval

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🧾 How This Applies

• Standard Apostille Service
  FedEx or UPS drop-off available for $30 plus client-provided label

• Rush Apostille Courier Service
  FedEx or UPS drop-off included
  Client must still provide a prepaid shipping label or pay carrier cost

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⚡ Rush Apostille Courier Service

$425 Total, Includes Base Apostille Service 

This service is for clients who need an apostille handled as fast as possible and cannot appear in person.

You sign once. We handle the rest.

This is a hands-on, priority courier service to the California Secretary of State for urgent travel, immigration, legal, or business needs.

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✅ Rush Service Includes

• Priority document intake and review

• Verification that notarization meets CA Secretary of State requirements

• All CA Secretary of State apostille fees for up to 3 certificates

• Physical courier delivery to the Secretary of State

• Expedited handling based on office availability

• Secure chain of custody and status updates

This is not a mail-and-wait service. Your documents are actively handled in person.

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⏱️ Why Choose Rush Service

• You cannot go yourself

• Time is critical

• Mistakes are not acceptable

• You want one point of contact and no guesswork

If an issue arises outside our control, you are notified immediately with next steps to correct it.

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⚠️ Rush Service Notes

• Processing speed depends on Secretary of State workload

• Same-day or next-business-day completion is not guaranteed

• Additional documents beyond 3 may require additional fees

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🌍 FAQ: What Countries Require an Apostille?

Any country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention accepts apostilles instead of embassy or consulate legalization.

As of today, this includes most major countries worldwide.

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✅ Common Countries That Accept Apostilles

• United Kingdom

• France

• Germany

• Spain

• Italy

• Netherlands

• Australia

• New Zealand

• Japan

• South Korea

• Philippines

• Mexico

• Brazil

• Argentina

• Chile

• Colombia

• India

• Israel

• South Africa

This list is not exhaustive and changes over time.

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📌 Important Reminder

The receiving authority always decides what is required.

Even if a country accepts apostilles, specific agencies may still ask for additional steps.

If you are unsure, we will confirm the correct process before moving forward.