California Power of Attorney Apostille Guide
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At a Glance (Key Facts)
- Authority: California Secretary of State (CA SOS) — Apostilles
- Eligible documents: POAs notarized by a California Notary Public with a complete notarial certificate
- Fees (2026): $20 per apostille. In-person add-on: $6 special handling per public official's signature
- Timelines: Mail ~1–3 weeks; walk-in same/next business day (capacity dependent)
- Addresses:
- • Mail (USPS): Notary Public Section, P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001
- • Courier: 1500 11th St., Sacramento, CA 95814
- • Walk-in: Sacramento (1500 11th St., Rm 495) and Los Angeles (300 S. Spring St., Rm 12513)
Quick Decision Guide: Do you qualify?
- ✓The POA was signed in California and notarized by a California Notary Public
- ✓The notary certificate is complete (venue, date, notary signature + printed name, commission no., expiry, seal, acknowledgment/jurat text)
- ✓You're sending the original notarized POA (not a plain photocopy)
- ✗The POA was notarized outside California. (Use that state's SOS.)
- ✗The document is unsigned, unnotarized, or the certificate is incomplete
- ✗The foreign authority actually asked for a federal document (e.g., FBI) — that goes to U.S. Department of State, not CA SOS
What a POA apostille is (and isn't)
An apostille confirms the authenticity of the notary's signature/seal — it does not validate the legal content of your POA, assign rights, or replace legal advice. For non-Hague countries, the flow is state authentication → (sometimes) U.S. Department of State → consular legalization.
Which California POAs qualify (eligibility checklist)
- California notary performed the notarization
- Acknowledgment (§1189) or jurat (§8202) text present
- Notary seal + commission number + expiry date
- Names match passport and POA text (avoid initials mismatch)
- No cross-outs; ink is legible and permanent
- The POA is original (no scans/photocopies unless a notary-certified copy created in CA, where permissible)
• Multiple signers: each signature needs its own notary certificate.
• Name changes: attach proof (e.g., certified marriage certificate) if the foreign office requests it.
• Translations: usually done after apostille; confirm with the foreign office.
Step-by-Step How-To (California Secretary of State)
- 1
Notarize correctly in California
Use a California notary with a complete acknowledgment (preferred) or jurat. Don't let the notary skip venue/date/commission data or seal.
- 2
Prepare the Apostille Request Cover Sheet
Download the CA SOS cover sheet. Fill contact info and destination country (this drives apostille wording).
- 3
Payment
Include $20 per apostille (check/money order to "Secretary of State"). For walk-in, budget an extra $6 per public official's signature.
- 4
Submit
Mail to USPS P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001 (include a tracked return envelope/label). Courier to 1500 11th St., Sacramento, CA 95814. Walk-in: Sacramento (1500 11th St., Rm 495) or Los Angeles (300 S. Spring St., Rm 12513) counters (bring ID, payment, cover sheet, and original POA).
- 5
Receive your apostille
CA SOS attaches a gold-foil apostille to the notary certificate and returns the document by your chosen method.
Country Use Matrix (common destinations)
| Destination | Typical Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spain / Italy / Portugal | Apostilled POA + certified translation | Often used for real-estate closings via proxy. |
| Mexico / Dominican Republic | Apostilled POA | Some notaries request apostille within 3–6 months of signing. |
| UAE / Singapore | Apostilled POA | Company/bank powers common; translation usually required. |
| France / Germany | Apostilled POA + sworn translation | Check local tribunal or notary requirements. |
Sample California Acknowledgment (copy-ready)
Processing Times, Fees & Addresses (summary)
| Item | Walk-In | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | $20 per apostille | $20 + $6 special handling per public official's signature |
| Timing | ~1–3 weeks (+ shipping) | Same/next business day (capacity dependent) |
| Where | USPS: P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001 | Sacramento: 1500 11th St., Rm 495 • Los Angeles: 300 S. Spring St., Rm 12513 |
| Tip | Include tracked return label | Arrive early; bring ID + cover sheet + payment |
Common Mistakes (and exact fixes)
❌ Wrong authority: sending a California-notarized POA to the U.S. Department of State.
→ Fix: CA-notarized POA is apostilled by California SOS, not by DoS.
❌ Incomplete notary block: missing venue/date/commission/expiry.
→ Fix: Ask the notary to re-issue a complete acknowledgment/jurat.
❌ Using a non-California notary: CA SOS will reject.
→ Fix: Re-execute with a California Notary Public.
❌ Wrong address type: courier sent to P.O. Box or USPS sent to courier address.
→ Fix: USPS → P.O. Box; carrier → 1500 11th St.
❌ Sending copies: plain photocopies are not apostillable.
→ Fix: Submit the original notarized POA (or a notary-certified copy created in CA, if allowed).
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Get My Personalized GuideFrequently asked questions
Do I have to notarize my POA before apostille?▼
Can I use online/remote notarization?▼
How long is an apostille 'valid'?▼
Should I translate before or after?▼
Can someone submit on my behalf?▼
Sources & Methodology
Official Sources
- California Secretary of State — Apostille Services
- California Department of Public Health — Vital Records
- Hague Conference on Private International Law
Our Process
- Daily verification against official state sources
- Expert review by certified document specialists
- Fee and processing time monitoring
Disclaimer: This information is general guidance and not legal advice. Always verify current information directly with the California Secretary of State before submitting your application.
Verification & Updates Log
Tracking content accuracy and improvements
- 2026-02-20Verified
Confirmed current fees ($20) and processing times (5-7 days) with CA SOS
- 2026-01-10Updated
Added information about LA office walk-in availability
- 2026-01-05Verified
Confirmed same-day service still available at Sacramento office
- 2025-12-25Improved
Added FAQ about photocopies vs original certified copies
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