An apostille is an official certification that verifies a document for international use. Apostilles are issued by a government authority to confirm that a document is authentic and can be accepted in another country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. In California, apostilles are issued by the California Secretary of State, while federal apostilles for FBI background checks are issued by the U.S. Department of State.

Many documents require an apostille when they are used outside the United States. Common documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, powers of attorney, corporate documents, diplomas, transcripts, and FBI background checks. Apostille certification confirms that the document is authentic so it can be legally accepted in another country.

Apostille processing time depends on the type of document and the government office involved. California apostilles issued by the Secretary of State may take several business days. Federal apostilles for FBI background checks processed through the U.S. Department of State may take longer. Express courier service and expedited processing options may reduce the overall turnaround time.

Yes. If an FBI background check will be used outside the United States, it typically requires a federal apostille. The apostille confirms that the document issued by the U.S. Department of Justice is authentic and can be accepted by authorities in another country. FBI apostilles are commonly required for immigration, employment abroad, residency permits, and dual citizenship applications.

Apostille service costs depend on the type of document, the government fees, and shipping or courier requirements. California apostille services and federal apostille processing for FBI background checks have different fees. Additional costs may include notary certification, courier delivery, and FedEx shipping for returning documents domestically or internationally.

Yes. Apostille services are available for clients in San Diego County including Carlsbad, Encinitas, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, Oceanside, and nearby cities. Documents can be submitted by appointment at the Carlsbad office or sent by courier or mail from anywhere in the United States for apostille processing.

Notary Express San Diego offers a comprehensive range of notarial services, covering documents for both domestic and international use, including those in foreign languages or bilingual formats. Below is a breakdown of the types of documents we commonly notarize:

Educational Documents

• Academic Certificates
• Diplomas/Degrees
• Transcripts
• School Verification Letters
  (Note: All higher education documents must be issued from regionally accredited U.S. colleges or universities.)

Personal Documents

• Birth/Death Certificates
• Marriage/Divorce Certificates
• Certificate of Single Status
• Local/State Police Background Checks
• Personal Power of Attorney
• Certified Translations
• Copies of Passports (Identification Page)
• Copies of Driver Licenses

Business, Corporate & Legal Documents

• General Power of Attorney
• Resolutions
• Distribution/Agency Agreements
• Articles of Incorporation/Registration
• Appointment of Distributors
• Authorization of Agents
• Assignments
• Board Resolutions
• Certificates of Incorporation
• By-Laws
• U.S. Patent Applications
• Trademark Applications
• Certificates of Good Standing
• Free Sale Certificates/Export Permits
• Price Lists
• Financial Statements

No matter the document type, Notary Express San Diego is equipped to handle your notarization needs efficiently and professionally. If you have a document not listed here, please feel free to contact us to discuss how we can assist you.

International Notarization Made Easy

Our expertise extends to documents intended for use in other countries, offering a streamlined process for international clients. We ensure that all documents meet the specific requirements for notarization, even if they are in foreign languages or bilingual formats.

Ready to get started? Book your appointment here or contact us for more information!

Yes. Completed apostille documents can be securely shipped worldwide using international courier services such as FedEx. International shipping allows clients outside the United States to receive their apostille-certified documents quickly and safely with tracking available.