How to Get an Apostille in California for DAFT Visa
Getting an apostille in California is straightforward. The California Secretary of State processes apostilles for birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other state documents.
Processing Time: 5-10 business days Cost: $20 per document Methods: Mail or in-person
What You Need
Documents that need California apostille:
- Birth certificate (if born in California)
- Marriage certificate (if married in California)
- Other California state documents
FBI background check is apostilled by US Department of State, not California.
The Process
Step 1: Order certified copy of your document (birth certificate from California Department of Public Health, $31, 2-3 weeks).
Step 2: Mail to Secretary of State with $20 payment and return envelope, or go in person to Sacramento office.
Step 3: Wait 5-10 business days for processing.
Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $31 |
| Apostille | $20 |
| Return shipping | $10-15 |
| Total | $61-66 |
Timeline
Total time: 3-5 weeks
- Order certificate: 2-3 weeks
- Apostille: 5-10 business days
Start 2 months before you need it.
In-Person Option
1500 11th Street, Room 495, Sacramento, CA 95814 Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm Same-day service available, $20 per document
Contact
California Secretary of State
- Website: sos.ca.gov
- Phone: (916) 653-6814
- Email: apostille@sos.ca.gov
For general apostille information, see Apostille Process Explained.
Related Resources:
- Birth Certificate Apostille Guide - Complete birth certificate process
- DAFT Documents Checklist - All required documents
- Complete DAFT Guide - Full application walkthrough
Digital Guide — $199
We're not immigration lawyers—just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.