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Apostille Services

Expedited California Apostille Services

Providing Document Authentication And Legalization Services In All 50 States. Apostille, U.S. Department of State Authentication, Foreign Embassy Legalization

We take the complicated workflow of authentication and make it easy for you. We offer the “Rush Service” as a solution to safeguard your critical records and important documents.

Offering local pickup and delivery.
Experienced at the entire Apostille process.
Expedited and RUSH services available
Mobile Notary & Copy Certification services available.
Domestic and International Shipping available.

APOSTILLE FEES

Standard Apostille Service

Personal & Corporate Documents
30 business days
Additional documents $99
Documents mailed to BWMN
Hand carried to S.O.S.
FedEx Domestic Shipping & International Additional Fee

Rush Apostille Service Popular Choice

Door to Door Service So. California Counties

Personal & Corporate Documents
Same day service
Additional documents $99
Documents picked Up by BWMN
Hand carried to S.O.S.
Free Onsite Notarizations
No Lost Documents – Door to Door Local Delivery

Expedited Service

2nd Most Popular Choice

Personal & Corporate Documents
7-10 business days
Additional documents $99
Documents mailed to BWMN
Hand carry to S.O.S.
FedEx Domestic Shipping & International Additional Fees

Your Complete Solution for California Apostilles, U.S. Department of State Authentications, or Foreign Embassy Legalization requests

Have you ever encountered the need for document authentication from the Secretary of State to ensure its acceptance abroad? If you have, B. Williams Mobile Notary & Apostille is here to assist you. We provide comprehensive end-to-end solutions, including fast California Apostille Certifications and U.S. Department of State Authentications and Embassy Legalizations. Our services cover the surrounding cities of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, among others!

The authentication process can be quite complex and confusing. In most cases, you'll be required to obtain an original or certified copy of the document that needs apostilling. Once you have the document, we'll handle the delivery to the appropriate office of authentications, such as the California Secretary of State or the U.S. Dept of State, for the apostille process. You can count on us to guide you through the entire procedure!

The apostille process poses a significant challenge due to the various document certification types and the country where the document will be presented; each requires a particular type of certificate. Additionally, each government agency has specific guidelines and requirements that must be met before a certified document becomes valid for apostille or authentication. But fret not, as B. Williams Mobile Notary & Apostille offers a commitment-free document review process to ensure your documents meet all the requirements for Apostille or Legalization.

Once we review your documents, we will prepare, file, and obtain an apostille certification on your behalf. All you need to do is send us your original documents, pay for the services, and we'll handle the rest. Trust us to navigate the complexities so you can have peace of mind regarding your authenticated documents!

Why is B. Williams Mobile Notary & Apostille your best choice?

Our California company is in good standing and knows the California Secretary of State's
procedures for processing apostilles, which allows us to provide quality one-on-one
customer service.
We specialize in California apostilles and documents requiring U.S. Department of State authentication and embassy legalization.
Our fee structure is fair and affordable.
We offer a pre-screening review of your documents for common mistakes before you pay, which saves you time and money and virtually eliminates the possibility of document rejection.
Commissioned Notary Public and have operated our business since 2006.
Google 5-star Excellence rating; we do fantastic work.
We follow the California Secretary of State's code of ethics and conduct business ethically,
honestly & in full compliance with the law.
We are accessible directly by telephone and email.

What Types of Documents Can We Process for a Fast California Apostille?

Corporate Documents

Power of Attorney
Affidavits
Secretary Certificates
California Articles of Incorporation
California Certificate of Formation
California Certificate of Good Standing
California LLC or Corporate Certificate of Status

LLC Articles of Organization
Certificates of Origin
Hiring Documents
Company Invoices
Identity Documents of Corporate Executives (Passport, Driver's License, Identification)
ISO Certificate
Other Business Documents

Personal Documents

Social Security Benefit Verification Letters
Documents for Destination Weddings
Teaching Certificates (Educator Certificates)
Final Judgements
Passport Copies
Driver License Copies
State Background Checks
FBI Criminal Background Checks
Divorce Decrees
Affidavit of Single Status
Adoption Documents

Marriage Certificate/License
California Birth Certificates
California Death Certificates
Wills
Naturalization Certificate
Car Titles
Authorization Letter
Bank Statements
Consent to Travel
Official Records
Other Personal Documents

Academic Documents

School Transcripts and Diplomas for California Public Schools
School Transcripts and Diplomas for California Private Schools
College Diplomas and Certificates
GED
High School Records
Report Cards
Teaching Certificate
Other School Records

Estimated Turnaround Times

The apostille workload at the Secretary of State has increased significantly. Unfortunately, this is causing longer-than-usual turnaround times. We offer three service levels customized to fit your needs.

For a non-expedited apostille order, you should expect a delay of 30+ calendar days. We offer a Priority RUSH service with a 1-3 business days turnaround time and an Expedited service that averages 7– 10 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

California Apostilles and U.S. Department of State Authentications

How do I pay for your services?

We will email you an invoice that can be paid with a credit/debit card.

What is a California Apostille?

An apostille, simply put, is a cover page. This cover page serves as the authentication by the California Secretary of State of the seals and signatures on a document intended for use in a foreign country. The California Secretary of State will only apostille the following types of documents:

Original paper documents notarized by a California notary public. The document must have an original wet signature and notarial stamp
Certified and/or recordable documents issued by the State of California or California county governments. Examples: California birth and death certificates, articles of incorporation, certificates of status, corporate and LLC articles or annual reports, divorce decrees, single status affidavits, etc.

How do you pronounce "apostille," and what does it mean?

It is pronounced, "Ahh Poh Steel. "It is a French word that translates to "Certification."

What is the difference between "Hague" and "Non-Hague" countries?

Countries participating in the 1961 Hague Convention have agreed to accept an apostille cover sheet as the only authentication required for a document to be used in their country. The Secretary of State issues the apostille in the State of the document's origination.

Can you help with authentications for "Non-Hague" countries?

Yes. Instead of the simplified "one-step" apostille process for Hague countries, you will typically require a 4-step process to authenticate your documents:

The document must be properly notarized;
Authentication by the Secretary of State;
Authentication by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC; and
Legalized at the embassy/consulate of the destination country.

Unfortunately, there is no way to expedite or rush a U.S. Department of State authentication. As of October 2022, the average turnaround time is 6-8 weeks.

Can I apostille a document for use in the United States?

No, an apostille is only for a document intended for use in a foreign country.

What if I have a federal document, like an FBI Background Check?

Federal documents such as FBI background checks cannot be apostilled by the California Secretary of State office. Instead, we process them with the United States Department of State in Washington, DC.

My document is in a foreign language. Does it need to be translated before being sent for an apostille?

No – The California Secretary of State will issue an apostille for documents in a language other than English, but the notarization language must be in English. However, your intended recipient in a foreign country may require that a certified translation of the document be attached. In some cases, they want the notarized affidavit of translation also to have an apostille. Please check with requesting authority to be sure your documents will be accepted.

My documents are not notarized. Can you help?

Yes. We are a mobile notary service and can notarize your documents for you. If you are located outside of California, we have a network of notary publics we can refer you to, and in some states, remote online notary services are available.

How do you get the California apostille certifications so fast?

We physically deliver your documents to the California Secretary of State's office in Los Angeles and present them to the Secretary of State. After the apostille is issued, we deliver the authenticated documents to you or your chosen destination. We can send your apostilles to you in the U.S. or anywhere else. If your documents require further authentication with the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC, we can assist with that too. We can also process the legalization of your documents with foreign consulates and embassies, i.e., China, Hong Kong, UAE, etc.

Do you offer RUSH/Same-day service?

Great news! The Los Angeles Secretary of State office has re-introduced same-day processing service. For those in need of RUSH services, if your documents are received before noon, they may qualify for the same-day service. This means faster and more convenient processing of your essential paperwork. Take advantage of this opportunity to get your documents processed quickly and efficiently.

How will I receive my documents once the apostille is completed? Can you ship internationally to save me some time?

Yes, we will ship your California apostille documents back to you in the United States or almost anywhere. We use FedEx, DHL and USPS.

Which courier service should I use for return shipping?

You are welcome to use your prepaid shipping label. If you would like us to handle your shipping, we will include the cost of FedEx on your invoice and provide you with a tracking number.

For domestic return shipping, we use FedEx Standard Overnight for expedited orders and FedEx 2-day for standard orders.

What if my documents are not notarized in California, can I still get a California apostille?

Unfortunately, no. Each Apostille document must be processed in the State it originated from. If you need a California Apostille for notarized documents, the notarization must be from a California Notary Public. Apostille services are available in all 50 states. Each Apostille document must be processed in the State it originated from.

If I have certified copies of birth certificates (or death certificates), they should be good to go for apostille, right?

Maybe. For birth and death certificates, the California Secretary of State can issue an Apostille for the signatures of:

county clerks and their deputies,
county recorders and their deputies, and
the State Registrar (California Department of Public Health).

If your birth or death certificate was issued by a city- or county-level agency and, has the signature of a Health Officer or County Registrar (e.g. Local Registrar, Registrar of Vital Records), prior to presenting it to our office for authentication, one of the following will be required:

have that birth or death certificate certified by the county clerk's office in the county in which it was issued,
or obtain a certified copy of that birth or death certificate from the county recorder or the State of California Department of Public Health.

The signature, name, and title of the public official can be found at the bottom of a birth or death certificate. If you need to order updated vital records, you can visit your local health department or order online at

VitalCheck.

Destination Weddings: I have been told that I need my birth certificate, passport, and something called a "Single Status Certificate" apostille for my destination wedding. Can you help with this?

Yes! It's our most popular request, and we're happy to help. You don't need that kind of stress while you're planning your destination wedding! Please call us to discuss your destination wedding date to ensure we can meet the deadline for your special day.

I am planning to teach abroad, and I need an apostille for my teaching certificate, college diplomas, and school transcripts. Can you help?

Yes, please contact us to review your documents. The California Secretary of State has some extremely tricky rules regarding these documents. Procedures vary between public and private schools. Fortunately for you, we are experts at this, and we will be happy to guide you.

Can I un-staple the apostille cover sheet from the original document and attach it to a copy?

No. Actually, it is unlawful for you ever to remove the staple. Once an apostille cover sheet is stapled to a document, it is intended to stay there forever. Some foreign authorities carefully inspect the documents for double staple holes. If they are found, your document may be rejected.

Does an apostille cover sheet expire?

No. However, foreign countries have rejected a document because they deem the apostille too old. It is always best to use your apostille or check with your foreign authorities as soon as possible.

Our mobile notaries specialize in providing personalized and professional notary services to individuals and businesses throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties.