An Apostille is an official certificate issued by the California Secretary of State that authenticates the signature of a public official on a document for use in another country. If you are sending documents to a country that is a member of the 1961 Hague Convention, they will require this "gold seal" to be legally recognized.
We provide fast, professional California apostille processing in Pinole, Richmond, El Sobrante, Hercules, Berkeley, Oakland, and throughout the East Bay, CA. We handle document review, submission, and retrieval directly with the California Secretary of State to ensure accurate and timely processing.
We make regular in-person submissions to the California Secretary of State office in Sacramento to reduce processing delays and avoid common rejection issues.
For additional information, see the California Secretary of State FAQ.
Accuracy Check
We pre-screen every document to ensure it meets California Secretary of State requirements. For educational documents, we verify that the school official’s signature is in a format the state will accept, preventing costly rejections and delays.
We make regular in-person submissions to the California Secretary of State office in Sacramento, reducing processing delays and avoiding common rejection issues.
For urgent matters, including international travel and time-sensitive legal documents, same-day or expedited service may be available depending on document type and state processing capacity.
Documents We Frequently Process:
Vital Records: Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates. Must be an original certified copy issued by the County Clerk or State Registrar.
Educational Documents: Diplomas, Transcripts, and Enrollment Verifications from high schools, colleges, and universities.
Business Documents: Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Powers of Attorney for international commerce.
Legal Documents: Adoption papers, Affidavits, and Court Decrees.
Personal Documents: Copy Certifications, Background Checks (FBI/DOJ), and Travel Consent Forms.
School Certificates: We facilitate the authentication of specialized certifications, vocational diplomas, and graduation letters, ensuring they are properly notarized at the school level before submission for a California Apostille.
Documents that require notarization can be completed through our Mobile Notary service prior to apostille submission.
At Notary Of The Bay, we are committed to transparency, accuracy, and reliable service throughout the apostille process. Clients are kept informed at every stage with timely updates by phone or text.
We verify the authenticity of apostille certificates through the California Secretary of State’s official portal to ensure confidence and peace of mind.
For added convenience, hand delivery is available within our local service area. Domestic and international delivery is handled securely via FedEx, according to client agreement.
View pricing on our Services and Fees page
Need same-day apostille service in the East Bay? Call or Text (510) 672-8679 for immediate assistance.
Included Service: Notarization is included at no additional charge with every apostille service request, if required.
Local Pick-up: For your convenience, we offer secure document pickup in Pinole, El Sobrante, Richmond, Berkeley, Oakland, Hercules, and nearby East Bay cities.
Shipping: For clients outside our immediate service area, please contact us for our secure mailing address and detailed instructions for overnight shipping.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Bijaya is an exceptional notary professional - calm, kind, and incredibly reliable. We needed an important document notarized at the last minute for international travel, and he arrived early so we could begin immediately.
He informed us the document required an apostille and clearly explained the process. That same day, he personally drove to Sacramento and hand-delivered the completed apostille in time for our trip.
Everything was handled efficiently, transparently, and at a very reasonable price. If you need apostille service, I highly recommend Bijaya - he truly goes above and beyond.
How long does apostille processing take?
Processing time varies based on document type and state volume. Expedited options may be available.
Do my documents need to be notarized first?
Certain documents require notarization before submission. We review all documents in advance to prevent rejection.
Do you offer pickup or delivery?
Yes, local pickup and secure return delivery options are available.