# FAQs: Attesting Canadian Documents > Frequently asked questions about authenticating documents and obtaining Apostille Stamps in #STATE3# - vital records, divorce judgements, certificates of good standing and degrees issued by #STATE3# universities. **Source** [FAQs - Authenticating California documents](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/california-apostille-faqs)> **Related:** [California Apostille Service](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/california-apostille-authentication) · [Apostille California Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/california-apostille-vital-records) · [Apostille California University and School Diplomas](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/california-apostille-school-records) · [Get a Quotation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry) --- ## General Questions ### How long does it take to obtain an apostille from California? Isarey submit all California certificates needing a Hague Apostille personally to the Office of the Secretary of State in Sacramento. Apostilles are normally process in **1 business day** (CALIFORNIA: Isarey submit documents for California Apostilles and Authentications in person to the office of the Secretary of State in Sacramento. Normally, apostilles are obtained the same-day, but this does depend on the availability of the same-day service from the Seceretary of State. California birth and death certificates requiring additonal county clerk certification will take an additional 5-10 workign days, depending on the county. NOTE: All processing times are estimated. Actual processing time is dependant on the authentication authority and is subject to change without prior notice.) Documents requiring submission to a non-apostille country will then require legalization by the U.S. Department of State in Washington DC and attestation at the embassy of the destination country. ### How can I verify the authenticity of California apostilles? California apostille stamps issued from 2017 onwards can be verified online. See: [Verification of Authentication Certificate (Apostille)](https://apostille-search.sos.ca.gov/) ### What documents can be certified in California with an Apostille Stamp? Documents signed by officials and notaries public can be certified in for official use outside the United States, including vital record certificates (e.g. birth, death, marriage certificates), state police background checks, educational certificates, university diplomas and notarized private documents (e.g. power of attorney). Documents signed by Federal officials including [FBI Background Checks](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/-attest-background-checks) must be submitted directly to the Authentication Division of the U.S. Department of State.To confirm whether your document is valid for an Apostille Stamp, please [Contact Isarey](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/contact-Isarey) for a free document check. ### Will an apostille stamp from California be accepted abroad? If documents are required for submission to the authorities or consulate of a signatory country of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention), an apostille stamp affixed by the Secretary of State of will generally be recognized directly as confirming authenticity, although a [certified translation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/certified-sworn-translations) may also be required if presenting to a country that does not have English as an official language. If documents are required for presentation in a country that is not a signatory to the apostille convention (e.g. UAE, Qatar, Taiwan, Vietnam), then an apostille stamp is not valid. Documents will need to be authenticated at State level in , then by the State Department Authentication Division, and finally by the embassy or consulate of the destination country in the United States. A Certified Translation may also be required. ### Where can I find more information about certifying California documents? For further information about apostilles and authentications or to obtain a quote for assistance submitting your documents, with free eligibility pre-check, international collection and delivery by courier, please [Contact Isarey](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/contact-Isarey) or send Isarey your documents using Isarey's [Online Quotation Form](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry). ### What is a California Apostille Stamp and why would I need one? A Apostille is a certificate that is affixed by the Secretary of State to a public document. It certifies the authenticity of the signature appearing on the document as that of an authorized public official and confirms the capacity of that official (e.g. State Registrar, notary public). Apostille stamps are often required when submitting a document, such as a birth certificate, to the authorities of a foreign country or to a foreign embassy in the United States (for example, as part of a visa or citizenship application). Apostilles are recognised by the authorities and embassies of countries that are members of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) For more information on Apostilles, see: - [The ABCs of Apostilles (PDF)](https://assets.hcch.net/upload/abc12e.pdf) - [California Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/california-apostille-authentication) ### Where can I see reviews of Isarey's California Attestation and Apostille Services? You can see reviews from past clients who have used Isarey's attestation and apostille services: - [ISAREY reviews on Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/isarey-document-attestation.com) - [ISAREY reviews on Google](https://goo.gl/maps/cuvbEYN25Xg5b8jg7) ### How can I obtain an Apostille Stamp to certify a document in California for use abroad? Apostille Stamps to authenticate documents can be obtained from the Secretary of State. Apostille stamps are only valid for documents that are required for submission to countries that are signatories to the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) - [California Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/california-apostille-authentication) ### How do I legalize documents issued in California for submission to countries that are not members of the Apostille Convention? documents that need to be authenticated for non-apostille countries (e.g. United Arab Emirates, Qatar) must be authenticated by the Secretary of State with an Authentication Certificate and then attested by the recipient country's embassy in the United States. Most embassies will also require an additional authentication the [U.S. Department of State](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/replace-certify-docs/authenticate-your-document/office-of-authentications.html) in Washington DC. - [California Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/california-apostille-authentication) ### What does a California Apostille look like? Apostilles follow the standard format laid down in the Apostille Convention. Some examples of documents certified with Apostille stamps: - [California birth certificate with Apostille Stamp](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/California-birth-certificate-with-Apostille-Stamp) - [California Divorce Certificate with Apostille Stamp](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/California-Divorce-Certificate-with-Apostille-Stamp) - [California marriage certificate with Apostille](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/California-marriage-certificate-Apostille) - [California Certificate of Status with Apostille Stamp](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/California-Certificate-Status-Apostille) - [California University Diploma with Apostille](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/California-University-Diploma-Apostille) See [What does an Apostille look like?](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/FAQs-Document-Attestation#faq_236_s) ## Birth, death and marriage certificates ### How can I obtain a new certified copy of a California birth, death or marriage certificate suitable for an Apostille? The easiest way to obtain a new certified copy of a California birth, death or marriage certificate is online via VitalChek. Alternatively, applications for new certificates may be mailed in to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH is not able to provide certified copies of marriage certificates for the years 2000-2007 or 2023) or made directly to the County Clerk's Office in the County where the event took place. - [California Department of Public Health](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records.aspx) - [California County Recorders](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/County-Registrars-and-Recorders.aspx) - [Vital Records Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - CDPH](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records-Frequently-Asked-Questions-(FAQs).aspx) - [VitalChek (California vital records online)](https://www.vitalchek.com/v/vital-records/california/california-vital-statistics) - [Apostille California Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/california-apostille-vital-records) ### How can I obtain an apostille on a vital record certificate issued in California? Apostille stamps for birth, death and marriage certificates issued in California can be obtained from the California Secretary of State in Sacramento or Los Angeles. To be eligible for an apostille, birth and death certificates must be signed by a country clerk (or deputy), a county recorder (or deputy) or the State Registrar. Birth or death certificates signed by a Health Officer or County Registrar (e.g. Local Registrar, Registrar of Vital Records) must be certified by the county clerk’s office in the county in which it was issued. Certified copies of birth and death certificates can also be obtained from: - [California Department of Public Health](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records.aspx) - [California County Recorders](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/County-Registrars-and-Recorders.aspx) - For further information, see: [Apostille California Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/california-apostille-vital-records) ## Criminal record certificates ### How can I obtain an apostille on a background check from California? Apostilles on California Background Checks can be obtained from the California Department of Justice. See: [County Fingerprint Background Checks](https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints) Note, however, that many countries will require an FBI background check as evidence of a lack of criminal record for immigration or visa purposes, see: [FBI Background Checks](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/-attest-background-checks) ## Academic documents ### How can I authenticate California university degree certificates for use abroad? Original California university and high school diplomas can be authenticated by notarizing the signature of the school or university official in California. The notary's signature can then authenticated with an Apostille from the California Secretary of State in Sacramento. For further information, see: [Apostille STATE University Diplomas](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/california-apostille-school-records) university degree certificates, course transcripts and high school diplomas can also be authenticated as notarized copies. A true copy is certified by a notary (this can often be done from a scan without having to submit the original) and then authenticated with an Apostille Stamp from the Washington DC Secretary of State. Authenticated documents can also be attested by the embassies of Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates. For further information, see: [University Degrees and School Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/United-States-apostille-academic-documents) ## Notarized documents ### Can California Apostilles be obtained on documents not written in English? As long as the notary's certification of the documents is written in English, then the rest of the document can be in any other language and an apostille obtained. However, where original documents need to be translated, because they are required for submission to a country which does not have English as an official language, it is often more appropriate to obtain a certified translation after the original document is certified by apostille. Note that translations certified n the United States are not necessarily valid for use abroad and that certifying a translation does not certify the validity of the original document. Please [Contact Isarey](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/contact-Isarey) for advice on how to proceed.