What This Form Is (and When You Need It)
The Apostille Mail Request Cover Sheet is California's official form for mail-in apostille submissions. It tells the Secretary of State's office:
- Who you are and where to send your documents back
- How many documents you're submitting
- What type of authentication you need (Apostille vs. Certificate)
- Your payment amount
Walk-In Service: Walk-in requests in Sacramento and Los Angeles use separate in-person cover sheets.
For the complete California apostille process (what documents are accepted, county clerk requirements, and timelines), see the California Apostille Guide.
The California Pre-Step: County Clerk Authentication
⚠️ CRITICAL — Don't Skip This:
Many California vital records (Birth, Death, Marriage) are signed by a Local Registrar or Health Officer. If yours is, you must get County Clerk authentication first before sending to the Secretary of State.
How to check: Look at who signed your document. If it says "County Clerk," "County Recorder," or "State Registrar" — you're fine. If it says "Local Registrar" or "Health Officer" — you need County Clerk authentication first.
Fill Out the Cover Sheet (Step-by-Step)
Step 1 — Your Contact Information
Fill in the return-to information:
- Full name (or company name)
- Complete mailing address
- Phone number
- Email (optional but recommended)
Step 2 — Type of Authentication
Select:
- Apostille — For Hague Convention countries (most common)
- Certificate of Authentication — For non-Hague countries
Not sure? If the receiving country is in the Hague Convention (most of Europe, South America, Asia), choose Apostille. For non-member countries like the UAE, choose Certificate of Authentication.
Step 3 — Document Count + Fee Calculation
Count your documents and calculate:
Examples: 1 doc → $20 | 2 docs → $40 | 3 docs → $60
Step 4 — Payment Method
California accepts:
- Check or money order payable to "Secretary of State"
- Credit card (fill out the authorization section on the form)
No cash for mail-in requests.
What to Include in Your Mailing Package
California Mailing Checklist:
- Your documents — Certified copies (with County Clerk auth if needed)
- Completed Cover Sheet — Optional; your own cover letter also works
- Payment — Check/money order or credit card authorization
- Self-addressed stamped envelope — For return delivery
Expedited return? Include a prepaid FedEx/UPS label if you want faster return shipping.
Common Rejection Reasons (California-Specific)
- Health Officer Signature — Vital record signed by Local Registrar/Health Officer without County Clerk authentication
- No Embossed Seal — Document missing the raised/embossed seal
- Stamped Signature — Facsimile/stamped signature instead of original wet signature
- Photocopies — Sent a photocopy instead of certified original
- Wrong Payment — Check not made payable to "Secretary of State"
Where to Mail Your Request
Notary Public Section
P.O. Box 942877
Sacramento, CA 94277-0001
Walk-In Locations
Sacramento
1500 11th Street, 2nd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Los Angeles
300 South Spring Street, Room 12513
Los Angeles, CA
90013
Walk-in hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST. Same-day service typically available.