Apostille for Affidavits
Many countries require affidavits to be authenticated before they can be used internationally. An apostille verifies the authenticity of the document so it can be legally accepted in countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention.
Our apostille service helps coordinate the authentication of affidavits signed and notarized in California and across the United States, for clients throughout Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, and the greater Bay Area.
When You Need an Apostille
Common situations include:
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International legal matters
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Immigration or visa applications
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Business and corporate transactions
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Property or financial matters abroad
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Power of attorney and authorization matters
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Personal declarations or legal statements
Which Affidavits Qualify
To receive an apostille, the affidavit must typically be:
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Properly signed by the person making the affidavit
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Notarized by a qualified U.S. notary public
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Properly authenticated when required by the state
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Free from alterations or damage
Unsigned, improperly notarized, or incomplete affidavits usually cannot be apostilled.
How the Process Works
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Submit your apostille request through our website.
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Send your documents to our office or schedule a pickup.
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We coordinate the apostille processing in person with the appropriate Secretary of State.
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Your documents are securely returned once processing is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does my affidavit need to be notarized before it can be apostilled?
Yes. Documents signed by an individual — including affidavits — generally must be notarized first by a qualified U.S. notary public. An affidavit that isn't properly notarized will be rejected at the Secretary of State counter.
2. Can you notarize and apostille my affidavit in the same appointment?
Yes, and this is the safest route. When we handle the notarization and the apostille filing together, the notarial wording is written correctly from the start, removing the risk of rejection.
3. What if my affidavit was already notarized somewhere else?
Send us a photo first so we can check the notarial wording before you submit it. Improper notarization is one of the most common reasons an affidavit is rejected during apostille processing.
4. How fast can an affidavit apostille be completed?
We offer same-day service for Bay Area clients (Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, and surrounding cities) along with priority, standard, and extended options depending on your deadline.