Your Complete Guide to International Documents (and How to Avoid Costly Delays)
If you’re sending documents overseas—whether for a destination wedding, studying abroad, selling property, or handling a divorce decree—you’ve likely heard the terms notary, Apostille, and certified translation.
And if you’re confused, you’re not alone.
At Seal of Approval Mobile Notary & Apostille Services in Sacramento, we specialize in making this process simple, fast, and stress-free—so your documents are accepted the first time.
🌍 What Is an Apostille (In Simple Terms)?
Think of an Apostille like a passport stamp for your documents.
Just like your passport is stamped when you travel internationally, an apostille authenticates your document so another country will recognize it as official and legitimate.
Apostilles are issued by the California Secretary of State for California documents and are required for countries that are part of the Hague Convention.
📄 What Documents Commonly Need an Apostille?
Here are the most common documents we apostille for clients in Sacramento and worldwide:
Vital Records (Must Be Certified Copies)
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Death certificates
- Divorce decrees
Private & Legal Documents (Must Be Notarized First)
- Power of Attorney (General or Special)
- Single Status Affidavits
- Affidavits and declarations
- Business documents
- School transcripts and diplomas
- Adoption paperwork
👉 If it’s going overseas, there’s a high chance it needs an apostille.
✍️ What Is a Notary and Why Is It Important?
A notary public verifies identity, witnesses signatures, and ensures documents are signed correctly.
If a document is notarized improperly—even a missing word like “Notary Public” or incorrect wording—it can be rejected by the Secretary of State, causing delays, extra costs, and stress.
That’s why we triple-check every document before apostille processing.
🌐 What Are Certified & Sworn Translations?
If your document is in a foreign language, it often must be translated into English (or vice versa).
Certified translations include a signed certificate of accuracy.
Sworn translations are required in some countries and legal systems.
💡 We use real professional human translators (not AI) and provide USCIS-compliant certified translations—so your documents are accepted without issues.
⏱️ How Long Does an Apostille Take?
By Mail:
- 2–6+ weeks (sometimes longer)
With Seal of Approval Mobile Notary & Apostille:
- Same-day processing available once we receive your documents
We personally walk documents into the Secretary of State to avoid delays and errors.
💰 How Much Does an Apostille Cost?
Costs depend on:
- Number of documents
- State fees
- Notarization needs
- Shipping (domestic or international)
- Expedited service level
We offer transparent, upfront pricing with no surprises.
🏆 Why Clients Choose Seal of Approval in Sacramento
✔ Downtown Sacramento office + mobile notary
✔ Same-day California apostille processing
✔ Nationwide and international apostille support
✔ Certified & sworn translations
✔ Real-time communication and tracking
✔ High success rate with Secretary of State approvals
✔ Trusted by clients worldwide (Spain, Italy, Philippines, Mexico, India, and more)
We don’t just process documents—we protect your time, money, and peace of mind.
📍 Serving Sacramento & Beyond
We proudly serve:
- Downtown Sacramento
- Natomas
- West Sacramento
- Elk Grove
- Roseville
- Folsom
- And clients nationwide and internationally
✅ Ready to Get Started?
Whether you need a notary near you, a California apostille, or certified translations, we make the process easy and fast.
👉 Schedule your appointment here
or
📞 Call/Text us today for a same-day consultation at 916-800-3970.
Seal with Confidence. Serve with Competence.