One of the most common—and costly—questions we hear is:
“Do I need a notary, or do I need an apostille?”
It sounds simple, but getting this wrong can delay your documents by weeks, cost you hundreds of dollars, or cause a full rejection by a foreign authority.
At Seal of Approval Mobile Notary & Apostille Services in Sacramento, we help clients avoid these mistakes every single day.
The Simple Rule Most People Don’t Know
Here’s the clarity most people wish they had sooner:
- If your document will be used in the United States → you usually only need a notary
- If your document will be used outside the United States → you likely need an apostille
An Apostille is an international authentication issued by the California Secretary of State. Think of it like a passport stamp for your document—it proves that the notarization or certification is legitimate and recognized abroad.
Documents That Commonly Require a California Apostille
We regularly process apostilles for:
Private Documents
(these must be notarized correctly first)
- Powers of Attorney & Special Powers of Attorney
- Affidavits & sworn statements
- Single status affidavits
- Business and corporate documents
Vital Records
(these must be original or certified copies)
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce decrees
- Death certificates
Academic & Legal Documents
- Diplomas & transcripts
- Court orders & judgments
This is where many people run into trouble:
One missing notarial phrase, incorrect wording, or wrong document type can trigger a rejection at the Secretary of State.
Can You Mail It In Yourself?
Yes—you can mail your documents directly to the Secretary of State.
But here’s the Benjamin Franklin logic:
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Mail-in apostilles can take weeks, and if there’s an error, your documents come back unprocessed—forcing you to start over.
Using a professional apostille service often saves:
✔ Time
✔ Stress
✔ Re-notarization fees
✔ Missed international deadlines
Why Clients Choose Seal of Approval
✔ Same-day apostille processing once documents are received
✔ Mobile notary services available
✔ Downtown Sacramento office
✔ Certified & sworn translations by real human translators (USCIS-accepted)
✔ Service for Sacramento, out-of-state, and international clients
We don’t rush. We triple-check.
If there’s an issue, we communicate immediately and fix it—so our clients are never left guessing.
Certified & Sworn Translations—Done Right
Many apostille and immigration cases also require certified or sworn translations.
We provide:
- USCIS-compliant certified translations
- Sworn translations for international use
- Word-for-word accuracy
- Proper certification statements
No AI. No shortcuts. No rejections.
Start the Process the Easy Way
If you’re searching for:
- Notary near me in Sacramento
- California Apostille services
- Certified translation Sacramento
- Mobile notary & apostille expert
You’re in the right place.
📍 Downtown Sacramento
📞 Call today for a quote
💻 Schedule your appointment here
Seal with Confidence. Serve with Competence.