What an apostille is and why you need one
An apostille is an official stamp that certifies a document is genuine. It does not change your driver license itself — it is a separate certificate attached to it that says "yes, California issued this, and yes, the person who signed it was authorized to do so." You need one when you are using your California driver license outside the United States, usually for work, school, or legal matters in another country.
The apostille proves your document is real to foreign governments and organisations that do not have a direct way to check with California. It is a legal shortcut that saves them from having to contact the state themselves. Different countries require apostilles on different documents — some want them on driver licenses, some on birth certificates, some on both. Check with the organisation or country that asked for your license first, because you may not actually need one.
California issues apostilles through the Secretary of State's office. You cannot get one from the Department of Motor Vehicles, and you cannot get one from a notary public. The Secretary of State is the only body that can issue the official stamp.
Key Takeaways
- An apostille is a certificate from California's Secretary of State that confirms your driver license is genuine; it attaches to your license but does not change it.
- You must request the apostille from the Secretary of State's office, not from the DMV or a notary, and you need your original driver license or a certified copy to do so.
- You can request an apostille by mail, in person at the Sacramento office, or through an authorized document retrieval service, and processing takes roughly two to four weeks by mail.
- The Secretary of State charges a fee per apostille (the exact amount varies by year), and you pay when you submit your request.
How to request an apostille by mail
Mail is the most common route. You will send your original driver license (or a certified copy from the DMV) to the Secretary of State's office in Sacramento, along with a written request and payment. The office will attach the apostille to your license and mail everything back to you.
Start by getting a certified copy of your driver license from the DMV if you do not want to send your original. You can order this online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. A certified copy has the DMV's official stamp and counts as proof of the document for apostille purposes. This protects you if your original is lost in the mail.
Write a straightforward letter to the Secretary of State that says you are requesting an apostille for your driver license. Include your full name, driver license number, and the date of birth on your license. Say what you need the apostille for (work, school, immigration, etc.) — this helps the office process your request correctly. Mail your letter, your license or certified copy, and a check or money order to the Secretary of State's office. Do not send cash. Include a return address and ask them to send everything back to you by regular mail or certified mail.
The mailing address and current fee are on the Secretary of State's website under "Apostille Services." Check there before you send anything, because fees and procedures can change. Processing by mail usually takes two to four weeks, though it can be longer during busy periods.
Getting an apostille in person at the Sacramento office
If you live near Sacramento or can travel there, you can walk in with your driver license and request an apostille on the spot. The Secretary of State's office is located in downtown Sacramento at 1500 11th Street. You will need to bring your original license, a form of identification, and payment in cash or card.
Call ahead or check the website for current hours and any walk-in requirements, because some offices limit the number of people they see each day. If you go in person, you can often get your apostille the same day or within a few days, which is much faster than mail. Ask when you can pick it up, or whether they will mail it to you.
Using a document retrieval service
Some private companies are authorized by the Secretary of State to request apostilles on your behalf. You send them your driver license or certified copy, they submit it to the Secretary of State, and they mail the apostille back to you. This costs more than doing it yourself — you pay both the Secretary of State's fee and the service's fee — but it can be faster and saves you the trip to Sacramento.
Search online for "California apostille service" or "Secretary of State apostille retrieval" to find authorized companies. Check that they are listed on the Secretary of State's website as approved vendors before you send them your license. Read their fees and turnaround times carefully, because these vary widely.
What happens after you submit your request
The Secretary of State's office will attach an official apostille certificate to your driver license. The apostille is a separate page or stamp, not printed on the license itself. You will receive your license back with the apostille attached, and they usually come together in an envelope.
Keep the apostille with your license at all times when you are using it abroad. Some organisations want to see them together. If you lose the apostille, you will need to request a new one — the Secretary of State can issue duplicates if you still have your license or can get another certified copy.
The apostille does not expire, but your driver license does. When you renew your license, you will need to get a new apostille if you still need one for international use. The apostille is tied to the specific license document it is attached to, not to you as a person.
Costs and payment methods
The Secretary of State charges a fee for each apostille. The exact amount changes from year to year, so check the Secretary of State's website for the current price before you send your request. You can pay by check, money order, or card, depending on which method you use to submit (mail, in person, or through a service).
If you use a document retrieval service, you will pay that service's fee on top of the Secretary of State's fee. These service fees range widely — some charge $20 to $50 extra, others charge more. Compare a few services before you choose one, and make sure you understand what you are paying for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an apostille for a driver license that has expired?
Yes. The apostille certifies that California issued the license and that the person who signed it was authorized to do so — it does not matter whether the license itself is still valid. You can request an apostille for an expired license using the same process as a current one.
Do I have to send my original license, or can I send a copy?
You can send either your original license or a certified copy from the DMV. A certified copy is safer if you are worried about your original being lost in the mail. You can order a certified copy from the DMV online, by mail, or in person, and it has the same legal weight as the original for apostille purposes.
How long does it take to get an apostille?
By mail, expect two to four weeks, though it can be longer during busy periods. In person at the Sacramento office, you may get it the same day or within a few days. A document retrieval service's timeline depends on the company — check their website for their specific turnaround time before you use them.
What if the country I am moving to asks for an apostille on a different document?
Different countries and organisations require apostilles on different documents. If they ask for an apostille on your birth certificate, Social Security card, or court records instead of your driver license, you will need to request those separately from the appropriate agency. Check with the organisation that asked for the apostille to confirm exactly which document they need.
Can a notary public give me an apostille?
No. A notary can certify that a signature is genuine, but only the Secretary of State can issue an apostille. If someone offers to get you an apostille through a notary, they are not giving you a real apostille. You must go through the Secretary of State's office or an authorized document retrieval service.