If you were born anywhere in Los Angeles County, from the San Fernando Valley to Pomona, Pasadena, or Long Beach, your birth certificate can be apostilled by the California Secretary of State for use in another country. Getting the right copy is the step that trips people up.
Want us to handle the Los Angeles apostille for you?
We notarize your sworn statement, help you order the right copy, and submit it for the apostille. Apostille service starts at $225 within 20 miles of Upland, $250 up to 35 miles.
Step 1: Order a certified copy from the county or the state
The Secretary of State apostilles birth certificates signed by a county recorder or county clerk (or their deputy), or by the State Registrar at the California Department of Public Health. For births in Los Angeles County, order a certified copy from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk or from the California Department of Public Health.
Copies signed only by a hospital or a city or county health officer usually will not work on their own. And an “informational” copy will not work at all, because it cannot be used to establish identity.
Step 2: Get your sworn statement notarized for a mail order
California requires a sworn statement to order an authorized certified copy. If you order by mail, that statement must be signed in front of a notary. We come to you anywhere in Los Angeles County, check your ID, and notarize it so your order is not rejected.
You can also order in person at the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk headquarters in Norwalk or one of its district offices. Check the county’s website for current locations, hours, and fees before you go.
Step 3: Submit for the apostille
Send or bring the certified copy to the California Secretary of State, which has offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles. The state charges $20 per apostille, plus a $6 special handling fee for in-person requests.
Common mistakes
- Ordering an informational copy
- Sending a hospital or health officer copy instead of a county recorder or state copy
- Using an old copy when the receiving country wants a recently issued one. Ask the consulate first.
- Ordering from the wrong county. If you were born in San Bernardino County, see our San Bernardino County guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Los Angeles County birth certificate be apostilled?
Yes. A certified copy from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk or the California Department of Public Health can be apostilled by the California Secretary of State.
Where can I apostille a birth certificate in Los Angeles?
The California Secretary of State issues apostilles and has an office in Los Angeles as well as Sacramento. We can handle the submission for you.
Does the birth certificate need to be notarized?
No. For mail orders, the sworn statement on your application is notarized, not the birth certificate itself.
How much does it cost?
The Secretary of State charges $20 per apostille. Our full apostille service starts at $225 within 20 miles of Upland.
Last updated November 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. Fees and county procedures can change, so confirm current details with the county and the Secretary of State. Wet Ink Notary LLC is not a law firm. Brent Hernandez, California Notary Public #2446864 and Registered Process Server #2006 (San Bernardino County).