A lot of people ask this when they need documents for another country: Can any notary do an apostille?
The simple answer is no.
A notary public and an apostille are not the same thing. A notary may be able to notarize your document, but the apostille itself is issued by the proper government authority. In California, that authority is the California Secretary of State.
That is where many people get confused. They visit a local notary, get a stamp, and assume the document is ready for international use. In many cases, it is not ready yet.
What a Notary Does
A notary public verifies identity, witnesses signatures, and completes the notarial certificate when needed. That step can be important for documents like:
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powers of attorney
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affidavits
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consent letters
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copies of certain business documents
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sworn statements
But a notary does not issue the apostille. The apostille is a separate certificate used to authenticate the signature of a public official on a document for use in another country.
Who Actually Issues the Apostille?
In California, the California Secretary of State issues apostilles. The Secretary of State also oversees notary commissions and authenticates the signatures of California public officials and notaries public.
So if you are asking, “Can any notary do an apostille?” the correct answer is:
No. A notary can notarize a document if notarization is needed, but only the California Secretary of State can issue the apostille in California.
Why People Mix This Up
The confusion usually happens because some documents need both steps:
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Notarization
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Apostille
For example, if you are sending a power of attorney overseas, you may first need to sign it before a California notary. After that, the notarized document can be submitted to the California Secretary of State for the apostille.
That does not mean the notary performed the apostille. It means the notary handled the first step, and the state handles the second.
Do All Documents Need To Be Notarized Before Getting an Apostille?
No. Some documents do, and some do not.
That is another reason people run into delays. They assume every document should be notarized first, but that is not always correct.
For example, California birth and death certificates usually need to bear the signature of the proper public official, such as a county clerk, county recorder, or the State Registrar. In some cases, a city- or county-issued vital record may need certification through the county clerk or a certified copy from the county recorder or California Department of Public Health before it can be apostilled.
So the right process depends on the type of document.
Common Documents That May Need an Apostille
People often request apostilles for documents such as:
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marriage certificates
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death certificates
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powers of attorney
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FBI background checks
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diplomas and transcripts
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single status affidavits
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business documents
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adoption paperwork
If the receiving country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is generally the certificate used for that document. If the country is not part of that convention, a different authentication process may apply.
When a Local Notary Is Not Enough
A local notary may be helpful for signing the document, but that does not guarantee the document is ready for apostille processing.
Problems often happen when:
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the wrong document was notarized
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the notarial wording is incomplete
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the document needed a certified copy instead of notarization
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the document is intended for a country that needs a different authentication process
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the document is submitted without the required request information
California’s Secretary of State requires an apostille request process, including details such as the country where the document will be used, and offers both mail and in-person submission options.
So, Can Any Notary Do an Apostille?
Again, no.
A notary can help with the notarization step when needed. But the apostille itself comes from the state authority. In California, that is the California Secretary of State.
If you skip the correct process, your documents can be delayed, rejected, or returned.
The Easier Way To Handle It
If you are not sure whether your document needs notarization, a certified copy, or direct apostille submission, it helps to work with a professional apostille service.
Apostille Office helps clients understand:
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whether the document is eligible
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whether notarization is needed first
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whether a certified copy is required
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how to avoid delays and rejections
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how to move the document through the apostille process correctly
That can save time, especially when documents are needed for dual citizenship, marriage abroad, international business, school enrollment, or family matters overseas.
Final Answer
Can any notary do an apostille? No.
A notary public can notarize certain documents, but the apostille is issued by the California Secretary of State, not by the notary.
If you are unsure what your document needs, Apostille Office can help you figure out the right path before you waste time on the wrong one.
FAQ Section
Can a UPS notary do an apostille?
No. A UPS notary or any local notary may be able to notarize your document, but they do not issue the apostille. In California, the apostille is issued by the Secretary of State.
Do I need notarization before an apostille?
Sometimes. It depends on the document. Some documents need notarization first, while others need a certified copy or another type of official signature.
What is the difference between notarization and an apostille?
Notarization confirms the identity of the signer and the signing act. An apostille authenticates the signature of the public official on the document for international use.
Who issues apostilles in California?
The California Secretary of State.
