Customer Alert: Update as of February 8, 2023

As a result of widespread transmission of COVID-19 and the direction of the California Department of Public Health and CalHR, the Secretary of State continues to make every attempt to ensure the safety of our customers and employees while continuing to offer essential services to the public.

Sacramento Office:
Document pickup resumed for the Sacramento office on March 1, 2021. Documents may be dropped off Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m in the designated drop box located in the first floor lobby. Customers will be notified when their documents are ready for pickup. Daily pickup will continue in the Sacramento lobby from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Drop off requests are typically processed within five to seven business days. Additional processing time may be required if a public official's signature is not currently on file. As a result of lobby pickup resuming, all documents dropped off in the Sacramento lobby will require the $6.00 special handling fee. Return service via mail in Sacramento will continue as normal.

Los Angeles:
Document pickup began for the Los Angeles office on January 3, 2023. Documents may be dropped off Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m in the designated drop box located on the 12th floor. Customers will be notified when their documents are ready for pickup. Daily pickup occurs in the Los Angeles office from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Drop off requests are typically processed within five to seven business days. Additional processing time may be required if a public official's signature is not currently on file. All documents dropped off at the Los Angeles office require the $6.00 special handling fee. Return service via mail in Los Angeles will continue as normal.

Notary Public & Apostille

The Secretary of State is responsible for overseeing notary commissions within the State, as well as authenticating the signatures of California public officials and notaries public. The Secretary of State grants four-year notary public commissions to qualified persons, approves notary public education courses, authorizes notary seal manufacturers, investigates violations of notary public law and takes disciplinary action, and issues apostilles.

For current Notary and Apostille processing dates please visit the Notary Public and Apostille Processing Times web page. 

Notary Public
Apostille