Apostille vs Notarization: What is the Difference?
Last updated 2026-10-09 · By Cristian Estrada Solano, California Notary Public
Notarization verifies a signer's identity and willingness to sign a document. An apostille is a separate international certification that authenticates the notary or official so the document is accepted in Hague Convention countries. A document is often notarized first, then apostilled. SIRC CO. provides both in Los Angeles.
Quick Facts
- Price
- Notary $45+$15/sig · Apostille $200
- Turnaround
- Notary same-day · Apostille same-day in LA
- Service Area
- Los Angeles County
- What to Bring
- Photo ID + original document
Notarization and apostille are two different steps that often work together. A notary confirms who you are and that you signed willingly. An apostille, issued by the California Secretary of State, confirms that the notary (or the official who issued the document) is legitimate, so foreign authorities will accept it.
You need notarization for most documents that require a signature to be trusted — affidavits, powers of attorney, consent forms, and loan packages. You need an apostille when that document is going to a country that is part of the Hague Convention, such as Mexico, Spain, or Italy.
The typical order is: notarize the document first, then obtain the apostille. SIRC CO. can do both in one appointment in Los Angeles, or handle the apostille filing on your behalf.
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