Custody & Name Change Apostille Los Angeles
Apostille service for custody orders, guardianship rulings, and name change court decrees. We help Los Angeles families get family court orders apostilled for use overseas.
Help with custody, guardianship, and name change order apostilles
When children move abroad, families relocate, or you update legal identity records in another country, foreign authorities may ask for a family court order with an apostille.
We help families across Los Angeles confirm whether their custody order, guardianship appointment, or name change decree is in the right format for apostille and coordinate the process so the paperwork is accepted the first time.
Before you schedule, we review a scan or photo of your court order, your destination country, and any instructions from foreign attorneys, schools, or consulates so you know exactly what is required.
For other family court documents like divorce decrees or adoption judgments, see our dedicated pages or visit the court documents apostille overview.
Experience with family court orders for overseas use
- Handle apostilles for California family court orders, including custody and visitation rulings, guardianship appointments, and decrees changing name, plus many out‑of‑state orders.
- Review your order image to confirm it is a certified copy with the proper court seal and clerk's signature, and advise if you need to request a new certified copy.
- Guidance when foreign schools, courts, or consulates request additional notarized statements or translations alongside your court order.
- Clear explanations of timelines and fees, plus 5‑star feedback for communication and careful handling of sensitive family documents.
Recent clients have used our custody, guardianship, and name change apostille service to register children in schools abroad, support visa and residency applications, and update passports and civil registry records in other countries.
How custody, guardianship & name change apostille service works
1. We review your court order and destination requirements.
You can text or email a copy of your custody order, guardianship ruling, or name change decree along with any instructions from a foreign court, school, or consulate. We verify that it is an eligible certified copy and determine which authority will issue the apostille.
2. We help you obtain the right certified copy, if needed.
If your document is a plain printout, only file‑stamped, or missing the clerk's certification page, we explain how to request a proper certified copy from the correct court before moving ahead. This helps avoid delays and rejected apostille requests.
3. We obtain the apostille and return your documents.
Once the correct certified court order is ready, we submit it for apostille and arrange secure delivery back to you or directly to your attorney, school, or representative abroad, depending on your needs.
Processing times and fees depend on the issuing state, the specific court involved, and whether you choose standard or expedited options where available. We outline realistic timelines and costs before you commit.
Common reasons Los Angeles clients need custody, guardianship, or name change apostilles
Relocating abroad with children
Foreign immigration authorities and courts may require apostilled custody or guardianship orders to confirm who has legal authority to travel with or make decisions for a child.
International schooling and enrollment
Schools abroad sometimes request apostilled custody or guardianship documents to verify who can enroll a child, sign school forms, or make educational decisions.
Updating name and identification records
Court‑ordered name changes often need an apostille before foreign civil registries, passport offices, and consulates will update your name on official records and identification.
Cross‑border family law and inheritance matters
When family law or estate issues involve more than one country, foreign courts or notaries may ask for apostilled custody, guardianship, or name change orders as part of their file.
Questions about family court order apostilles
Does my custody or guardianship order need to be a certified copy?
Yes. Most family court orders must be certified by the court clerk, with an original seal and signature on a certification page, before an apostille can be issued. Photocopies or online printouts are usually not accepted.
Can you apostille a name change order from another state?
Often, yes. We can help coordinate apostilles for name change decrees and other family court orders from other U.S. states, but they must be processed through that state's apostille authority. Timing and fees will vary by state.
Do these court orders need notarization first?
Many certified court orders can go directly for apostille once the clerk's certification is in place. In some situations, additional notarized statements or translations may be requested by the destination country. We review your documents and explain any extra steps before you proceed.
What if my court order is old or missing pages?
Foreign authorities frequently require a complete, intact certified copy. If pages are missing, separated from the certification, or the order is very old, we may recommend requesting a fresh certified copy from the court before moving forward.
How do I know if I need an apostille or another type of authentication?
Countries in the Hague Apostille Convention typically require an apostille. For non‑member countries, consular legalization or another type of authentication may be needed, and we can help you understand the correct process for your destination.
Share a few details and get a clear plan
You can call, text, or send a copy of your court order so we can confirm what is needed and outline a realistic apostille timeline before you book.
When you contact us, it helps to include:
- Whether your order is for custody/visitation, guardianship, or a name change.
- The country where the court order will be used.
- Your deadline and whether you are in Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, Orange, or Ventura County.
We will confirm fees, court or ID requirements, mailing or courier options, and the expected apostille timeline before finalizing your appointment.
For an overview of all the document types and countries we handle, visit our apostille services page or return to mobile notary and apostille services in Los Angeles.