Los Angeles · California death certificate apostille
We turn California and out-of-state death certificates into documents foreign courts, banks, and registries will accept — verifying the issuing office, copy type, and apostille route before anything is shipped.
This page covers death certificates only. For birth, marriage, or divorce records, see the vital records hub.
What this page covers
A death certificate apostille is required when foreign courts, banks, registries, pension funds, or insurance companies need to confirm a U.S. death overseas. We verify you have a current certified copy from the correct county or state office, then file it with that state's apostille authority — most often the California Secretary of State. For non-Hague destinations, we walk you through the consular legalization chain.
Common reasons people need this
Foreign probate courts and registries require an apostilled U.S. death certificate before they will open or close an estate, distribute inheritance, or transfer titled assets held abroad. For inheritance matters involving Cuba, additional consular legalization steps apply.
Foreign pension funds, life-insurance carriers, and government benefits offices typically require an apostilled death certificate before paying out claims to beneficiaries living overseas.
Foreign real-estate registries, vehicle authorities, and bank-account custodians often require an apostilled death certificate as part of transferring or releasing property held outside the United States.
How it works
Text or email a photo of the death certificate, the issuing county and state, the destination country, and your deadline. We confirm whether your copy will be accepted or whether a new certified copy must be ordered first.
Many estates and insurance carriers require recent certified copies (often within 6–12 months). We tell you which version your destination will accept and help order a fresh copy from the correct vital-records office.
We file with the correct Secretary of State, monitor processing, and return the apostilled certificate by secure courier, mail, or in-person pickup. Same-day rush is available for most California death certificates.
What will and won't be accepted
Realistic timelines
Before you contact us
Death Certificate apostille FAQ
In most cases yes — you must use a recent certified copy issued by the correct county or state vital-records office, not a photocopy or funeral-home keepsake. We review a photo of your certificate and confirm whether it will work or if a new copy should be ordered.
Yes. Each U.S. state apostilles its own death records through its Secretary of State. We coordinate ordering and filing with the correct out-of-state offices. Timing and fees vary by state.
We can explain how to request a new certified copy from the correct vital-records office before moving forward with the apostille. In California that is typically CDPH or the county recorder where the death was registered.
California death certificates can often be apostilled in 1–3 business days with in-person filing, and same-day rush is available in most cases. Other states typically take 1–6 weeks. Non-Hague destinations requiring consular legalization will add additional weeks.
Yes. The apostille is attached directly to the original certified death certificate. We arrange secure return by courier, mail, or in-person pickup and confirm the return method in writing before submission.
If the destination country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is the correct authentication. For non-member countries, consular legalization is required and we will outline the additional steps in advance.
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