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California apostille pop-up shops: how they work
A California apostille pop-up shop is a one-day event where the California Secretary of State sets up a counter inside a county office and issues apostilles in person. It moves from city to city through the year. If your document was issued or notarized in California, you can walk in, wait your turn, and in many cases leave with the apostille the same day.
The catch is scope. The pop-up handles California documents only, and the lines can be long. The next one in San Diego is Wednesday, December 2, 2026.
Key takeaways
- Pop-up shops are run by the California Secretary of State with a partner county office, one day per city.
- They issue apostilles for documents signed by a California public official and for original notarized or certified documents. Photocopies are turned away.
- FBI checks, other federal records, out-of-state documents, translation and embassy legalization are outside what a pop-up can do.
- Service is first come, first served, and the state warns waits can run two to three hours.
- The San Diego pop-up is December 2, 2026 at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway. Check the official schedule before you go.
How the program works
Documents a pop-up will accept
- Vital records: certified copies of California birth, marriage and death certificates issued by the state or a California county.
- Court records: documents certified by a California court clerk, such as a divorce decree.
- Notarized documents: a power of attorney, affidavit or letter notarized by a California notary.
- School records: a diploma or transcript prepared the way California requires for a notarized or certified copy.
What the pop-up can't handle
- FBI background checks and other federal records: these are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
- Documents from other states: a Texas birth certificate or a New York notarization goes to that state's own office.
- Translation: the pop-up attaches the apostille. It does not translate anything.
- Embassy legalization: countries outside the Hague Convention need a consular step the state does not do.
What to bring on the day
How the lines work
Finding the official schedule
A private alternative to the line
Rather skip the line?
Drop your documents at our Downtown San Diego office and we submit them for the apostille. Our per-document prices are on the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a California apostille pop-up shop?+
It is a one-day event where the California Secretary of State, working with a county office, issues apostilles in person. The program moves between California cities during the year, and the official schedule is posted on the Secretary of State's website.
Which documents can I bring to a California apostille pop-up shop?+
Documents signed by a California public official, such as certified copies of California birth, marriage and death certificates or court-certified records, and original documents notarized by a California notary. Photocopies are not accepted.
Can a California pop-up shop apostille an FBI background check?+
No. An FBI background check is a federal document, and only the U.S. Department of State apostilles it. Pop-up shops also cannot handle documents from other states, translation or embassy legalization.
Do I need an appointment for an apostille pop-up shop?+
As of 2026, no appointments are listed. People are served first come, first served, and the Secretary of State warns that waits can reach two to three hours. Someone else may submit your request for you if they bring the document and payment.
When is the next apostille pop-up shop in San Diego?+
As of 2026, the next San Diego event is scheduled for Wednesday, December 2, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the San Diego County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway. Confirm on the Secretary of State's schedule before you go, since events can change.
How much does it cost to have Apostille Near Me submit my documents instead?+
We charge a flat price per document, based on the document type and the state or agency that issued it. You see that price on our apostille pricing page before you order, with no hidden fees.