How to Prepare a Driver’s License or Passport for Apostille in California

Notary on the Fly NW Can Help You Every Step of the Way

Whether you're traveling abroad, applying for dual citizenship, or handling international business, you might be asked to provide a notarized and apostilled copy of your driver's license or passport. But how exactly do you prepare your ID for this process in the state of California?

Let’s break it down step by step so you can feel confident and prepared—and learn how Notary on the Fly NW can help you get it done easily, accurately, and fast. Read more....

🔍 Step 1: Understand What an Apostille Is

An apostille is a certification that verifies the authenticity of a document so it can be recognized in another country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. In the case of a driver’s license or passport, you can't apostille the ID itself—you apostille a notarized statement that confirms the copy is true and accurate.

✍️ Step 2: Write Your Statement or Take an Oath

In California, notaries are not allowed to certify a copy of a passport or driver’s license

directly. Instead, you (the document holder) must swear or affirm that the copy is true and unaltered. This is typically done through a written statement or by taking an oral oath in front of a notary public.

Here’s an example of a simple statement you might use:

"I, [Your Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the attached copy of my [Driver’s License or Passport] is a true, correct, and unaltered copy of the original document."

You will sign this in front of a California notary, who will notarize your signature, and that notarized statement is what will be submitted for the apostille.

🖇️ Step 3: Attach the Photocopy

Once you’ve signed your statement and it's been notarized, the notary will staple the photocopy of your ID to the notarized document. This entire packet is what will be sent to the California Secretary of State for apostille processing.

📬 Skip the Wait—Let Us Handle the Apostille for You

While you can submit your notarized document to the California Secretary of State yourself by mail, be prepared to wait—processing can take up to 4–6 weeks, especially if there are backlogs.

But here’s the good news: Notary on the Fly NW can take care of the entire process for you—start to finish—in as little as just a couple of business days.

We hand-deliver your documents for expedited processing, track the status, and make sure everything is handled correctly so you don’t have to stress or wait around.

Why deal with confusing state instructions and long wait times when you can hand it off to professionals and get it done fast?

🦅 How Notary on the Fly NW Makes It Easy

At Notary on the Fly NW, we’ve streamlined the process to take the stress off your plate.

Here’s what we do:

✅ Provide mobile notary services (we come to you!)

✅ Help you draft or take your sworn statement

✅ Ensure your documents are properly notarized for apostille

✅ Submit your documents to the California Secretary of State

✅ Offer rush services—as fast as a couple of business days

✅ Handle everything from beginning to end with care and professionalism

Whether you're in California or out of state but need a California apostille, our team makes the process quick, simple, and secure.

💡 Final Tips

Bring your original passport or driver’s license to your notary appointment.
Make sure your copy is clear and legible.
Use a professional notary service like Notary on the Fly NW to avoid delays or rejections.
If you're unsure what kind of apostille or authentication is required, we’ll help you figure it out based on the destination country.

Ready to Get Started?

Notary on the Fly NW is ready to assist you with your passport or driver's license apostille needs. We’re experts in handling California-specific apostilles and can guide you every step of the way.

📞 Call or text us anytime: 360-553-1998 – we’re open 24/7

🌐 Visit: NotaryontheFlyNW.com

📍 Serving Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR, and California-based apostille needs nationwide