Academic Documents
Diploma and Transcript Apostille
Teaching English in Spain or Korea, a master’s degree in Europe, or a work visa that asks for your degree. Academic documents need one extra step before the apostille, and we do that step for you.
- Government fee included
- Rush and same-day available
- Open every day 8am–10pm
At a glance
Why Diplomas Need Notarizing First
A diploma is signed by a university president or registrar, and the Secretary of State does not keep those signatures on file. So the document is brought into the system through a California notary: the notary’s signature is on file, and that is what the apostille certifies.
There are two common routes, and the right one depends on your destination:
- Registrar statement. The school’s registrar signs a statement, in front of a notary, confirming the diploma or transcript is genuine. Many universities offer this for a fee, and some destinations prefer it.
- Copy with a sworn statement. You sign a sworn statement before a notary that the attached copy is a true copy of your original. California notaries cannot certify a copy of a diploma themselves, so this is the lawful way to do it. It can be done at our office in minutes.
Local Schools
We regularly prepare documents from UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College, Westmont College, Antioch University Santa Barbara, Allan Hancock College and local high schools. UCSB and SBCC transcripts usually come from the school as official documents in a sealed envelope or as a certified electronic PDF; tell us which you have and we will plan around it.
Graduated somewhere else in California? The same process works for any California school. If the school is in another state, its notarization and apostille must come from that state.
Teaching and Visa Programs
South Korea’s E-2 teaching visa, Spain’s auxiliares program, China’s Z work visa and many European master’s programs ask for an apostilled degree. Some also want an apostilled background check at the same time; book them together and they travel as one package.
What You Need
- Your diploma or official transcript
- Photo ID (for the notarization)
- The destination country and program
Not sure this is the right document or the right apostille? Call (805) 866-4199, any day 8am–10pm. We will tell you exactly what your destination needs before you pay for anything.
How It Works
Done for You, Start to Finish
01
Book Online
Pick the service and a time, and pay securely. Or call and we will set it up with you.
02
Drop Off or Mail
Bring it to 1117 State St, book a mobile visit, or mail it in. We notarize first if your document needs it.
03
We Submit It
We check it, then submit it to the California Secretary of State for the apostille.
04
You Get It Back
Pick it up at the office or choose tracked return shipping anywhere in the world.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Will you send my original diploma to the state?
Usually not. In most cases a notarized copy is apostilled and you keep the original. Some countries want the original itself notarized through a registrar statement; we will tell you if yours is one of them.
Do I need the diploma, the transcript or both?
Teaching visas usually want the diploma. Universities usually want transcripts. Some employers want both. Each document is priced separately, so check the requirement first.
Can a transcript in a sealed envelope be apostilled?
It has to be notarized through a registrar statement, which means the school prepares it that way, or opened and handled as a certified copy. Call us before you open it, since some programs also want an unopened copy.
What does it cost?
$110 per document for the apostille plus $15 per notarized signature, usually one per document. Rush and same-day are available.
Ready to Get Started?
Book online in a few minutes, or call and talk to a person. Open every day, 8am to 10pm.