Q: What is an Apostille?

An Apostille is a certification that a legal document is authentic. Any document issued in the U.S. must be certified when it is going to be used in a foreign country that is part of the Hague Convention “Abolishing the Requirement of Consular Legalization for Foreign Public Documents of 1961”.

Q: Who Needs a Apostille?

American citizens or foreign nationals, corporations and non-governmental organizations.

Q: What Kind of Documents Need an Apostille?

Apostilles are required for legal documents including (but not limited to) adoption papers, affidavits, birth certificates, contracts, death certificates, deeds, diplomas and degrees, divorce decrees, incorporation papers, marriage certificates, patent applications, powers of attorney, and school transcripts.

Please note that I only process documents originally recorded in California.

Q: What is the Process of Obtaining an Apostille?

The certification is a two step process where a notary public verifies the document signer’s identity and attaches their seal and signature. The Secretary of State certifies authenticity of the my signature, seal and the capacity in which I acted. The Office of the Secretary of State then attaches the Apostille stamped certificate to the document. The document and Apostille certificate is then returned to the notary public who sends the document to the foreign government, corporation, organization or individual.

Q: Which Countries Participate in Apostille Certification?

Any member country of the Hague Convention “Abolishing the Requirement of Consular Legalization for Foreign Public Documents of 1961”. Under this Convention, member countries agree to facilitate the exchange and verification of documents, an apostille certification will be required for all member countries of the Hague convention.

Here is list countries that will accept an Apostille: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41

Q: What should I bring with me?

A: Please bring all of the documents that you need to be notarized (and all pages of each). 

You must show a current government identification card (ID) that has been issued within the past five (5) years [per Civil Code Section 118(c)(3)&(4)]. The ID must have a photograph, description and signature of the person, and an identifying number. 

Examples of appropriate IDs: 

• Driver's license or identification card issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles 
• U.S. Passport
• Foreign Passport
• Military ID card
• Consular card
• Tribal ID card

In the event that none of these forms of ID are available, two credible witnesses who fulfill all three of the following requirements must come with you. 

• Personally know the signer
• Are not named in the document(s)
• Do not have a financial interest in the document(s)

Both credible witnesses must have proper ID, as described above. 

Q: What kind of payments do you accept?

A: I accept cash, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express), and checks under $25.00. 

My rates are very reasonable and I offer special discounts on services to senior citizens, teachers, and hospice facilities. The travel fee is discussed above. 

Q: What is the Cost of Obtaining an Apostille?

My Apostille processing fee is $55.00. The state fees and mailing and/or courier fees vary depending on how quickly the document is needed and the country to which the documents are being sent. I am happy to provide you a quote for these costs.

For a quote, please fill out the form below and mail it to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Download Request an Apostille Quote Form

Q: Are you licensed and bonded?

A: I am licensed and bonded.

My commission (license) expires 1/31/2027

Q: Do you come to my city?

A: I will travel to you, whether it's your place of business, hospital, school, home, or other meeting place. Based out of San Marcos, California, Moonlight Mobile Notary serves north San Diego County (within 30 miles [one way] of San Marcos, CA), which includes these cities. 

• Bonsall
• Carlsbad
• Del Mar
• Elfin Forest
• Encinitas
• Escondido
• Fairbanks Ranch
• Fallbrook
• Hidden Meadows
• La Costa
• Leucadia
• Oceanside
• Olivenhain
• Poway
• Rancho Bernardo
• Rancho Santa Fe
• San Marcos
• Solana Beach
• Vista
• Vista Jail

Q: Is there an extra fee to come to me?

A: In addition to the fee(s) for services (notary, Live Scan, etc.), there is a travel fee, based on where we meet.

Notary Travel Fees

I serve the North San Diego County Cities of:

• Bonsall: $35.00 - 45.00
• Carlsbad: $40.00
• Carmel Valley: $55.00
• Del Mar: $60.00
• Escondido: $35.00 - $55.00 (Depends on area of Escondido)
• Elfin Forest: $45.00 - $60.00
• Encinitas: $45.00
• Fairbanks Ranch: $65.00
• Fallbrook: $60.00
• Hidden Meadows: $50.00 - $60.00
• La Costa: $45.00
• La Jolla $65.00
• Leucadia: $50.00
• Oceanside: $35.00
• Olivenhain: $55.00 to $65.00
• Penasquitos: $50.00
• Poway: $55.00
• Rancho Bernardo: $45.00 - $55.00
• Rancho Santa Fe: $65.00 - $75.00
• San Marcos: $20.00
• Scripps Ranch: $55.00
• Solana Beach: $55.00
• Sorrento Valley: $60.00
• Valley Center: $55.00 - $70.00
• Vista: $35.00 - $55.00 (Depends on area of Vista)

Hospital or Medical Office

• Kaiser: $55.00
• Palomar Medical Center: $60.00
• Tri-City Hospital: $60.00

Vista Detention Center or Court

• Vista Detention Center $95 (includes travel and 2 notarized signatures), $15 each additional notarized signature
• Vista Family Court – Elisor Signing $95 (includes travel and 2 notarized signatures), $15 each additional notarized signature

Travel fee discounted with six or more notarized signatures.

Live Scan Travel Fees

• North San Diego County (any city listed above): $75.00
• Groups of 10 or more Live Scans eligible for a discounted travel fee.

I offer Courier Service from signing location to San Diego County Recorder (Record Deed) or other North County destination.

Courier documents within 150 miles of zip code 92069 or 92054 - Call for Price and will require 2-day notice.

Q: How do you protect my personal information?

A: Rest assured, your privacy and personal information are our top priority. We securely shred all waste paperwork using Proshred Security, whose shredding process complies with ISO 9001 and NAID AAA standards and requirements. They provide us with a Certificate of Destruction, which documents and confirms that your paperwork was properly shredded and destroyed.