Need a notarization or an apostille in West Los Angeles or Ventura County? We come to you, check requirements up front, and fast-track documents for international use.
Why Choose Cinar Notary
- NNA LSA certified notaries and background-checked signers
- Bonded, insured and compliant — originals protected during handling
- Multilingual staff and document pre-check for international acceptance
- Same-day, after-hours and mobile visits across West LA & Ventura County
- End-to-end concierge: notarize, route to the Secretary of State[1] or consulate, insured shipping
Areas We Serve in Los Angeles & Nearby
Common service areas include:
- West Los Angeles
- Santa Monica
- Culver City
- Venice
- Thousand Oaks / Ventura County
See full coverage: Areas We Serve — and local pages like Santa Monica or Ventura County.
A quick primer: Apostille vs. notary
- Notarization: A notary verifies the signer’s identity, witnesses the signing, and attaches a notarial certificate. It authenticates a signature or a certified copy depending on the service.
- Apostille: A government authentication (usually from the state Secretary of State) that certifies the notary’s signature for use in Hague Convention countries. Notarization is usually step one; an apostille is a later, government-issued step.
Remote online notarization (RON)
Some states allow remote online notarization (RON) and may apostille RON-notarized documents. Acceptance by the destination country varies. We verify destination rules and offer an in-person backup if needed.
Local micro-story
A teacher in Santa Monica needed her diploma apostilled for a job in Spain. We pre-checked requirements, notarized her copy, routed it to the Secretary of State[1], and shipped it back. She had everything the consulate asked for and left for Madrid on time.
What to expect
- We pre-check destination rules and RON restrictions
- You’ll need valid ID; in-person signers must appear before the notary
- Typical turnaround: same day to several business days, depending on the issuing office
- Fees: notary charge + state apostille fees + any shipping/expedite costs
- Secure, trackable return shipping when requested
How to Book
- Book online or call +1 805-246-7344 — choose mobile, on-site, or remote notarization.
- Tell us the destination country and document type — we pre-check acceptance rules and RON restrictions.
- We notarize, fast-track the apostille or consular legalization, then return your documents with secure, trackable shipping.
Prefer mobile service? Learn more about our Mobile Notary Services.
FAQs
What is the difference between an apostille and a notarization?
A notarization verifies a signature and identity. An apostille is a separate government authentication (usually from the state Secretary of State) that certifies the notary’s signature for use in Hague Convention countries.
Do I need an apostille after a document is notarized?
Only if the receiving country requires it. Hague Convention countries typically require an apostille. Non-Hague countries usually need consular legalization.
Can a notary issue an apostille?
No. Notaries perform notarizations. Apostilles are issued by a government office (for example, the state Secretary of State). A notary prepares the notarization that the issuing office will apostille.
Which documents typically require an apostille?
Common documents include birth and marriage certificates, powers of attorney, diplomas/transcripts, corporate documents, notarized affidavits, and background checks. Requirements vary by country.
How long does an apostille take and what are the fees?
Turnaround depends on the issuing office: same-day to several business days. Fees include notary charges, state apostille fees, and shipping/expedite costs. We can provide bundled quotes for expedited service.
Are apostilles accepted in all countries?
No. Apostilles are accepted only in countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. For non-Hague countries, consular legalization or other embassy approvals are usually required.
Can RON be apostilled?
Sometimes. Many states allow RON and will apostille RON notarizations, but some destination countries require ink signatures or in-person notarizations. We verify and provide an in-person backup when necessary.
Do I need an original document or will a notarized copy work?
It depends. Some authorities insist on original vital records; others accept certified true copies. We advise per document and can help obtain certified copies.
Can you notarize and apostille same day or provide expedited service?
Yes — depending on the issuing Secretary of State and current workload. We offer same-day notarizations and rush routing when possible. Ask about our expedited flat-rate bundles.
What ID and signer presence rules apply?
For traditional notarizations the signer must appear in person with valid government ID (passport, driver’s license). RON uses audio/video plus credentialing. ID acceptance can vary by destination; we confirm up front.
Do translations need to be notarized or apostilled?
Often translations must be certified or sworn by the translator; some countries require the translator’s certification to be notarized and apostilled. Requirements differ widely — we handle translation coordination when needed.
Local details for West Los Angeles & Ventura County
Santa Monica Pier & Third Street Promenade — busy tourist hub, easy landmark for meetups. Venice Boardwalk & Abbot Kinney — popular but parking can be tight. Getty Center (Brentwood) — good quiet meeting spot with paid parking. UCLA / Westwood Village — central West LA campus area, heavy foot and car traffic. Ventura Harbor & Ventura Pier — common Ventura County pickup/dropoff locations. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza & Ventura County Fairgrounds — frequent local landmarks.
Scenarios we commonly handle: a teacher in Santa Monica needing a diploma apostilled for Spain; a small business in West LA requiring articles of incorporation notarized and apostilled for an overseas branch; vehicle power of attorney signings in Ventura County; adoption paperwork requiring consular legalization.
Practical notes: meet at hospital lobbies (UCLA Medical Center / Santa Monica-UCLA), public libraries, or hotel lobbies to simplify access. We may include a small travel/parking surcharge if metered parking or secure-access building passes are required; we confirm extras before travel. Bring a valid government photo ID (passport, driver’s license, state ID); expired IDs are usually not accepted. For vehicle/title signings bring the title or registration plus photo ID. Use ParkMobile or prepay parking to avoid citations in Santa Monica and Westwood. Allow extra time around UCLA events, Santa Monica weekends, and Ventura festivals — traffic can add 15–30 minutes.
Nearby on our site: Santa Monica, Ventura County, or Santa Barbara for extended apostille support.
If you’re ready, Book online or call +1 805-246-7344 for a clear, flat quote and same-day mobile options. Cinar Notary will guide the process and return your documents securely.
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