California Secretary of State

Walked in to their office at 10:47 and out by 10:10. Fast and efficient service, very polite and helpful. No cash is accepted only credit card or check. Found in-​door parking $ 9 day max on Spring half a block North of the building at Joe’s

Came for an Apostille. There was a line, but it moved with some rapidity. Be aware they do not accept cash even though this is a Government Facility and cash is a Government issued instrument of payment.
I took the train. It was cheaper than parking in what passes for downtown and it avoided the traffic patterns downtown has implemented specifically to discourage people from driving in the downtown.
The stop is about two blocks north of the building.

I arrived at 9:30 AM on Wednesday and parked a short block away for $ 9. I needed an apostille on the 12 floor. Everyone from the security upon entering the Ronald Reagan Building and personnel in the Secretary of State’s office were polite and helpful. I took a number but only 4 people were ahead of me. I had my apostille in hand within 10 minutes and on the way back to my car at the parking garage just a short walk down the street. I spoke to a few people on the elevator and from their experience the least crowded days are Tuesday-​Thursday and the middle of the morning (9:00−11:00). Excellent service! *****

Came on a Monday afternoon around 1pm to get an apostille and was outta there by 1:45pm with approximately 30 people ahead of me.
When you go, you can find flat rate parking lots on almost every block. I paid $ 10 for the lot right next to the Secretary of State building.
You can get a apostille on the 12^th floor of the south tower. Be sure to go past the line (that might be out the door and by the elevator) to get a number from the ticket number dispenser and the correct forms located at the counter. The office does not accept cash. They will accept personal checks, money orders or credit cards!
The staff was kind and efficient. I had a pleasant experience there and you will too as long as you have all your documents ready.

I had to get a copy of a court document certified by apostille (guaranteed for international use) and came on a Friday afternoon by necessity, rather than by choice. I arrived and took a number from the dispenser at 2:52pm. They called my number within two minutes, and I filled out a short form — seriously, it only had about five lines to complete. I paid, they verified the signature, and I was out of there by 3:05pm.
The counter staff assured me that there is sometimes a huge line, even all the way out to the elevators, but thank goodness that wasn’t the case this afternoon. I’m super-​happy with my experience, and hope the Canadian government will be as quick and efficient in reviewing the document when I send it in to them.

It would appear that government employees need some incentives to show some more enthusiasm… or signs of life. Someone please reform local governance. One star for cool security dudes downstairs and another for the view you can enjoy while you wait and wait and wait…

I frequently have to use their services for my job. Everyone is consistently helpful and patient, especially with how tricky all the little details are.
SUGGESTION: Get there early, as there is way less of a wait time.

After reading all the reviews I was a little worried I was going to be their all day. I showed up about 9:30 am and their was 2 people in the office. A guy walked up to me and said, «no need to get a number I’ll help you» Unfortunately I didn’t have a stamp that I needed so he explained to me what I had to do and where to go. He signed my paper and said I will put my signature so when you come back you don’t have to wait. He was so helpful! When I came back he recognized me and took my papers and I was out of their in 10 mins. Their is a parking lot right next to it, they charge a flat fee of $ 6.00, I thought I was gona be there for a while, so I just paid the flat fee. Overall the place is easy to get to, the staff is very nice and helpful 5 stars for you guys!

get here when it opens at 8 am. If you dont, you will stand in a line that can take as much as 90 minutes to get your work done. Also if you do come around 12 or 1, park in a flat fee parking lot. There is one North of the Sec. of State Bldg and that is $ 7 flat fee. The street parking is a max of 2 hours and you can run past it and have to pay an expensive ticket.

I have to say what a pleasure doing business with the Los Angeles Secretary od State Office. Every single person who works here is super friendly. They really want to help you with any issues. They are very helpful when you are need to apply for a corporation.
As we all a lot state agencies employees don’t care and very rude. I don’t say this very often. As I was totally stunned how the treat the customers here. This place is very busy. If you come around noon to 2pm the wait is very fast.
You got a lot of street parking and parking lots. I could not be more happier with the services provided.

Fairly well organized and efficient. The employees are very polite, friendly, and helpful.

Should you ever need the services of the California Secretary of State’s regional office in Downtown Los Angeles, these capable, friendly, efficient, and personable Secretary of State (SOS) staffers are more than up to the task.
This was the first time my wife and I ever had a need to visit this office. The occasion was to apostille certain documents — birth certificate and criminal background check documents — and from start to finish in their office on the 12^th floor, it took all of 25 minutes (we came into the office this morning around 10 AM or a bit later than that). Excellent service professionally and accurately done, with a smile! SAME DAY service within a matter of minutes! You can’t go wrong here!
Ken was my clerk assisting me (I saw three in the office this morning). I asked him if he saw a lot of individuals getting their birth certificates apostilled. He answered in the affirmative. Same thing with the criminal background check, which we also need to immigrate overseas for our retirement. The SOS office sees a lot of those too.. . so I must be doing the right thing by getting them apostilled.
All letters from the SOS office were professionally typed with no spelling or other errors, and stapled to the original documents I provided the clerk. The seal is placed on the newly provided apostille letter from the CA SOS, *and* also on the form or letter provided them that needed the apostille — half on the new letter, half on the provided form/​letter. In this way, they operate as a unit, proving the authenticity of the document to be examined by the foreign country’s office.
Customer restrooms are on the second floor, just in case you need them. First floor has restrooms too, but they are coded for employee use only, fyi.
Nice clean spacious building. Easy to find the elevators and cafeteria (should you need a nutrition fix, it’s on the second floor, available to anyone). Security was efficient and even friendly with a smile, and parking is available from several private lots nearby the Ronald Reagan State office building where the CA SOS office is at. The lot just south of the Ronald Reagan building — it’s on the left side of the one way street adjacent to the Reagan building — offers an early bird discount of $ 6 max before 9:30 AM. Lo and behold, our ticket was stamped for 9:30 AM exactly.. . so we paid the standard day rate of $ 10 max for the day. The rate is $ 3 for the first 20 minutes, $ 3 for the second 20 minutes, and so on until you max out at $ 10. FYI.
Olvera Street was around 10 blocks away, and we decided to visit it while we were already in DTLA. Nice walk that helped us get hungry for some good authentic Mexican Food.. . LA style! Why pay twice for parking when you know you already have to pay at least $ 9 to move the car? So we kept the car there and got a walking tour of some of Downtown LA. Good exercise SoCal style!
We were told by a fellow customer that if you come in the afternoon — say at 1:00 PM — the line gets long and goes past the entry door to the office. Now you know! Come in the morning like we did.. . far less waiting time, less stress, less hassle. Still, remember to get your ticket number when you first come to the office. Makes life easier for the clerks to serve you, and reduces confusion regarding «who is next?» We wish a certain consulate in the LA area would use a ticket system and get their act together like the CA SOS office does.. . and does so very well.

It makes me proud of my State agencies when everything runs smooth. This office was quick, easy and nice, when it came to getting a service a knew little about. From the guards at the screening who directed me to the correct location to the clerks, I was in and out in less than 15 minutes. On top of that, City of LA has installed an electric car charger a block and half away. Incredible! Government can work.

I am always amazed at how friendly the counter people are here … they spend all day dealing with clueless people (like me), who are not familiar with the processes they are trying to accomplish, and yet they are polite and patient.
Too bad the Secretary of State cannot have a customer service training day for the DMV …

Had to get a couple of documents apostilled and as much as I was dreading coming down here, I had no choice but to visit this regional office. We all know how the government agencies work, but surprisingly the process here was quite efficient and friendly.
You go thru a metal detector to get into the building and the officers were quite friendly (surprise!)…the place is huge and I believe the building has 18 floors. This office is on the 12^th floor and once they call your number (be sure to get a number when you enter and fill out the required forms), the apostille process took about 5 mins. The reps were friendly, patient, and very helpful.
There is metered parking on Spring St and a private parking lot ($ 5) right next to this building. They also accept Visa/​MC (no cash!) and it was $ 26 to get one document/​signature apostilled.
Another reason I enjoyed this trip– they had a bake sale going on inside the building and the chocolate chip cookie was delish!

I feel compelled to write a review as I have been to county/​state offices to do business before and each time it was «painful». Got to the building around 10:30 am. Parked in a lot next to the building for $ 3 for every 20 min. Today was a pleasant suprise! From being asked and offered directions by the guards as soon as I walked into the building to being assisted by an african american woman who wore glasses at the office counter. I wish I got her name! She definitely changed my views of state workers. Very helpful and provided service with a smile. Alot of people in line but it took about 45 min. and I was out of there :) Hope I don’t have to go again, but would if I had to without hesitation. If it were not for the LA traffic :(

Nearly every Secretary of State office pales in comparison to Nevada services (ease, parking, customer service, response, processing, questions, etc etc) — my experience today went about as well as possible at the local office of the California Secretary of State (official office is in Sacramento).
I had 4 items to process, grabbed a ticket, and sat down. 10 number difference between mine and the current customer. I prepared my cover sheets, and waited.
With a long counter to service customers, 4 representatives were there to assist, and I was called up in about 15 minutes. Other than the need to have 3 copies of certain documents (nowhere did I find this mentioned on the website or instruction forms)…and they do not have a copy machine in the office for customers to use (that would be extremely beneficial!)…I was sent down to the gift shop on the first floor (that was super easy too), and was allowed to go right back to the counter to finish my services in mere minutes.
The customer representatives were very nice, and very helpful. DONE and OUT in 45 minutes.
Parking was $ 12, and there are even some lots nearby for $ 5 and $ 10 that I saw later… for all day parking.
Definitely exceeded my expectations overall. With the all day parking, you might as well go to lunch or an early dinner… and enjoy the outing!