Guides
Practical guides for San Jose
Answers to the questions we get most often at the counter — balikbayan shipping, live scan fingerprinting, Notary, mailboxes, and more. Written from our own San Jose experience.
- Notary Public
How to Get an Apostille in San Jose (2026 Guide)
Step-by-step guide to getting a California apostille in San Jose: notarization, mailing or in-person submission to the California Secretary of State, typical timelines, and which documents need one.
Read the guide → - Balikbayan boxes
How to Ship a Balikbayan Box from San Jose to the Philippines
A practical San Jose guide to shipping a balikbayan box to the Philippines — Atlas Shippers pricing, drop-off vs pickup, transit time, what to pack, and how the Bay Area process actually works.
Read the guide → - Balikbayan boxes
Christmas Balikbayan Box Cutoff Dates from California
When to ship your balikbayan box from California to guarantee Christmas delivery in the Philippines — a practical timeline by zone, plus what happens if you miss the cutoff.
Read the guide → - Live scan
Live Scan for a California Teaching Credential (41-LS Form)
Step-by-step: how to complete Live Scan fingerprinting for a California teaching credential in San Jose — the 41-LS form, CTC's ORI and agency billing codes, and what to bring to the appointment.
Read the guide → - Mailbox rental
Can I Use a Mailbox Address for My California LLC?
What the California Secretary of State and IRS actually require for an LLC's business address — which types of mailbox addresses qualify, which don't, and how to keep your home address off public records.
Read the guide → - Live scan
Live Scan in San Jose: Walk-in vs Appointment (and How Long It Really Takes)
Whether to walk in or book an appointment for Live Scan fingerprinting in San Jose — honest wait-time expectations, how to speed things up, and when an appointment actually helps.
Read the guide → - Mailbox rental
Private Mailbox vs PO Box vs Virtual Mailbox (San Jose Guide)
Comparing private mailboxes, USPS PO Boxes, and virtual mailboxes for San Jose residents and small businesses — what each one is actually for, how they differ, and how to pick.
Read the guide → - Notary Public
Notarize a Travel Consent Letter for a Minor in San Jose
How to notarize a child's travel consent letter in San Jose — who needs to sign, what IDs to bring, which countries require it, and where to walk in without an appointment.
Read the guide →
Still have questions? We're happy to help.
Mailbox Plus is a family-owned shop on McKee Road in San Jose. Walk in during store hours or call us directly.