Florida documents are apostilled by the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee. Whether the record is a Miami-Dade birth certificate, an Orlando marriage licence, or a power of attorney notarized by a Florida notary, Tallahassee is where it has to go.
Florida sees an unusually high volume of apostille requests because of how international the state is. Dual citizenship applications, property transactions in Latin America and Europe, and residency paperwork all run through Florida records constantly.
Florida vital records come from the Florida Department of Health, either the state office or a county health department. Both issue certified copies that can be apostilled, provided the copy carries the official seal. Older records and those issued for informational purposes only are the usual problem cases.
We handle Florida orders mail-in. Send us the document, or have us retrieve a certified copy if what you have will not be accepted, and we take it from there.
At a glance
Florida documents we handle most
| Document | Where it comes from | Notarization |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | FL Dept. of Health | Not required |
| Marriage certificate | County clerk of court | Not required |
| Death certificate | FL Dept. of Health | Not required |
| Divorce decree | Clerk of the circuit court | Not required, needs court seal |
| Power of attorney | You | Required, Florida notary |
| Single status affidavit | You | Required, Florida notary |
| Corporate records | Florida Division of Corporations | Depends on the document |
Florida-specific things worth knowing
- Informational copies are not accepted. Florida issues some vital records marked as not valid for establishing identity. Those cannot be apostilled.
- Marriage certificates come from the county clerk of court, not the Department of Health, which trips people up.
- The notary must be Florida-commissioned for a Florida apostille on a private document.
- Latin America is the most common destination, and most of those countries require a certified Spanish or Portuguese translation.
- Court documents need the clerk’s certification and seal before the state will apostille them.
How it works
Step 1
Mail us the document
Send your certified copy, or ask us to retrieve one from the Florida Department of Health or the relevant county.
Step 2
We verify it first
We check it is a certified copy with the correct seal, and not an informational copy, before it goes to Tallahassee.
Step 3
Department of State apostille
We submit and pay the state fee, which is included in your price.
Step 4
Back to you
Shipped tracked and insured, or scanned and emailed as soon as it is issued.
Florida Apostille: common questions
What is an informational copy and why does it matter?
Florida issues some vital records stamped as not valid for establishing identity. They look official but cannot be apostilled. You need a full certified copy. If you are unsure which you have, send a photo through the free review.
Where do I get a Florida marriage certificate?
From the clerk of court in the county where the licence was issued, not the Department of Health. We can retrieve it for you if that is easier.
Do I need a translation for Latin America?
Usually yes. Most Spanish-speaking destinations expect a certified translation, and some require a sworn translator. We offer certified and sworn translation with the apostille.
Do I have to be in Florida?
No. Mail the document to us from anywhere in the country, or abroad. Only the document needs to reach Florida.
How long does a Florida apostille take?
Typically four to seven business days once we have a correct document, plus shipping. See processing times.
Official sources
Requirements, fees and processing times are set by the authorities below and can change without notice. Verify anything time-critical directly with them.
Florida apostille and notarial certification · Florida apostille FAQ
Ready to get started?
Book online for an exact price including the Florida state fee.
Related: Texas apostille · Marriage certificate · Single status affidavit · Certified translation