Florida Apostille Guide · Step 01 of 06
Choose the Correct Authority
Do I Need a Florida Apostille or a Federal Apostille?
Florida-issued and properly Florida-notarized documents generally follow the Florida process. Federal records follow the federal process, while records from another state generally go to that state.
Florida apostille
For eligible Florida public records and documents properly notarized by a commissioned Florida notary.
Federal apostille
For federal records such as FBI background checks and documents issued by federal agencies.
FBI Background Check ApostilleAnother state
A record issued or notarized outside Florida generally must be submitted to the issuing state.
Florida Apostille Guide · Step 02 of 06
Confirm the Destination Country
Does the Destination Country Accept a Hague Apostille?
An apostille is used when the Apostille Convention applies between the issuing country and the destination. If it does not apply, authentication and embassy or consular legalization may be required instead.
Convention applies
Hague country
A qualifying Florida document will generally need a Florida apostille. Embassy or consular legalization is normally not required under the Convention.
Convention does not apply
Non-Hague country
An apostille is not the correct final process. State authentication, federal authentication, and embassy or consular legalization may be required.
Florida Apostille Guide · Step 03 of 06
Identify Your Document and Correct Version
Do I Need the Original Document or a Certified Copy?
Florida public records generally require an original certified copy. Private documents generally require the original properly notarized document; a plain photocopy is not accepted.
Other document type?
Don’t see your document or aren’t sure what you have?
Florida Apostille Guide · Step 04 of 06
Check Notarization Requirements
Does My Florida Document Need Notarization?
Certified public records use their official certification and normally do not need additional notarization. Private documents generally require a complete Florida notarization.
Usually no additional notarization
- Florida certified birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Certified records issued by a Florida Clerk of Court
- Florida certified corporate copies or certificates of status
- Other eligible public records bearing an official signature and seal
Usually requires notarization
- Power of attorney, affidavit, or sworn statement
- Consent letter, private agreement, or authorization
- Many diplomas, transcripts, and school letters
- Privately prepared corporate documents and translator affidavits
Florida Apostille Guide · Step 05 of 06
Follow the Filing Process
How Do I Get a Florida Apostille Step by Step?
With our filing service, the process begins with a document review before payment and before you mail the original.
- 01Online
Send your document information
Tell us the document type, issuing state, destination country, and deadline.
- 02Review
We verify the route
We check the issuer, certification, notarization, country path, and visible rejection risks.
- 03Payment
Choose a filing option and pay
After confirming the route, choose Standard or Priority Filing and receive a secure payment link.
- 04Mail-in
Receive your Order ID and instructions
After payment, we issue the Order ID and exact Tallahassee mail-in instructions.
- 05Complete
We file and return it
We submit the approved document, monitor the order, and return the completed apostilled document.
Florida Apostille Guide · Step 06 of 06
Review Cost and Timing
How Much Does a Florida Apostille Cost and How Long Does It Take?
Our Standard Filing is $89 with an estimated turnaround of 4–6 weeks. Priority Filing is $175 with an estimated turnaround of about 2 weeks.
Standard filing
Best valueEstimated turnaround: 4–6 weeks
- Initial document review before payment
- Florida apostille government fee included
- Standard U.S. return shipping included
- Standard processing after receipt
- Order and status communication
- English, Spanish, and Russian support
Priority filing
PriorityEstimated turnaround: about 2 weeks
- Initial document review before payment
- Florida apostille government fee included
- Standard U.S. return shipping included
- Priority review and handling after receipt
- Order and status communication
- English, Spanish, and Russian support
Timelines are estimates and may vary by document readiness, mailing time, Florida Department of State processing, holidays, and delivery conditions. Certified translation and international shipping are quoted separately if needed.
Continue to Helpful ResourcesSee a Florida Apostille ExampleHelpful resources
Helpful Florida Apostille Resources
Use these reference sections to see an apostille example, compare direct filing, understand rejection risks, check translation requirements, and find Florida service areas.
Florida apostille certificate
What Does a Florida Apostille Look Like?
A Florida apostille is a separate certificate attached to the underlying document.
What it shows
A standard apostille contains 10 numbered fields.
- Country and document signer
- Signer’s official capacity
- Seal or stamp
- Place and date
- Issuing authority and certificate number
- Seal and signature
Direct filing
Can I Get a Florida Apostille Myself?
Yes. You can submit an eligible document directly to the Florida Department of State.
You are responsible for confirming the correct authority and document version, preparing the payment and prepaid return envelope, tracking the request, and correcting and resubmitting it if necessary.
Florida government fees are generally $10 or $20 per document. Mailing, return shipping, certified copies, notarization, and translation are additional when required. Florida DOS does not offer an expedited service.
Official Florida Apostille Resources
Planning to file directly? Check the current government requirements and confirm that the Apostille Convention applies to the destination country.
Florida DOS Filing Instructions
Review eligible documents, government fees, payment methods, filing requirements, and return-envelope instructions.
View Official Instructions Official country checkCheck the Destination Country
Confirm whether the Apostille Convention applies to the destination country before submitting the document.
Check Hague StatusGovernment requirements and forms may change. Confirm the current instructions before mailing your document.
Prefer assistance?
Need help with your Florida apostille filing?
Avoid another queue
Why Are Florida Apostille Requests Rejected?
Most failures are small on the page and expensive on the calendar.
- Plain photocopy instead of the required certified record
- Incomplete notarial wording or missing venue
- Missing signature, stamp, seal, or commission details
- Document issued by another state or federal authority
- School, court, or corporate certification is incomplete
- Notary commission is expired or cannot be verified
- Destination requires legalization instead of apostille
- Incorrect payment, form, or return-delivery details
Language requirements
Do I Need a Certified Translation?
Some recipients require a translation of the document, the apostille certificate, or both.
Ask the recipient
Confirm whether to translate the document, apostille, or both.
Choose the order
The recipient may require apostille first, then translation.
Prepare correctly
A translator statement may need notarization or separate authentication.
Corporate Member of the American Translators Association
Corporate membership is not an ATA endorsement and is not the same as claiming every translator is ATA-certified.
Florida mail-in coverage
Florida Apostille Service Near You
Start online from anywhere in Florida and mail the approved original only after receiving instructions.
Direct answers
Florida Apostille Questions
Short answers to common questions before mailing an original document.
01Who issues apostilles in Florida?
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The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee is the only authority that issues Florida apostilles. Apostille Center USA is a private filing service.
02What documents can be apostilled in Florida?
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Eligible documents generally include Florida certified vital records, certified court records, Florida corporate records, and original documents properly notarized by a commissioned Florida notary.
03Do I need the original or a certified copy?
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Public records normally require an original certified copy. Private documents normally require the original properly notarized document.
04Can I apostille a photocopy?
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A plain photocopy is not acceptable. A notarized photocopy cannot replace an official certified copy of a vital or public record.
05How much does a Florida apostille cost?
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Our service starts at $89 for Standard Filing and $175 for Priority Filing. The applicable Florida government fee and standard U.S. return shipping are included.
06When do I pay?
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After the initial review confirms the correct route and preparation, you choose Standard or Priority Filing and receive a secure payment link. After payment, we issue the Order ID and mailing instructions.
07How long does it take?
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Estimated turnaround is 4–6 weeks for Standard Filing and about 2 weeks for Priority Filing. Timelines vary by readiness, mailing, state processing, holidays, and delivery conditions.
08Do I need to travel to Tallahassee?
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No. Begin with an online review. After the document is approved, you receive your Order ID and the correct document-specific mailing instructions.
09Florida apostille or federal apostille?
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Florida-issued and properly Florida-notarized documents generally follow the Florida process. Federal documents, including FBI background checks, follow a federal route.
10Do I need a certified translation?
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Some recipients require a certified translation of the underlying document, the attached apostille certificate, or both. Confirm the required language and format with the receiving authority.
