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If you need to use a Florida document in another country, chances are someone has already told you it needs to be “apostilled.” Knowing how to get an apostille in Florida can feel confusing the first time — between figuring out which office handles it, whether your document needs notarization first, and how long the process takes. This guide walks through exactly how to get a document apostille in Florida, step by step, plus how to skip the hassle entirely if you’d rather have it handled for you.
An apostille is an official certificate that authenticates a Florida document — such as a birth certificate, power of attorney, or business record — so it’s legally recognized in any of the more than 120 countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention. In Florida, only the Florida Secretary of State, through the Florida Department of State, is authorized to issue apostilles for Florida-issued or Florida-notarized documents.

Quick Answer

To get an apostille in Florida, confirm your document was issued or notarized in Florida, make sure it’s notarized correctly if required, then submit the original or certified copy to the Florida Department of State along with the applicable fee — either by mail, in person in Tallahassee, or through an authorized apostille service that handles submission for you. Processing through the state directly can take several weeks; using a service that submits in person is typically much faster.
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Step-by-Step: How to Apostille a Document in Florida

1. Confirm your document qualifies

Your document must be issued in Florida (like a Florida birth or marriage certificate) or notarized by a Florida-commissioned notary. Documents from other states must go through that state's apostille process instead.

2. Check if it needs notarization first

Documents such as powers of attorney, affidavits, and personal declarations typically must be notarized with the correct notarial wording before they qualify for apostille. Vital records and court documents usually need to be original or certified copies instead.

3. Get certified copies where required

Court documents like divorce decrees generally need Clerk of Court certification, and vital records need a certified copy from the correct Florida issuing office, not a plain photocopy.

4. Submit your document to the Florida Department of State

You can mail your document with the required apostille fee to the Division of Corporations in Tallahassee, or submit it in person if you're able to travel there yourself.

5. Pay the correct state fee

Florida's apostille fee is generally $10 per notarized document and $20 per Clerk of Court-certified document, payable to the Florida Department of State.

6. Wait for processing and return shipping

The state processes apostille requests in the order received and does not offer expedited mail service, so mailed requests can take several weeks depending on volume.

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The Easiest Way to Get an Apostille in Florida

Prefer not to handle the state process yourself? We prepare, submit, and track your apostille request in Tallahassee on your behalf, so you avoid mailing delays and paperwork mistakes.
  • Standard — $199, about 10–12 business days
  • Fast — $249, about 5–7 business days
  • Rush — $299, about 2–3 business days
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What You'll Need Before You Start

  • The original document, or a certified copy issued by the correct Florida office
  • Correct notarial wording and seal, if your document requires notarization
  • Payment for the Florida state apostille fee (or your chosen service's flat rate)
  • Knowledge of your destination country, in case it has specific formatting or translation requirements
  • Time to account for mailing both ways if submitting directly to the state

Documents You Can Apostille in Florida

Most Florida-issued or Florida-notarized documents are eligible, including:

Birth certificates

Marriage Certificates

Business Certificates

Divorce Decrees

Court Orders

Diplomas & Transcripts

Power of Attorney & Affidavits

Articles of Incorporation

Contracts & Corporate Papers

FBI background checks

Other federal documents (via U.S. Department of State)

Travel consent forms

Not sure if your document qualifies? We review it first and let you know exactly what’s needed before you pay.
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Common Mistakes That Delay a Florida Apostille

  • Sending a plain photocopy instead of an original or certified copy
  • Incorrect or missing notarial wording on a notarized document
  • Submitting a court document without the required Clerk of Court certification
  • Mailing the wrong fee amount for the document type
  • Assuming a document from another state can be apostilled in Florida

DIY vs. Using an Apostille Service

Doing It YourselfWhat to Expect
Handling submissionYou mail or hand-deliver the documents yourself
Document reviewYou determine eligibility, certifications, and requirements on your own
Typical timelineSeveral weeks by mail, with no expedited state option
Error handlingAn incorrect submission can delay the process or require you to start again
Best forSimple, non-urgent requests when you are comfortable managing the process yourself
Or let us handle it for you
RECOMMENDED FOR A SIMPLER PROCESS
Using Our Apostille ServiceWhat You Get
Handling submission
✓ We prepare and submit your documents for you in Tallahassee
Document review
✓ Your documents are reviewed before submission to help prevent avoidable delays
Typical timeline
✓ Rush service can be completed in as little as 2–3 business days
Error handling
✓ If an error is made on our end, we correct it at no additional charge
Best for
✓ Urgent deadlines, court documents, business documents, international use, or anyone who wants a smoother process

Let Us Handle the Apostille Process for You

Avoid the guesswork, document errors, and unnecessary delays. We review your documents, prepare the submission, and guide the process from start to finish.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Confirm your document was issued or notarized in Florida, ensure it’s properly notarized or certified if required, and submit it to the Florida Department of State with the correct fee — either yourself or through an authorized apostille service.
If your document requires notarization, such as a power of attorney or affidavit, it must be notarized with the correct wording before it can be apostilled. We offer online notarization starting at $25 per stamp for eligible documents.
Mailing your request directly to the state can take several weeks, since Florida processes requests in the order received with no expedited mail option. Using an apostille service with in-person submission can reduce this to as little as 2–3 business days for rush requests
Yes, you can submit your own document directly to the Florida Department of State by mail or in person in Tallahassee, provided it meets all eligibility and certification requirements.
Notarization verifies a signature on a document, while an apostille authenticates that document for use in another country. Many documents need to be notarized first before they’re eligible for an apostille.

Ready to Get Your Florida Apostille Started?

Whether you handle it yourself or let us take care of it, now you know exactly how to get an apostille in Florida. If you’d rather skip the paperwork, our team can review your document and get the process moving today. We’re a notary and apostille service, not a law firm, so we can’t provide legal advice.
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We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. Our services are limited to document preparation and submission for apostille processing.