Florida Apostille Services — Birth, Marriage, Diplomas, FBI & Business | Complete Guide for 2026

If you plan to use a Florida-issued document abroad — whether that’s a Miami birth certificate, an Orlando marriage license, a University of Florida diploma, a Tampa court order, a Jacksonville business filing, or a notarized power of attorney in Fort Lauderdale — you’ll likely be asked for an apostille. An apostille authenticates the signature or seal so your document is legally accepted in countries that participate in the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. This Florida guide is written for real-life use cases: visas and residency, study and employment abroad, adoption and marriage registrations, dual citizenship dossiers, cross-border banking, property and inheritance, and multinational corporate setups.

The content below is intentionally optimized for local SEO search behavior across Florida — queries such as “Florida apostille services,” “apostille Tallahassee,” “apostille Miami,” “Florida Secretary of State apostille,” “apostille near me Florida,” and document-type searches like birth certificate apostille, marriage certificate apostille, divorce decree apostille, death certificate apostille, diplomas & transcripts apostille, and power of attorney & notarized documents apostille. We explain the difference between state vs. federal apostilles, detail document readiness, and show how to achieve the fastest lawful turnaround — often ~24 hours for many Florida state documents — with same-day scans included and original shipping optional.

Quick Answer

Authority: The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee issues apostilles for Florida-origin documents — vital records, court-certified copies, notarized documents executed by a Florida notary, registrar-verified academic records, and business filings certified by the state. Federal documents — like an FBI Identity History Summary or IRS letters — are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Rule of thumb: follow the issuer.

Speed: DIY mail-in typically takes weeks and is vulnerable to returns. With readiness and in-person filing, many Florida state apostilles can be completed in ~24 hours. We provide a same-day scan upon issuance; original shipping is optional.

Flat Rate: $145 per document — government fees included. Scans always included. U.S. shipping is $20 (optional). International shipping available by quote.

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is a standardized, internationally recognized certificate used by countries that participate in the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. It authenticates the signature, seal, or capacity of the official who signed your document — it does not change the content itself. If your destination is a Hague country (e.g., Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, South Korea), an apostille is usually the final step. For non-Hague destinations (e.g., China, UAE, Qatar, Vietnam), the path is authentication + consular legalization instead of a Hague apostille.

Who Issues Apostilles in Florida?

The Florida Department of State issues apostilles for Florida documents, including:

• Vital records — certified Florida birth certificate apostille, marriage certificate apostille, death certificate apostille, and divorce decree apostille.
• Court documents — certified judgments, adoption orders, name changes, and probate records.
• Notarized documents — powers of attorney & notarized affidavits apostille executed by a Florida notary public.
• Education records — registrar-verified diplomas & transcripts apostille (UF, FSU, UCF, USF, FIU, FAU, UNF, FGCU, UWF, FAMU, Nova Southeastern, Stetson, Rollins, Barry, Embry-Riddle, Lynn, Florida Tech, Jacksonville University, etc.).
• Business records — certified copies of Articles, Good Standing, and resolutions issued via the Division of Corporations for international banking and registrations.

Federal documents (like an FBI background check) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Florida Department of State.

When You’ll Need an Apostille

• Visas & immigration — apostilled birth certificates, marriage certificates, and a federal apostille for the FBI background check.
• Study & teaching abroad — apostilled diplomas & transcripts (UF, FSU, UCF, USF, FIU, FAU, etc.).
• Marriage or adoption abroad — apostilled vital records, single-status affidavits, and notarized POAs.
• Dual citizenship — apostilled birth and death certificates, and court orders for consulates.
• Corporate & banking — apostilled Articles, Good Standing, board resolutions, and corporate POAs for overseas accounts and subsidiaries.
• Property & inheritance — apostilled court orders and death certificates for cross-border estates.

Your Options at a Glance: DIY vs. Expedited

Factor	DIY Mail-In	Our Expedited Service
Typical Timeline	~2–6+ weeks; returns add weeks	As fast as ~24 hours for many FL state docs (with readiness)
Risk of Rejection	Higher — wrong authority, stale copies, notary errors	Lower — expert pre-check, correct routing, compliant packaging
Status Visibility	Low — limited after mailing	High — proactive monitoring + same-day scan when issued
Effort Required	You research, assemble, mail, track, and re-mail	We review, file in person (state/federal), monitor, scan, and (optionally) ship
Best For	Flexible timelines, experienced DIYers	Deadlines, consular appointments, onboarding, corporate closings

Pricing & ETA (Scans Included, Shipping Optional)

Document Readiness: Florida Requirements

A successful apostille hinges on readiness. The Florida Department of State (and foreign authorities) require documents to be in the correct format before an apostille can be attached. Here’s what “apostille-ready” typically means in Florida.

Vital Records (Birth, Marriage/Divorce, Death)

Use certified copies — not scans or photocopies — issued by the proper Florida office. Long-form versions are preferred by many consulates. If you need a Florida birth certificate apostille, ensure the certificate is recent, legible, and bears the correct seal/signature. The same applies to a marriage certificate apostille, a divorce decree apostille, and a death certificate apostille.

Court Documents

Florida court orders and judgments must be certified by the clerk with original seals and signatures. Plain docket printouts or e-downloads without clerk certification are typically rejected.

Notarized Documents

Powers of attorney, affidavits, parental consents, corporate resolutions, and authorization letters must be properly notarized by a Florida notary. That means complete certificate wording, venue, date, signature, printed name, commission details, and seal. If the destination country is strict on notarial format, we align it before filing. See our POA & notarized documents apostille guide.

Education Records

Universities and colleges (UF, FSU, UCF, USF, FIU, FAU, UNF, UWF, FGCU, FAMU, Nova Southeastern, Stetson, Rollins, Barry, Embry-Riddle, Florida Tech, Jacksonville University, Lynn, etc.) often require a registrar verification letter or a sealed packet prior to apostille. We coordinate campus steps, then complete the diplomas & transcripts apostille through the Florida Department of State.

Business & Trade

For overseas banking and corporate registrations, you may need certified copies of Articles, Good Standing, board resolutions, and corporate POAs. We obtain certified copies and assemble the packet in the order and format the receiving authority expects.

Step-by-Step: Florida Apostille Process

High-level overview; we preserve client privacy and proprietary workflows.

1. Identify the issuer — Florida issuer/notary → Florida Department of State; U.S. federal issuer → U.S. Department of State (D.C.).
2. Readiness check — Certified copies (vital/court), compliant notary wording, registrar verifications, and destination pathway (Hague vs. non-Hague).
3. Submission — We file in person with the Florida Department of State for state documents and with the U.S. Department of State for federal documents.
4. Monitoring — We track status, prevent re-mail cycles, and resolve minor issues quickly.
5. Issuance & delivery — We send a same-day scan when your apostille is issued; original shipping is optional ($20 U.S.; international by quote).

Document Playbooks (Vital, Academic, Notarized, Corporate, Court, Federal/FBI)

Birth Certificate Apostille (Florida)

For dual citizenship, immigration, school enrollment, marriage registration, or foreign residency, obtain a certified birth certificate first. We then file for a Florida birth certificate apostille and provide a same-day scan upon issuance.

Marriage Certificate Apostille (Florida)

For spousal visas, foreign marriage registries, or name changes, request a certified marriage certificate. We complete the marriage certificate apostille with the Department of State and email a same-day scan.

Divorce Decree Apostille (Florida)

For remarriage, custody, or inheritance matters abroad, secure a court-certified copy of your divorce decree and we’ll obtain the divorce decree apostille.

Death Certificate Apostille (Florida)

Estate and insurance matters often require a death certificate apostille. Only certified copies qualify; we file in person and provide a same-day scan when issued.

Diplomas & Transcripts Apostille (Florida)

Foreign employers and ministries of education often require apostilled diplomas & transcripts. We arrange the registrar verification for UF, FSU, UCF, USF, FIU, FAU, UNF, UWF, FGCU, FAMU, etc., then file with the Florida Department of State.

Notarized Affidavits & POAs (Florida)

Real estate, banking, adoption, or business representation abroad often hinges on clean notarization. We pre-check notary blocks and then obtain the POA & notarized documents apostille.

Corporate Records (Florida)

Florida companies and out-of-state companies registered in Florida frequently need apostilled Articles, Certificates of Status/Good Standing, board resolutions, and corporate POAs to open foreign bank accounts, form subsidiaries, sign cross-border agreements, or tender for projects. We source certified copies, sequence the packet correctly, and obtain the apostille.

FBI Background Check (Federal Apostille)

The FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document; Florida cannot apostille it. We submit to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., relay a same-day scan upon issuance, and ship the original only if requested.

Florida Use Cases & Scenarios

• Miami families applying for EU residency — apostilled birth certificates, marriage certificates, and FBI apostille.
• UCF and USF graduates teaching in Asia — apostilled diplomas & transcripts plus federal FBI apostille for work visas.
• Tampa/St. Pete businesses opening EU accounts — apostilled Articles, Good Standing, board resolutions, and corporate POA.
• Orlando marriages registered overseas — marriage certificate apostille and single-status affidavits.
• Inheritance matters with property in Latin America — apostilled court orders and death certificates.

Florida Cities We Serve

We support clients statewide — urban, suburban, coastal, and rural — via secure intake, in-person filing, same-day scans, and optional shipping. Frequent service areas include:

• Miami, Miami Beach, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Doral, Kendall
• Orlando, Winter Park, Kissimmee, Altamonte Springs, Sanford
• Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview
• Jacksonville, Orange Park, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra
• Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Weston, Miramar
• West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Jupiter
• Gainesville, Ocala, The Villages, Lake City
• Tallahassee, Panama City, Pensacola, Destin, Fort Walton Beach
• Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island
• Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, North Port
• Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna Beach
• Lakeland, Winter Haven, Plant City
• Palm Bay, Melbourne, Viera, Titusville
• Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Stuart
• Key West, Marathon, Key Largo (Florida Keys)
• Space Coast, Treasure Coast, Nature Coast & beyond

County & Campus Coverage (All 67 Counties)

We process Florida apostilles across all 67 counties, including: Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough, Orange, Duval, Pinellas, Polk, Lee, Pasco, Volusia, Brevard, Seminole, Sarasota, Manatee, Collier, Osceola, Lake, Marion, Escambia, Leon, Alachua, Bay, St. Lucie, Clay, Hernando, Okaloosa, Charlotte, Santa Rosa, Citrus, Indian River, Sumter, Highlands, Nassau, Putnam, Flagler, Walton, Columbia, Gadsden, St. Johns, Suwannee, Jackson, Okeechobee, Martin, Washington, Baker, Levy, Holmes, DeSoto, Gilchrist, Bradford, Hendry, Taylor, Madison, Union, Wakulla, Jefferson, Dixie, Glades, Franklin, Hamilton, Lafayette, Hardee, Calhoun, Liberty, Monroe.

Campus work spans Florida’s major universities and colleges:

• University of Florida (UF) — Gainesville
• Florida State University (FSU) — Tallahassee
• University of Central Florida (UCF) — Orlando
• University of South Florida (USF) — Tampa/St. Pete
• Florida International University (FIU) — Miami
• Florida Atlantic University (FAU) — Boca Raton
• University of North Florida (UNF) — Jacksonville
• University of West Florida (UWF) — Pensacola
• Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) — Fort Myers
• Florida A&M University (FAMU) — Tallahassee
• Nova Southeastern University — Fort Lauderdale
• Stetson University — DeLand/Gulfport
• Rollins College — Winter Park
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University — Daytona Beach
• Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) — Melbourne
• Jacksonville University — Jacksonville
• Barry University — Miami Shores
• Lynn University — Boca Raton
• Keiser University — statewide campuses
• State colleges and community colleges across Florida

Hague vs. Non-Hague: Embassy Legalization Path

If your destination is a Hague member, a Florida apostille is generally the last step. For non-Hague countries, documents follow an authentication path (state or federal) followed by embassy/consular legalization. Requirements vary by country, document type, and sometimes by the receiving authority (e.g., a ministry of justice vs. a ministry of education). We map the exact sequence and, if needed, coordinate certified translations in the correct order (some countries require translations after apostille; others accept them before).

Real-World Timelines, Risks & Contingencies

Government workloads fluctuate — especially around travel seasons and academic deadlines. With DIY mail-in, small errors can cause long delays: wrong fees, outdated certificates, incomplete notary wording, or missing registrar steps. To protect your timeline:

• Front-load readiness — obtain recent certified copies, ensure notary blocks are complete, get registrar verification for diplomas & transcripts.
• In-person filing — essential if you have fixed consular appointments, onboarding dates, or school start windows.
• Leverage scans — many consulates, banks, and universities will pre-process from our same-day scan while the original ships.
• Parallel tracks — if you need both state and federal apostilles, we run them simultaneously to compress the calendar.

Top Mistakes to Avoid in Florida

• Wrong authority — Sending an FBI report to the Florida Department of State or sending a Florida vital record to the U.S. Department of State. Match issuer to authority: birth, marriage, divorce, death, diplomas & transcripts, POAs & affidavits.
• Uncertified/old copies — Photocopies or stale vital records are common rejection reasons. Get fresh certified copies.
• Notary defects — Missing seal, wrong venue, incomplete certificate, or remote notarization not accepted by the destination. Use Florida-compliant verbiage; we can supply a model notary certificate upon request.
• Skipping registrar steps — University records without a registrar letter or sealed packet are frequently bounced. Follow the academic apostille workflow.
• No destination check — Hague vs. non-Hague determines whether you need an apostille or authentication + legalization; the sequence differs.
• Late starts — Mail cycles plus re-mailing can derail visas and school start dates. In-person filing reduces this risk.

Readiness Checklist (Florida)

• Is your document state-level (Florida) or federal (U.S. agency)?
• For vital/court records, do you have a certified copy (not a photocopy)? Start here if not: birth certificate apostille, marriage certificate apostille, divorce decree apostille, death certificate apostille.
• For notarized items, is the notarization Florida-compliant (venue, date, signature, printed name, commission, seal)? See POA & notarized documents apostille.
• For academic records, has the registrar provided the required letter or sealed packet? See diplomas & transcripts apostille.
• Is the destination Hague (apostille) or non-Hague (authentication + legalization)?
• Do you have a deadline (visa appointment, onboarding, school start) that justifies in-person filing and proactive monitoring?

Frequently Asked Questions (Florida Apostille)

Who issues apostilles for Florida documents?

The Florida Department of State issues apostilles for Florida-origin documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, court orders, diplomas & transcripts, and notarized POAs & affidavits.

Can Florida apostille my FBI background check?

No. The FBI Identity History Summary is a federal record and must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

How fast can a Florida apostille be completed?

DIY mail-in can take weeks. With readiness and in-person filing, ~24 hours is possible for many state documents (vital, court-certified, notarized, registrar-verified). We send a same-day scan upon issuance; shipping is optional.

Do apostilles expire?

The apostille certificate itself does not expire, but many consulates and universities prefer recent issuance (often within 90 days). If timing matters, expedite.

Is shipping required?

No. Shipping is optional. We always provide a same-day scan. U.S. shipping is $20; international shipping is quoted.

Can you handle multiple documents at once?

Yes. We can run parallel tracks for state and federal items and return same-day scans as each completes.

Do you provide certified translations?

Yes — when required by the destination. We’ll confirm whether translation must occur before or after apostille to comply with local rules.

Are you a government office?

No. We’re a private expert service that prepares, files, monitors, and delivers apostilles end-to-end (state and federal), with same-day scans and optional shipping included in our workflow.

Mini-Glossary

• Apostille — A Hague-recognized certificate that authenticates a public document’s signature/seal/capacity for use abroad.
• Certified Copy — An official copy issued by the proper agency or court with seal/signature; not a photocopy.
• Authentication — The path used for non-Hague destinations prior to consular legalization.
• Consular Legalization — Certification by a foreign embassy/consulate for non-Hague acceptance.
• Registrar Verification — A school registrar confirms academic records to enable apostille.
• RON — Remote Online Notarization; acceptance varies by destination. When in doubt, use traditional in-person notarization.

Related Guides & Tools

• Birth Certificate Apostille
• Marriage Certificate Apostille
• Divorce Decree Apostille
• Death Certificate Apostille
• Academic Diplomas & Transcripts Apostille
• Power of Attorney & Notarized Documents Apostille

Disclaimer: Requirements and timelines can change without notice. We base our guidance on current practices of the Florida Department of State and the U.S. Department of State at the time of your order.