Apostille Regulations in Florida: What You Need to Know

Florida is one of the most active states for apostille processing in the United States, driven by its large international population, robust trade relationships with Latin America and Europe, and high volume of immigration-related document requests. Understanding how Florida's apostille regulations work — and where the common pitfalls are — saves time and prevents costly rejections.

Related: Florida apostille services overview

Who Issues Apostilles in Florida?

The Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, is the sole authority for issuing apostilles on Florida-issued documents. The office is located in Tallahassee. Documents must be submitted to this office — either in person, by mail, or through an authorized agent — for apostille processing.

Which Documents Can Be Apostilled in Florida?

Only documents issued by Florida state or local government authorities — or documents notarized by a Florida notary public — can be apostilled by the Florida Secretary of State. Common examples:

• Florida birth, marriage, and death certificates (issued by the Florida Department of Health)
• Florida court records and judgments
• Florida corporate documents (certificates of good standing, articles of incorporation)
• Documents notarized by a Florida notary public (diplomas, powers of attorney, affidavits)
• Florida driver's licenses and ID records (in certain circumstances)

Which Documents Cannot Be Apostilled in Florida?

Documents issued by federal agencies — the FBI, US Department of State, federal courts, USPTO, IRS, and others — must be apostilled by the US Department of State, not the Florida Secretary of State. This is a common source of error. Submitting a federal document to the Florida Secretary of State results in rejection.

Turnaround Times

The Florida Secretary of State's office processes apostilles on a first-come, first-served basis. Standard processing typically takes 3–5 business days from receipt. Expedited processing (same-day or next-day) is available for an additional fee when submitted in person or through an authorized agent. Miami Dade Apostille offers expedited processing for urgent requests — including 24-hour emergency service.

Remote Online Notarization and Florida Apostilles

Florida was among the first states to authorize remote online notarization (RON). Documents notarized by a Florida RON notary can be apostilled by the Florida Secretary of State, the same as documents notarized in person. This allows clients anywhere in the world to have documents notarized and apostilled without traveling to Florida. Learn more about remote online notarization.

Florida Vital Records and Apostilles

Florida birth and death certificates must be certified copies issued by the Florida Department of Health before they can be apostilled. Photocopies, hospital-issued certificates, and informational copies are not acceptable. If you do not have a certified copy, Miami Dade Apostille can coordinate obtaining one before apostille submission.

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