How Fast Can You Get an Apostille in Miami?

Speed is one of the most common concerns when requesting an apostille. Whether you have a visa appointment in two weeks or a flight tomorrow, understanding realistic turnaround times — and what can accelerate or delay them — helps you plan accurately.

Standard Processing: 3–5 Business Days

For Florida-issued documents submitted to the Florida Secretary of State, standard processing takes 3–5 business days from the date of submission. This covers the most common apostille requests: birth certificates, marriage certificates, notarized documents, corporate documents, and court records.

Miami Dade Apostille submits documents directly to the Florida Secretary of State's office in Tallahassee. Standard turnaround from the time you drop off or send your document to us is typically 3–5 business days total, including our preparation and submission time.

Expedited Processing: Same Day or Next Day

For urgent requests, Miami Dade Apostille offers expedited processing. Depending on the document type and the authority involved, same-day and next-day apostille processing is available for Florida documents. Call us at 1-800-631-9171 to confirm availability for your specific document.

Emergency Service: 24 Hours

For genuine emergencies — a visa appointment tomorrow, a last-minute travel requirement, an urgent legal proceeding — Miami Dade Apostille offers 24-hour emergency apostille service. Emergency appointments are available by request. Call us immediately at 1-800-631-9171 or message us on WhatsApp.

Federal Documents: Longer Timelines

Federal documents — FBI background checks, federal court records, naturalization certificates — are apostilled by the US Department of State, not the Florida Secretary of State. Standard processing at the US Department of State takes 6–8 weeks by mail. In-person submission in Washington, DC takes 1–5 business days. Miami Dade Apostille coordinates in-person federal submissions for clients with urgent timelines.

What Can Delay Your Apostille

• Document condition: Damaged, faded, or unofficial copies are rejected. Always use certified copies from the issuing agency.
• Missing notarization: Privately-issued documents (diplomas, affidavits) must be notarized before apostille. Missing this step adds 1–2 days.
• Wrong authority: Submitting a federal document to the Florida Secretary of State results in rejection and lost time. Miami Dade Apostille's free review catches this before submission.
• High-volume periods: Processing times at the Florida Secretary of State can extend during peak periods. Miami Dade Apostille monitors current processing times and advises accordingly.