The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Getting an Apostille in Miami

Getting an apostille in Miami is straightforward when you know the steps. This guide covers the complete process from start to finish — what to prepare, where documents go, how long it takes, and what to do when things get complicated.

Before You Start: Know Your Document

The apostille process differs depending on your document type. Before doing anything else, identify:

• Is it a government-issued document? (birth certificate, marriage certificate, court record, corporate filing) → Goes directly to apostille, no notarization needed.
• Is it a privately-issued document? (diploma, power of attorney, affidavit, corporate resolution) → Must be notarized before apostille.
• Was it issued by a Florida authority or a federal authority? Florida documents → Florida Secretary of State. Federal documents → US Department of State.

Step 1: Send Your Document for a Free Review

Email or WhatsApp a scan of your document to Miami Dade Apostille. We review it at no charge and confirm: the correct apostille authority, whether notarization is required, whether a certified copy is needed, estimated processing time, and total cost. This step prevents the most common errors before they happen.

Step 2: Obtain a Certified Copy (if needed)

If you need a certified copy of a Florida vital record (birth, marriage, death certificate), Miami Dade Apostille can coordinate obtaining one from the Florida Department of Health or the relevant county clerk. This typically takes 5–10 business days.

Step 3: Notarize (if required)

If your document requires notarization, Miami Dade Apostille can coordinate this — including remote online notarization (RON) for clients who cannot visit our office. RON allows you to have documents notarized via video conference from anywhere in the world.

Step 4: Submit for Apostille

Miami Dade Apostille prepares the complete submission package and submits to the Florida Secretary of State or US Department of State. Standard processing takes 3–5 business days. Expedited same-day and next-day processing is available for urgent requests.

Step 5: Translation (if required)

If your destination country requires the document in its official language, Miami Dade Apostille coordinates certified translation. In some cases, the translation itself must also be apostilled — we handle this as well.

Step 6: Receive Your Apostilled Document

Miami Dade Apostille verifies the apostille and returns the document to you by your preferred method — in-person pickup, USPS mail, overnight courier, or international shipping. The apostilled document is ready for use in any Hague Convention member country.

Emergency and Same-Day Service

Miami Dade Apostille offers 24-hour emergency apostille service for urgent requests. Call us at 1-800-631-9171 to discuss your timeline.

Ready to move forward? Book an appointment or call us at 1-800-631-9171.