How to Get an Apostille in Florida

Educational information, not legal advice. Fees, addresses and processing times reflect the Florida Department of State and can change. Confirm current details on the official dos.fl.gov page before you mail anything.

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How long does a Florida apostille take?

A Florida apostille by mail takes 25 to 35 business days from the day the Department of State receives it, and that is processing time only, so mail transit in each direction pushes the realistic total to roughly six to nine calendar weeks. This is the detail that catches people out, because Florida is one of the slowest states and offers no expedited or rush option under any circumstance. The one fast route is in person: documents dropped off at the Tallahassee office are collected the next business day. That gap between weeks and a day is why most people with a deadline either travel to Tallahassee or use a courier who submits in person on their behalf. Plan around the mail timeline, not against it.

Who issues apostilles in Florida?

Apostilles in Florida are issued by the Department of State, Division of Corporations, through its Apostille Section in Tallahassee. The office authenticates the signature of a Florida notary or public official, issuing an apostille for Hague Convention countries and a certification for the rest. It handles Florida documents only, so a Florida-notarized power of attorney, a vital record signed by the State Registrar, or a document certified by a Florida Clerk of the Court all qualify. A private document must be notarized by a Florida notary first, because the state authenticates that notary's commission. Federal documents and out-of-state documents go elsewhere.

How much does a Florida apostille cost?

A Florida apostille costs $10 per notarized document, while a document certified by a Florida Clerk of the Court costs $20, which reflects a combined apostille and certificate of incumbency. Payment is by check or money order only, drawn on a U.S. bank and made payable to the Department of State; the office does not accept cash or credit cards. That payment rule alone causes rejected requests when people assume they can pay by card. Budget the state fee separately from any courier or service charge. Confirm the current fees before submitting, since they can change.

How do you get a Florida apostille, step by step?

You prepare the Florida document, include a check and return postage, and submit it to Tallahassee. The route below is the standard process.

1. Get the right document: Florida-notarized, a State Registrar vital record, or a Clerk of the Court certified copy.
2. Complete the request form: name the destination country.
3. Prepare payment and return postage: $10 per notarized document by check or money order, plus a self-addressed stamped envelope or prepaid air bill.
4. Choose mail or in person: mail to the P.O. Box, or drop off at the physical office for next-business-day return.
5. Receive it: 25 to 35 business days by mail; next business day in person.

Can Florida apostille an FBI background check?

No, Florida cannot apostille an FBI background check, because it is a federal document authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Mailing a federal report to Tallahassee means it comes back unprocessed, and with Florida's timelines that lost round trip is expensive in weeks. The Department of State handles documents issued or notarized in Florida, such as a Florida birth certificate or a power of attorney notarized by a Florida notary. A Florida criminal background check from state law enforcement follows its own path, and documents from other states go to their own authority.

By the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Section (Authentications, dos.fl.gov). Confirm current fees and processing times before relying on this.