Federal vs. State: Florida Nuances
The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee processes all apostilles for documents originating within the Sunshine State. A critical requirement unique to Florida is that documents must either be certified copies issued by a state agency (such as the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics for birth certificates) or properly notarized by a Florida Notary Public. Notably, Florida does not require intermediate county clerk authentication for notarized documents, unlike New York. However, any document written in a foreign language must be translated into English, and the translator's signature must be notarized before the state will issue an apostille. Our team handles this exact translation-notarization sequence to ensure state acceptance.
Florida Apostille & Authentication
Guaranteed reliable document legalization for Miami, Orlando, and Tampa residents directly through the Division of Corporations in Tallahassee.
- Real Estate Closings: Specializing in apostilled powers of attorney and deeds for international property transactions involving South American and European buyers.
- Vital Statistics: Direct procurement and authentication of Florida marriage licenses, birth certificates, and death certificates for international use.
- Corporate Good Standing: Expediting Certificates of Status from the Division of Corporations for Florida LLCs expanding overseas.
| Document Category | Issuing Authority | Expected Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| State Vital Records | Bureau of Vital Statistics | 2-4 Days |
| County Court Documents | Clerk of the Circuit Court | 3-6 Days |
| Private Notarized Docs | Florida Notary Public | 2-4 Days |