Document Preparation Tips for Florida Apostille

The apostille process can be easy if the document meets all the Florida Department of State requirements. However, your request can be delayed or even rejected if anything is missing or incorrect. That’s why proper preparation is necessary. This article provides an overview of how to prepare documents, what the state requires, and how to ensure your paperwork is accepted without issues.

Florida vital records are some of the most commonly apostilled documents, especially when traveling or moving abroad. They provide information about important life events, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (also known as dissolution of marriage).

To complete an apostille on Florida's vital records, you must ensure that your document was issued in the last five years. If not, you need to obtain the certified copies of it.

The state registrar must sign a birth or death certificate from Florida to apostille it. If not, you must obtain a certified copy from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics or a County Health Department.

You must obtain certified copies of marriage and divorce certificates from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics or the Clerk of the County Courts. These records must contain the signature of the appropriate state or county official. If you don’t have a recent or valid copy, you can order a certified one directly from the issuing office.

You can easily request Florida vital records from anywhere in the U.S. using services like VitalChek. These services allow you to obtain certified copies online without needing to visit an office in person.

Apart from vital records, other documents often require apostilles in Florida. Schools issue educational records like transcripts and diplomas; individuals own vehicle titles; businesses create documents such as Articles of Incorporation or Certificates of Status; and individuals notarize personal legal documents. Each document has specific requirements, so you should confirm what’s needed with your requesting agency or destination country and prepare everything in advance.

An authorized Florida notary public verifies the authenticity and signature of a document during the notarization process. The notary then includes a notarial certificate and their seal to confirm that they properly executed the document. Once the notary notarizes certain documents, they become eligible for an apostille.

No. Florida notaries cannot issue apostilles. Only the Florida Department of State can do so.
However, a Florida notary can notarize documents that need to be apostilled. Proper notarization often requires you to complete this step before you submit your document to the Department of State.

In Florida, authorities will only accept notarized documents for apostille if they:

• Include a complete notarial certificate in English
• Follow all Florida notary laws 
• Clearly show the notary’s signature, venue, date, and seal

Some agencies cannot notarize certain documents, such as vital records or certified government documents. These agencies must submit them as certified copies from the issuing agency.

Citizens of Florida may need an apostille for various reasons, from moving abroad to applying for school or work in a different country. Below are specific requirements based on document type:

1. Educational Documents
A school registrar or official must sign educational documents, which a notary must notarize with a full notarial certificate. If the institution is private, the student must provide a sworn statement declaring the document is a true copy, which a notary can then notarize.
2. Vehicle Titles
To apostille a vehicle title, you must obtain a certified copy from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and submit the original certified copy along with your apostille request.
3. Other Certified Copies
You can apostille documents like business records, court orders, or government-issued licenses if you obtain the certified copy from the issuing authority, such as the Florida Department of State.

Once you prepare your documents, the final step is to complete the Florida Apostille Request Form. You can find this form on the official website of the Florida Department of State. Be sure to carefully fill out all the required information and include a prepaid, self-addressed return envelope. Also, don’t forget to pay the appropriate fee. If you do not complete the form correctly or miss required information in your documents, they may delay or reject your application.

Preparing your documents for a Florida apostille doesn’t have to be stressful. You can complete the process smoothly and confidently with the correct information and a little attention to detail. You can also work with a third-party apostille service to make the process even easier. These services handle everything for you, ensuring documents are prepared correctly and submitted on time. Globeia is a reputable company in the U.S. that helps individuals and businesses complete the Florida apostille process from start to finish, all without leaving your home.