FLORIDA · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Florida
In Florida, apostilles and authentications are issued only by the Florida Department of State's Division of Corporations (Apostille & Notarial Certification Section) in Tallahassee — not by any private service. You mail or walk in the original certified document with the state request form, a cover letter naming the destination country, and the per-document fee. Translation HelpDesk provides the certified translation that pairs with your apostille: $0.05/word (a typical civil document runs $15–25), backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge, with a free 250-word sample and 24–48 hour turnaround. We serve all of Florida remotely from our nearshore office in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations — Apostille & Notarial Certification Section, located at 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303 (mail: P.O. Box 6800, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6800). This is the only competent authority that issues apostilles and notarial certifications for Florida documents. Note: the certified vital records that get apostilled (birth, death, marriage) come from the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, but the apostille itself is issued by the Division of Corporations.
HOW IT WORKS IN FLORIDA
Getting an Apostille in Florida
Submit the Department of State's "Apostille and Notarial Certificate Request Form" together with the original document to be authenticated — an original certified copy or certificate of status, never a photocopy — plus a cover letter naming the destination country (required so the office issues the correct certificate for Hague vs. non-Hague nations). Vital records (birth, death, marriage) must bear the original signature of the State Registrar from the Bureau of Vital Statistics; a document notarized by a Florida Notary Public or certified as a true copy also qualifies. Payment is $10 or $20 per document by check or money order payable to the Florida Department of State (no cash or credit cards; U.S. bank funds only). File in person at the Tallahassee office or by mail to the P.O. Box 6800 address.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
Apostille the original English public record first, then have it translated — and translate the apostille certificate itself, since most receiving countries want the apostille rendered too. If you translate first, the apostille added afterward will be in English and untranslated. Florida's office does not provide translation, and it enforces one specific rule: the person who translates a document cannot be the same person who notarizes it. The most common rejection is having a notary touch a vital record — Florida rejects any birth, death, or marriage certificate that has been notarized, so never staple a notarized translation onto the certificate itself.
Translation HelpDesk provides the certified English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)) that USCIS accepts, and can advise on whether you need the apostille before or after translation for your specific document and destination.
FEES & TIMING
Cost & Turnaround
Apostille fee: State apostille fee is typically $10 per document for records signed by the State Registrar or for notarized documents, and about $20 per document for copies certified by a county Clerk of Court. Fees can change — confirm the current amount with the Florida Department of State. Payment by check or money order only. Separately, Translation HelpDesk's certified translation is $0.05/word, about $15–25 for a typical civil document.
Typical processing: Walk-in at the Tallahassee office is often completed while you wait (the office suggests allowing about 5 business days); mail requests typically take roughly 25–35 business days after the Department receives your documents, plus shipping time. Confirm current timelines before sending time-sensitive documents.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Florida?
The Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations — specifically its Apostille & Notarial Certification Section in Tallahassee — is the sole authority that issues apostilles and notarial certifications for Florida documents. Certified vital records come from the Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics, but the apostille is issued by the Division of Corporations.
Should I translate my document before or after the apostille?
Get the apostille on the original document first, then translate both the document and the apostille certificate. Most foreign authorities want the apostille translated too, and if you translate first the apostille added later will be left in English. We translate the full package so nothing gets rejected abroad.
How much does a Florida apostille cost?
The state fee is typically $10 per document for records signed by the State Registrar or for notarized documents, and around $20 per document for copies certified by a county Clerk of Court. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount with the Florida Department of State. Payment is by check or money order only — no cash or credit cards.
How long does a Florida apostille take?
Walk-in service at the Tallahassee office is often completed while you wait for straightforward requests, though the office advises allowing about five business days. Mail requests generally take roughly 25–35 business days from the date the Department receives your documents, not counting shipping. Verify current timelines before you send anything time-sensitive.
Can my birth certificate be notarized before the Florida apostille?
No. Florida rejects any vital record — birth, death, or marriage certificate — that has been notarized. It must bear the original signature of the State Registrar. Never have a notary stamp the certificate or attach a notarized translation to it; that is one of the most common causes of rejection.
Does Translation HelpDesk provide the apostille itself?
No — only the Florida Department of State can issue the apostille. We provide the certified translation that accompanies it, priced at $0.05/word ($15–25 for a typical civil document), with a free 250-word sample, 24–48 hour turnaround, and our USCIS Rejection Pledge. Message us by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com to start.