The standard processing time is around 30 days for orders mailed directly to the Florida Department of State. Our expedited services can have your apostille on the way back to you in 2-3 business days.
To process, the authorized representative has to bring the following: Signed authorization letter (SPA for minor document owners); Copy of valid government ID bearing document owner's signature; Representative's valid ID (photocopy and original).
The apostille certifies the authenticity of the issuing official or notary public's signature. Each state designates a Competent Authority who issues an apostille for a public document. The Florida Secretary of State is the Competent Authority in Florida. Only the Competent Authority can issue an apostille.
Walk in/Courier Delivery: Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Certificate, 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303.
The single apostille is the only certification needed. Once prepared and verified, the apostille is attached to and sent along with the notarized documents. Notaries cannot issue apostilles themselves. This all happens after the notarization and requires no action on your part.
The Florida Secretary of State is the only competent authority authorized to issue notarial and apostille certifications in the state of Florida.
An apostille is issued by your Secretary of State's office or Notary commissioning agency. The single apostille is the only certification needed. Once prepared and verified, the apostille is attached to and sent along with the notarized documents. Notaries cannot issue apostilles themselves.
Countries that are nonmembers of the 1961 Hague Convention are issued notarial certificates, which also authenticates the issuing official's signature. The Florida Secretary of State is the only designated Competent Authority to issue apostilles in the State of Florida.