Florida Birth Certificate Apostille Guide
Stop paying expeditors $150+. Submit directly to the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee — correctly the first time.
DIY & Save ~$140
Get your personalized apostille roadmap.
If your birth certificate was issued in Florida and you need to use it outside the United States, you must obtain an apostille from the Florida Department of State (Division of Corporations — Apostille Section) in Tallahassee.
The Department of State is the only competent authority in Florida that issues apostilles or notarial certifications for Florida public documents.
This page — updated November 2025 and valid through 2026 — includes verified fees, forms, addresses, timelines, and a checklist to help you avoid rejection. (Florida DOS Apostille Section)
Who needs a Florida birth certificate apostille
Common cases:
- Immigration or dual-citizenship abroad
- International marriage or family registration
- Employment or study abroad
- Estate or pension claims in another country
Only state-certified Florida birth certificates are eligible — not hospital souvenirs or photocopies. (Florida Department of Health – Vital Records)
Key facts (at a glance)
| Authority | Florida Department of State, Apostille Section, Tallahassee |
| Fee (2025) | $10 per document (standard); $20 if certified by a Clerk of Court |
| Request Form | "Apostille & Notarial Certificate Request Form" (DOS PDF) |
| Mailing Address (USPS) | P.O. Box 6800, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6800 |
| Courier Address (FedEx/UPS/DHL) | 2415 N. Monroe St., Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303 |
| Processing Time | Several business days to a few weeks (depending on volume) |
Get your personalized Apostille guide for a Birth Certificate in Florida
Fast, simple, and without overpaying. Find out exactly what you need to do — step by step — in under 2 minutes.
Start My Guide100% free • Takes less than 2 minutes • Save hundreds on service fees
Step-by-Step
- 1
Get a certified copy
Order it from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics or an authorized registrar. Photocopies and hospital certificates are not accepted.
- 2
Confirm the destination country
If it is a Hague Convention country, you need an apostille; if not, the DOS will issue a notarial certification for later consular legalization.
- 3
Complete the official request form
Download and fill out the Apostille & Notarial Certificate Request Form with your name, destination country, and return address.
Official DOS Form PDF - 4
Prepare payment
Attach a check or money order payable to "Florida Department of State" for the correct fee:
- • $10 standard
- • $20 if the document was certified through a Clerk of Court
- 5
Include return shipping
Add a self-addressed stamped envelope or a prepaid carrier label (no "Bill Sender" or handwritten airbills).
- 6
Submit
Mail to the USPS address above or send via courier to the Monroe Street address.
- 7
Receive & verify
Your document will return with the apostille securely attached — check that it lists the correct destination country.
When you do NOT need an apostille
- •If the document stays within the U.S.
- •If the foreign authority accepts a notarial copy without apostille (rare).
- •If the destination country is non-Hague — you'll need authentication + consular legalization instead.
Common rejection reasons
- Using a hospital souvenir or photocopy instead of a certified copy.
- Paying $10 for a Clerk-certified document (should be $20).
- Sending courier packages to the P.O. Box address.
- Missing return envelope or label.
- Not listing the destination country on the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to notarize a Florida birth certificate before apostille?▼
Can Florida apostille documents from another state?▼
How long does the process take?▼
What if I only have a local health-department copy?▼
In Spanish (para SEO y usuarios bilingües)
Para usar su certificado de nacimiento de Florida en otro país, necesita un apostille del Florida Department of State en Tallahassee. La tarifa es de $10 por documento (o $20 si fue certificado por un Clerk of Court). Envíe una copia certificada, no fotocopias, con el formulario oficial y un sobre prepagado de retorno.
Need personalized help with your Florida Birth Certificate Apostille?
Get a clear, step-by-step roadmap tailored to your exact situation.
Get My Custom GuideRelated Guides
Sources & Methodology
Official Sources
- Florida Department of State — Apostille Section
- Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
- Federal Hague Convention Guidelines
Our Process
- Daily verification against official FL SOS updates
- Expert review by Florida specialists
- Fee and form oversight (Request Form DOS-260)
Disclaimer: This information is general guidance and not legal advice. Always verify current information directly with the Florida Department of State before submitting your application.
Verification & Updates Log
Tracking content accuracy and improvements
- 2026-02-20Verified
Confirmed current Florida SOS fees ($10/doc, $20/Clerk) and mailing addresses in Tallahassee.
- 2026-01-12Verified
Verified Courier address (Monroe St) vs. Mailing address (P.O. Box).
- 2026-01-05Verified
Confirmed Vital Statistics requirements (Certified Copy vs. Photocopy).
- 2025-12-28Improved
Updated processing time estimates based on Department of State alerts.
Save ~$200 • Refund if rejected