Florida Birth Certificate Apostille Guide
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Getting a Florida birth certificate apostille means ordering a certified copy from the state, then having Florida authenticate it for international use. This guide walks you through the DIY process for the state apostille fee only: $10.00 per document; OR $20.00 per document for documents certified by any Florida Clerk of Court when requesting an apostille ($10 apostille + $10 certificate of incumbency).
- Apostille fee: $10 per document
- Certified copy: $9 first computer-generated, $4 additional, $14 first photocopy, rush +$10 when available
- Processing Time: Varies by current queue (checked 2026-02-24); same-day in person where offered
- Requirements: Original certified copy with the registrar's seal and signature
- Issuing Authority: Florida Department of State
- Note: Only works for Florida-issued documents
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Quick Answer
To apostille a Florida birth certificate, order an official certified copy from Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, then submit it to Florida Department of State with the $10 apostille fee. Plan for the time to get both the certified copy and the apostille.
En español
Para usar su certificado de nacimiento de Florida en otro país, primero necesita un apostille. Pida una copia certificada original a la Oficina de Estadísticas Vitales del Departamento de Salud de Florida (no sirve una fotocopia ni una copia informativa) y envíela al Departamento de Estado de Florida, División de Corporaciones, junto con la tarifa del apostille.
What It Is
An apostille authenticates an official certified copy of a Birth Certificate issued by the state vital-records office. Importantly, it does not certify the facts on the record.
It only confirms that the signature and seal of the issuing official are genuine, so the document is accepted in another country that belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention. Because of this, a hospital keepsake or souvenir certificate cannot be apostilled, and neither can a plain photocopy.
You must start with a properly issued certified copy carrying the registrar's original signature and the state's seal — that sealed copy is the only version the apostille authority will authenticate.
When You Need an Apostille
People most often apostille a Florida birth certificate for:
When You Don't Need an Apostille
- The document will only be used inside the United States — an apostille is for use abroad.
- The destination country is NOT a member of the Hague Apostille Convention; those countries require consular legalization through their embassy or consulate instead of an apostille.
- The receiving institution has confirmed in writing that a plain or notarized copy is enough.
Who Can Apply
Eligibility to order a certified copy is limited, and you will need a valid government-issued photo ID to complete the request. In general, those who can order include
- The person named on the record
- A parent or immediate family member
- A legal guardian or legal representative acting on their behalf
- A state-issued certified copy with a raised or multicolor seal
- The registrar's original (not stamped) signature
Document Requirements
Certified original
A state-issued certified copy — not an informational or souvenir copy
Raised or multicolor seal
An embossed or colored seal from the issuing vital-records office
Original signature
The registrar's original (not stamped) signature
- •Photocopies or scanned copies
- •Computer-generated or informational copies (often marked "not a valid document")
- •Documents with stamped (non-original) signatures
- •Damaged, altered, or faded certificates
- •Hospital "keepsake" or souvenir certificates
- •Certificates issued by another state
Fees & Processing Times
Budget for two separate fees: the certified copy of your birth certificate and the apostille itself.
$9 first computer-generated, $4 additional, $14 first photocopy, rush +$10 when available
Certified birth certificate (Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics)
$10
Per document
Payment method: Check or money order payable to Florida Department of State; U.S. currency/U.S. bank; no cash; no credit cards.
| Fee Category | Details / Value |
|---|---|
| Certified copy | $9 first computer-generated, $4 additional, $14 first photocopy, rush +$10 when available — Certified birth certificate (Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics) |
| Apostille fee | $10 — per document |
| Payment | Check or money order payable to Florida Department of State; U.S. currency/U.S. bank; no cash; no credit cards. |
| Processing — by mail | Currently processing requests received around 02/18/26 (verified 2026-02-24) |
| Processing — in person | Walk-in requests are accepted at 2415 N. Monroe St., Suite 810, during business hours. |
| Same-day / expedited | State says it does not offer expedited services; offers walk-in services. |
Fees and processing times verified 2026-02-24 against official state sources. Always confirm the current amount before sending payment.
Step-by-Step How-To
- 1
Order a certified birth certificate
Start by ordering your certified copy from the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics using one of these methods
- Online/phone via VitalChek (state-contracted vendor)
- Mail-in and walk-in directly through Bureau of Vital Statistics
- Also local county health department for some records (fees vary)
- 2
Submit it for apostille
Once you have the sealed certified copy, assemble your apostille packet: the certified copy, the completed request form, your payment, and a return envelope. The form is the Required form, available at https://dos.
P.O. Box 6800
Tallahassee
FL 32314 - 3
Receive your apostille
Your apostilled certificate is returned in your prepaid envelope (or handed back at the counter for same-day service). Keep the apostille attached to the certificate when using it abroad.
🌍 Next step: Certified Translation
Many countries require a certified translation of your apostilled birth certificate — especially for immigration, USCIS, or university admissions. Get a USCIS-accepted translation at CertTranslate.com.
Contact Information
P.O. Box 6800
Tallahassee
FL 32314
Phone
850-245-6053
Hours
Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, except state holidays
Common Reasons Apostilles Get Rejected
Photocopies or scanned copies
Computer-generated or informational copies (often marked "not a valid document")
Documents with stamped (non-original) signatures
Damaged, altered, or faded certificates
Hospital "keepsake" or souvenir certificates
Certificates issued by another state
Official Resources
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Verified Sources
Every fee, address, and processing time on this page was checked against the official government sources below (last verified 2026-02-24).
- dos.fl.gov· checked 2026-02-24
- floridahealth.gov· checked 2026-06-06
Sources & Methodology
Official Sources
- Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Section (also labeled Notary Commissions and Apostille Section)
- Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
- Hague Conference on Private International Law
Our Process
- Verified against official .gov sources
- Reviewed by document-authentication specialists
- Fee and processing-time monitoring
Disclaimer: This information is general guidance and not legal advice. Always verify current information directly with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Section (also labeled Notary Commissions and Apostille Section) before submitting your application.
"Getting an apostille for your Florida birth certificate is straightforward once you have the right certified copy — the most common rejection is submitting a photocopy instead of a sealed original."
Amelia Rivera
Document Processing Specialist
15+ years in document authentication
Verification & Updates Log
Tracking content accuracy and improvements
- 2026-06-09Updated
Refreshed this guide and added a Spanish-language summary (En español), the two-fee cost breakdown (certified copy + apostille), and direct links to every official .gov source.
- 2026-06-06Updated
Added the certified-copy cost alongside the apostille fee, refreshed the current processing times, and linked the official .gov pages every fact was verified against.
- 2026-06-06Improved
Expanded the accepted-document and rejection-reason checklists so applicants can avoid the most common returns.
- 2026-02-24Verified
Confirmed the $10 apostille fee and Florida Department of State as the issuing authority.
- 2026-02-24Verified
Verified where to order a certified birth certificate (Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics) and the apostille submission addresses.
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