Florida Death Certificate Apostille — 2026 Guide
Verified January 8, 2026 by Amelia Rivera
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Introduction
If a death certificate was issued in Florida and must be used in another country, it must be authenticated by the Florida Department of State — the state's competent authority for apostilles. This guide was reviewed and updated in February 2026 and is valid for 2026.
Who needs a Florida death certificate apostille
Typical cases: foreign inheritance/estate settlement, international property transfers, insurance and pension claims abroad, family law proceedings, immigration/citizenship applications, and other legal processes outside the U.S. The apostille confirms the origin and signature on the Florida record without altering its contents.
- Estate settlement in Spain, Italy, Germany, or other Hague Convention countries
- Property inheritance and title transfer abroad
- Life insurance claims with foreign companies
- Survivor benefits and pension applications
Key facts at a glance
| Authority | Florida Department of State — Authentications |
| Fee (2026) | $10 per document (check/money order to "FL Dept of State") |
| Office Address | R.A. Gray Building, 500 S. Bronough St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250 |
| Processing Time | Walk-in: Same-day/next business day | Mail: 5-10 business days |
| Office Hours | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (verify current hours) |
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Which death certificates qualify
Only certified copies issued by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics or County Health Department are eligible for apostille. Photocopies, hospital souvenir copies, or uncertified printouts cannot be apostilled.
How to obtain a certified copy
Order a certified death certificate from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics or the County Health Department where the death was recorded. Florida offers online, mail, and in-person ordering options.
Step-by-step apostille process
- 1
Get a certified Florida death certificate
Verify it has the registrar's signature and embossed/raised seal (Bureau of Vital Statistics or County Health Dept).
- 2
Complete the apostille application
Download from FL Dept of State Apostille page. Specify destination country.
- 3
Prepare payment
$10 check or money order payable to "Florida Department of State" (one payment can cover multiple documents).
- 4
Submit your packet
Include: certified certificate, application, payment, and prepaid return envelope.
Mail: Authentications, Dept of State, R.A. Gray Building, 500 S. Bronough St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250
Walk-in: Same address (Mon-Fri 8 AM - 5 PM)
- 5
Processing and return
Walk-in: same-day or next business day. Mail: 5-10 business days plus mailing time.
When you do not need an apostille
- •The document will be used inside the U.S. only
- •A foreign authority explicitly accepts a certified copy without apostille (rare; confirm in writing)
- •The destination country is not a Hague Convention member and requires U.S. Department of State and consular legalization instead
Common rejection reasons
- Submitting a photocopy or hospital souvenir instead of certified copy
- Missing embossed/raised seal or registrar's signature
- Certificate from another state (Florida can only apostille Florida documents)
- Incorrect fee or wrong payee name
- Missing return envelope or incomplete return address
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to notarize a Florida death certificate before apostille?▼
Can Florida apostille a death certificate from another state?▼
How long does it take?▼
What if my destination country is not a Hague Convention member?▼
Can I submit multiple documents at once?▼
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Updated: February 2026 — Valid for 2026
Change Summary: Verified $10 apostille fee; clarified eligibility (FL Bureau of Vital Statistics or County Health Department certified copies only); confirmed Tallahassee office address (R.A. Gray Building, 500 S. Bronough St.) and mail processing; expanded common rejection reasons and FAQs.
Next Review Due: August 2026
Verified sources (.gov / official)
This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Always verify current forms, fees, and addresses on official Florida Department of State and Bureau of Vital Statistics websites.
Updated: February 2026 — Valid for: 2026
Reviewed by: Amelia Rivera, Document Processing Specialist — Apostille Pro USA