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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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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.