Information verified — Last update: November 12, 2025
If your diploma or transcript was issued in Florida and you need to use it outside the United States, it must be authenticated by the Florida Department of State (Division of Corporations — Apostille Section) in Tallahassee — the only competent authority that issues apostilles or notarial certifications for Florida public documents.
This information was reviewed and updated in November 2025 and reflects current requirements valid for 2026.
Common cases: study or work abroad, professional licensing, recognition of credentials, immigration/dual citizenship, or foreign credential evaluation. School records are not vital records; they usually require a Florida notarization tied to the school registrar before the DOS can authenticate.
| Competent authority | Florida Department of State, Apostille & Notarial Certification Section (Tallahassee) |
| Certificate type | Apostille (Hague) or Notarial Certification (non-Hague) |
| Fee (2026) | $10 per document (standard) or $20 if the document was certified by a Florida Clerk of Court |
| Request form | "Apostille & Notarial Certificate Request Form" (official DOS PDF) |
| USPS address | P.O. Box 6800, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6800 (for mail) |
| Courier / Walk-in | 2415 N. Monroe St., Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303 (FedEx/UPS/DHL; do not send courier to the P.O. Box) |
| School records scope | Diplomas, transcripts, registrar letters/certifications issued by Florida institutions only |
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All must be prepared for apostille by attaching a Florida notarization to the registrar's signature (see next section).
Florida DOS authenticates Florida notarial acts. For school records, that means the registrar's signature must be notarized by a Florida notary. Two standard approaches:
"I, [Registrar Name], Registrar of [School Name], certify that the attached [Diploma/Transcript] for [Student Full Name, DOB/Last 4 of Student ID if used] is a true and correct copy/record issued by [School Name]. Signed this [Date] in [City], Florida."
[Registrar signature] — notarized by a Florida notary (complete certificate).
Ask the registrar for: (a) an official transcript (sealed) or (b) a duplicate/certified copy of the diploma. Request it for apostille use so the office knows to prepare a notarized registrar certification.
Ensure the registrar's signature is notarized by a Florida notary (no missing seals/dates; full notarial certificate). If your school routes documents through a Clerk of Court, note that DOS may charge $20 instead of $10.
Fill the Apostille & Notarial Certificate Request Form (your contact info, destination country, number of documents, return method). Print clearly.
Official DOS Form PDFInclude a check or money order payable to "Florida Department of State":
(No cash/credit by mail.)
Add a self-addressed stamped envelope or prepaid carrier label (avoid "Bill Sender" / handwritten airbills). Keep your tracking number.
USPS: P.O. Box 6800, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6800
Courier / Walk-in: 2415 N. Monroe St., Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303
Expect several business days to a few weeks, depending on volume and mail. Your record returns with an attached apostille (Hague) or notarial certification (non-Hague).
Para usar un diploma o expediente académico (transcript) de Florida en el extranjero, necesita un apostille del Florida Department of State en Tallahassee. Generalmente, el firmante del registro (registrar) debe firmar una certificación que un notario de Florida legaliza. La tarifa es $10 por documento (o $20 si pasó por un Clerk of Court). Envíe el formulario oficial, el pago y una etiqueta de retorno con rastreo.
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This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Always verify current fees, forms and addresses on the official Florida DOS and DOH websites.
Updated: November 12, 2025 — Valid for: 2026
Reviewed by: Amelia Rivera, Compliance Editor — Apostille Pro USA