Florida Power of Attorney Apostille Guide
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Overview
To use a Power of Attorney signed in Florida outside the U.S., you need an apostille from the Florida Department of State — Division of Corporations, Apostille Section (Tallahassee).
The apostille verifies the authenticity of the Florida notary's signature and seal — not the legal content of the document.
Who needs a Florida POA apostille
You may need it if you're:
- Selling property abroad through a proxy
- Authorizing a relative to manage inheritance or bank matters
- Granting a foreign lawyer representation rights
- Submitting documents for marriage, family reunification or immigration
- Operating a business overseas that requires local representation
Countries like Spain, Mexico, Italy, and Brazil routinely require apostilled POAs.
Key facts (at a glance)
| Authority | Florida Department of State — Division of Corporations, Apostille Section |
| Eligible Documents | Original POA notarized by a Florida Notary Public |
| Fee (2026) | $10 per apostille (check or money order to "Department of State") |
| Processing Time | 5–10 business days (mail) • Same/next day (walk-in) |
| Mailing Address | Department of State, Division of Corporations – Apostille Section, The Centre of Tallahassee, 2415 N. Monroe St., Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303 |
| In-Person Delivery | Same address (Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) |
| Contact Email | Apostille@dos.myflorida.com |
Which POAs qualify
A Florida POA must be:
- Properly notarized by a Florida Notary Public
- Contain a complete notarial certificate (acknowledgment or jurat)
- Bear a legible seal and signature
- Be an original document (no photocopies)
Step-by-Step Process
- 1
Notarize your POA in Florida
Use a commissioned Florida Notary Public. Ensure acknowledgment text matches Florida Statutes § 117.05. Electronic (eNotary) signatures are accepted only if clearly certified and recorded.
- 2
Prepare the Apostille Request
Include a cover letter with: your name, phone, return address, and destination country. Specify if the document is for a Hague Convention country (apostille) or non-Hague (authentication).
- 3
Payment
Attach a check or money order for $10 per document, payable to "Department of State".
- 4
Mail or Deliver
Mail or hand-deliver to: Department of State – Apostille Section, The Centre of Tallahassee, 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303
- 5
Receive your apostilled POA
You'll receive your document with a Florida apostille attached to the notary certificate.
Real-world examples & use cases
| Purpose | Destination Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Real-estate sale via proxy | Spain / Italy | Requires apostilled POA + certified translation (< 6 months old). |
| Family authorization | Mexico / Colombia | Used for visas, school documents, and court filings. |
| Business representation | UAE / Singapore | Often requested for bank or corporate signing. |
| Inheritance or legal matters | Philippines / Brazil | Must include POA specific clauses and recent apostille. |
Sample Florida Notary Acknowledgment
Fees & Addresses
| Type | Fee | Address | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apostille (per doc) | $10 | Dept. of State, 2415 N. Monroe St., Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303 | 5–10 days (mail) • Same/next day (walk-in) |
| Mail Tracking | — | Include return envelope with paid label | Optional |
| Contact | — | Apostille@dos.myflorida.com | Support / questions |
Common Mistakes & Solutions
❌ Using a non-Florida notary
→ Fix: Re-sign before a Florida Notary Public.
❌ Missing notary seal or ID type
→ Fix: Ask notary to complete all required fields per § 117.05.
❌ Sending copies or scans
→ Fix: Submit the original notarized POA.
❌ Incorrect payment or blank check
→ Fix: Write check to "Department of State", $10 per doc.
❌ No destination country specified
→ Fix: Always state destination country in cover letter.
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Get My Personalized GuideFrequently asked questions
Do I need to notarize my POA before apostille?▼
Can I use online notarization in Florida?▼
How long is the apostille valid?▼
Can someone else submit for me?▼
What if the destination country is not a Hague member?▼
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.
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.
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