Updated November 2025 — Valid for 2026 • Verified: November 22, 2025
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A Single Status Affidavit is a sworn statement where a person declares they are not currently married (single, widowed, or divorced). It is often used when a foreign government, consulate, or civil registry needs proof that you are legally free to marry or to support immigration/residency processes.
Florida also offers a "Single Status Statement" via the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, which performs a statewide search (all 67 counties) to verify that no Florida marriage record is on file for the specified years and issues an official "Not Found" statement for people marrying abroad.
Give realistic examples:
The Florida Secretary of State (through the Division of Corporations, Apostille Section) is the only competent authority in Florida that can issue apostilles and notarial certifications.
Apostilles for Florida are only issued at:
Division of Corporations – Apostille Section
2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810
Tallahassee, FL 32303
For a Single Status document, the Florida Department of State can apostille:
When Route A makes sense:
Checklist:
• Some consulates provide their own affidavit template; when they do, it is best to follow their exact wording.
• Leave space for Florida notarial language and the notary's stamp.
The Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, offers a Single Status Statement for people marrying in another country who need proof of "single status".
They perform a search of all 67 Florida counties for marriage records in specified years. If no record is found, they issue an official "No Record Found" Single Status Statement.
USPS mail:
Division of Corporations
Apostille Section
P.O. Box 6800
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6800
Courier (FedEx/UPS) or In-person:
Division of Corporations – Apostille Section
2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810
Tallahassee, FL 32303
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille / Notarial certification fee | $10 per document | Standard Florida apostille/notarial certification fee |
| Apostille fee – documents certified by FL Clerk of Court | $20 per document | Applies when apostille is requested for a document first certified by a Florida Clerk of Court |
| Florida DOH Single Status search fee | Base $5 plus any additional DOH fees | For statewide "Single Status Statement" search for marriage records |
| Notary fee | Varies | Paid separately to the Florida notary |
• DOH Single Status Statement: typically processed within several business days to a few weeks depending on volume and shipping.
• Florida apostille: processed by the Division of Corporations Apostille Section; timing depends on volume and whether submitted by mail or delivered in person. Secondary sources describe several business days by mail and faster turnaround in person, but users should check current guidance on the official site.
❌ Document not notarized in Florida (Route A)
→ Solution: Florida can only authenticate signatures of Florida notaries and officials. Documents notarized in other states must go to that state's apostille authority.
❌ Photocopy instead of original
→ Solution: The Apostille Section requires original notarized/certified documents, not copies.
❌ Missing destination country on the request form
→ Solution: The Apostille Request Form asks which country the document will be used in; leaving it blank can delay processing.
❌ Wrong fee ($10 vs $20)
→ Solution: Documents certified by a Clerk of Court trigger the $20 per document rate; miscalculating the amount or paying to the wrong payee can cause rejection.
❌ Illegible or incomplete notary seal
→ Solution: If the Florida notary stamp is smudged or missing required details, the Secretary of State may refuse to issue an apostille.
❌ Using the wrong type of single-status document
→ Solution: Some countries might reject a personal affidavit and ask specifically for a government-issued Single Status Statement (or vice versa). Always verify with the foreign authority.
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Get My Personalized GuideReviewed by: Amelia Rivera — Compliance Editor, Apostille Pro USA
Updated: November 2025 — Valid for 2026
Change Summary: Verified Florida apostille fee structure ($10 per document; $20 for Clerk-of-Court certified documents) using the official Apostille / Notarial Certification Request Form and state guidance. Confirmed that the Florida Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Section at 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303 is the only competent authority issuing Florida apostilles. Confirmed apostille mailing address P.O. Box 6800, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6800 and the requirement for original notarized/certified documents plus a completed request form and pre-paid return envelope. Reviewed Florida DOH "Single Status Statement" process (statewide search, limitations on dates, "No Record Found" statement) for people marrying abroad. Expanded guidance on when to use a personal Single Status Affidavit versus an official Single Status Statement, to reflect common consular requirements.
Next Review Due: May 2026, or earlier if the Florida Department of State or Florida Department of Health updates fees, forms, or procedures.
Reviewer Profile: /team/amelia-rivera
Florida Department of State – Division of Corporations – Apostilles & Notarial Certifications
Office location, competent authority statement, FAQs
Florida Apostille / Notarial Certification Request Form
Fees $10 / $20, mailing & courier addresses, requirements
Florida Department of Health – Bureau of Vital Statistics – Single Status Statement info
Statewide 67-county search, 'No Record Found' statement, limitations on dates
Travel.State.gov and reputable apostille resources
Describing use of single status affidavits for marriage abroad and immigration