State guide
Federal Apostille Services in Florida
How Florida residents get federal documents apostilled — and how that differs from Florida state documents handled by the Florida Department of State.
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille counter in Florida — or anywhere outside Washington, D.C. Federal documents from Florida residents are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. Florida state documents go to the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee.
Key takeaways
- Federal documents from Florida are apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — not by the Florida Department of State.
- Florida state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) go to the Florida Department of State. We don’t provide state-level apostilles.
- Through us: $299 all-in for Hague countries (10–12 business days) or $399 with embassy legalization for non-Hague countries (15–17 business days).
- Do it yourself: Form DS-4194 and a $20 fee per document — processed within 5 weeks by mail, or 7 business days if you drop it off in Washington, D.C.
- State apostille office
- Florida Department of State
- Located in
- Tallahassee
- Federal court districts
- 3
- Our office
- Miami, West Palm Beach
Federal or Florida document?
| Document | Apostille from |
|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State |
| Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) check | Florida Department of State |
| Naturalization / citizenship certificate | U.S. Department of State |
| Florida birth, death or marriage certificate | Florida Department of State |
| Document notarized in Florida | Florida Department of State |
| Federal court record | U.S. Department of State |
| Florida state court record | Florida Department of State |
Federal courts in Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
City guides: Miami · West Palm Beach · Orlando · Tampa · Jacksonville · Fort Lauderdale · Boca Raton · St. Petersburg · Tallahassee · Naples
How we serve Florida
We have two offices in Florida open to the public by appointment: Miami and West Palm Beach — for in-person FBI background checks and document drop-off. Most clients still send documents by mail — it’s the fastest route to Washington. We cover Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach and every other part of Florida.
Pricing is flat: $299 per document for Hague countries (10–12 business days) and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization (15–17 business days), government fees included.
Official sources: Florida Department of State — Apostilles & Authentications · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries) · NASS — State Apostille Offices.
Documents for Florida residents
Pick your document for the exact route from Florida:
Where are Florida state documents apostilled?
Florida-issued documents — birth, marriage and death certificates, state court records, and anything notarized in Florida — are apostilled by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Section, not by the U.S. Department of State. We don’t provide state-level apostilles, so request it directly from the office below. If a Florida document is going to a non-Hague country, we handle the full chain — Florida, U.S. Department of State and embassy — for $599.
| Office | Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Section |
|---|---|
| In person | 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303 Most walk-in requests completed while you wait; check or money order only |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 6800, Tallahassee, FL 32314 |
| Phone | 850-245-6053 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| State fee per apostille | $10 ($20 for Clerk of Court documents) |
| Processing time (published) | In order received; no expedited service |
Source: Florida Department of State — official apostille page (checked October 2026). Fees, hours and appointment rules change — confirm with the office before you send anything.
How long does a federal apostille take from Florida?
The U.S. Department of State is the only office that issues a federal apostille. Mailed in yourself, it is processed within 5 weeks of receipt; dropped off in person in Washington, D.C., within 7 business days. Through us it takes 10–12 business days, or 15–17 business days for a non-Hague country that also needs embassy legalization.
| Route | How | Processing time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mail it yourself | Form DS-4194 + check to the Office of Authentications, Sterling, VA | Within 5 weeks of receipt | $20 per document + shipping |
| Drop it off yourself | 600 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C. — Mon–Thu, 7:30–9:00 AM, no appointment | Within 7 business days | $20 per document + travel |
| Emergency appointment | Only for a life-or-death family emergency with travel within 2 weeks | Same day | $20 per document |
| Through Federal Apostille USA | We review it, drop it off in D.C. and return it to you with tracking | 10–12 business days total | $299 all-in ($399 non-Hague) |
What does a federal apostille cost from Florida?
The government fee is $20 per document, paid with Form DS-4194. Our all-in price is $299 per document, covering the government fee, review, D.C. drop-off and U.S. return shipping; non-Hague destinations are $399 with embassy legalization.
Government figures: U.S. Department of State — Request Authentication Services (checked October 2026).
Florida — FAQ
Is there a federal apostille office in Florida?
No. Every U.S. federal document is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The Florida Department of State handles only Florida state documents.
Who issues apostilles for Florida state documents?
The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee.
Which federal courts are in Florida?
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida; U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Do I need to visit an office in Florida?
No. We work with Florida clients by mail and handle the Washington submission for you. If you prefer to come in, our West Palm Beach and Miami offices take document drop-offs and FBI background checks by appointment.
How much does a federal apostille cost?
$299 per document for Hague Convention countries and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, with government fees and U.S. shipping included.
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.