How to Apostille Business Documents in Florida

Gus Oros
May 3
2 min read

Updated: Jun 5

If your company needs to use documents in another country, you may be required to get an apostille. This is common for international transactions, opening offices abroad, or legal compliance.

Business documents often have stricter requirements than personal documents, so preparing them correctly is critical.

What Business Documents Can Be Apostilled?

In Florida, common business documents that may require an apostille include:

Articles of incorporation
Certificates of status (good standing)
Business agreements and contracts
Corporate resolutions
Financial or compliance documents

Each type of document may require a different preparation method before it can be apostilled.

Step 1: Determine if Notarization Is Required

Some business documents must be notarized before they can be apostilled, while others must be certified by the state.

Examples:

Agreements and internal documents → usually require notarization
State-issued records → must be certified copies

Submitting the wrong version of a document can lead to delays or rejection.

Need help confirming your business documents are prepared correctly? We review everything before submission to help prevent delays and costly mistakes.

Florida Apostille Services

Call/Text: 239-273-4708

https://www.getfloridaapostille.com/

Step 2: Make Sure the Notarization Is Correct

If notarization is required, it must follow Florida standards.

The notary must:

Complete a proper notarial certificate
Sign clearly
Apply a valid notary seal

Incorrect notarization is one of the most common reasons business documents are rejected.

Step 3: Submit the Documents for Apostille

Once your documents are prepared correctly, they must be submitted to the Florida Secretary of State.

If you handle this yourself, the process includes:

Mailing documents to Tallahassee
Including required forms and fees
Waiting for processing
Receiving them back by mail

Standard processing through the state can take 6 weeks or more, especially if corrections are needed.

Step 4: Avoid Common Business Document Mistakes

Business-related apostille requests often face delays due to:

Incorrect notarization
Missing signatures or approvals
Using unofficial copies
Submitting incomplete documents

These issues can significantly delay international transactions or legal processes.

Step 5: Choose a Faster and More Reliable Process

For businesses, time is often critical.

We simplify the process by:

Reviewing your documents before submission
Confirming all requirements are met
Helping avoid costly errors

Our typical turnaround time is 10 business days or less, much faster than standard state processing.

All completed documents are returned using FedEx with a tracking number, so you always know where your documents are.

Need It Done Faster?

If your business documents are time-sensitive, faster processing options may be available.

For urgent requests, contact us directly so we can review your documents and timeline.

Ready to get started? We help businesses across all Florida counties with a faster, more reliable apostille process.

Upload your documents now or call/text 239-273-4708