How to Apostille Certificates of Status in Florida

Gus Oros
May 4
2 min read

If your business needs to operate internationally, you may be required to apostille a certificate of status (also known as a certificate of good standing). This document proves that your company is legally registered and compliant in Florida.

Because this is a state-issued document, the process is different from notarized documents.

Step 1: Obtain an Official Certificate of Status

To apostille a certificate of status in Florida, you must use an official copy issued by the state.

This means:

It must be issued by the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)
It must include an official seal or certification

Photocopies or unofficial downloads are not accepted.

Step 2: Do NOT Notarize the Document

This is a common mistake.

Certificates of status:

❌ should NOT be notarized
✅ must remain official state-issued documents

Adding notarization can actually cause the document to be rejected.

Need help confirming your document is correct before submission? We review everything to help prevent delays and costly mistakes.

Florida Apostille Services

Call/Text: 239-273-4708

https://www.getfloridaapostille.com/

Step 3: Verify the Document Is Current

Many countries require a recent certificate of status.

Before submitting, make sure:

The document was issued recently (often within 30–90 days)
All company information is accurate
The certification is clearly visible

Using an outdated document may lead to rejection.

Step 4: Submit the Document for Apostille

Once you have the correct certificate, it must be submitted to the Florida Secretary of State.

If you handle the process yourself, you will need to:

Mail the document to Tallahassee
Include required forms and fees
Wait for processing
Receive it back by mail

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

Step 5: Avoid Common Mistakes

Delays often happen due to:

Using an outdated certificate
Submitting a non-certified copy
Not verifying requirements before submission

If your document is rejected, the process must be restarted.

Step 6: Choose a Faster and More Reliable Option

Certificates of status are often required for time-sensitive business transactions.

We simplify the process by:

Reviewing your document before submission
Confirming all requirements are met
Helping avoid common mistakes

Our typical turnaround time is 10–12 business days, significantly faster than standard 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 you’re working with a business deadline, faster processing options may be available.

For urgent cases, contact us directly so we can review your timeline and provide the best solution.

Ready to get started? We help businesses across all Florida counties process certificate of status apostilles quickly and accurately.

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