What Documents Can Be Apostilled in Florida?
- Gus Oros
- May 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 5
If you’re planning to use a document outside of the United States, you may need an apostille. But not every document is treated the same, and understanding which documents can be apostilled in Florida is key to avoiding delays.
Submitting the wrong type of document is one of the most common reasons apostille requests get rejected.
Common Documents That Can Be Apostilled
In Florida, many types of documents can be apostilled, including:
Personal Documents
Birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Death certificates
These must be certified copies issued by the state, not photocopies or notarized versions.
Legal Documents
Power of attorney
Affidavits
Consent forms
Court documents
These typically require proper notarization before they can be apostilled.
Business Documents
Articles of incorporation
Business agreements
Certificates of status
Contracts
Business documents may require notarization or certification depending on the type.
Documents That Often Cause Confusion
Some documents are frequently submitted incorrectly, which leads to delays:
Photocopies instead of certified originals
Documents notarized when they shouldn’t be
Documents missing required signatures
Understanding the difference between notarized documents and certified copies is critical.
Need help making sure your document is correct? We review everything before submission to help prevent delays and rejections.
Florida Apostille Services
Call/Text: 239-273-4708
Do All Documents Need to Be Notarized?
No — and this is where many people get confused.
Vital records (like birth certificates) → must be certified copies
Personal/legal documents → usually require notarization
If you notarize the wrong type of document, it may be rejected.
Why Document Type Matters for Processing Time
Submitting the correct document the first time is the difference between a smooth process and a delay.
If your documents are incorrect:
they may be rejected
returned for correction
or require resubmission
This can easily turn a simple process into a 6+ week timeline through the state.
A Faster and Simpler Way to Handle Apostilles
Instead of guessing which documents are correct, many clients choose a more reliable approach.
We simplify the process by:
Reviewing your documents before submission
Confirming the correct format
Helping avoid common mistakes
Our typical turnaround time is 10 business days or less, compared to the longer state processing timeline.
All completed documents are returned using FedEx with a tracking number, so you always know where they are.
Need It Done Faster?
If your documents are time-sensitive, faster options may be available depending on your situation.
For rush processing, contact us directly so we can review your documents and timeline.
Related Articles
Ready to get started? We help clients across all Florida counties with a faster, more reliable apostille process.
Upload your documents now or call/text 239-273-4708