Everything you need to understand the apostille process, notary requirements, and official Florida resources — all in one place. Serving Tallahassee and surrounding counties.
Everything you need to know about authenticating Florida documents for international use — from what an apostille is to how long it takes and what it costs.
An apostille is an official government-issued certificate that authenticates a document for use in another country that is part of the 1961 Hague Convention. The apostille is attached to the original document and certifies the authenticity of the signature, seal, or stamp on the document. It does not certify the content of the document itself.
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, transcripts, power of attorney, corporate documents, and court orders commonly require apostilles. Personal documents like death certificates and divorce decrees also frequently need apostilles for international use in immigration, education, and legal proceedings.
Standard processing through the FL Secretary of State takes 4–6 business days. Rush (1–2 day) and same-day courier options are available through Notary Nexus. Processing times can vary during peak periods such as summer graduation season and the start of the academic year.
Step 1: Notarize the document with a Florida-commissioned notary public. Step 2: Submit to FL Secretary of State Apostille Division. Step 3: The apostille certificate is attached to your document. Step 4: Your document is ready for international use in any Hague Convention country.
Over 120 countries accept Hague apostilles, including Mexico, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Brazil, India, China, and most of Europe and Latin America. Non-Hague countries such as Canada, Saudi Arabia, and UAE require a different authentication process called embassy legalization. We can guide you through both.
The FL Secretary of State charges $10 per apostille document. Notary Nexus adds courier, handling, and expedite fees depending on your turnaround need. Standard service starts at $95 total. Expedited 1–2 day service is $125. Same-day 24-hour rush is $150. Volume discounts available for 5+ documents.
Need help with your specific document?
Our apostille specialists will review your document and guide you through the exact process needed.
Standard Florida notary wording, certificate templates, and helpful checklists for common document types. All templates comply with current Florida notary law.
Standard jurat language for affidavits and sworn statements in the State of Florida. A jurat requires the signer to swear or affirm that the contents of the document are true. The notary must administer an oath or affirmation before the signer signs.
Florida acknowledgment wording for deeds, powers of attorney, and real estate documents. An acknowledgment certifies that the signer personally appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing the document voluntarily. No oath is required.
Official template to certify a true and complete copy of an original document. Florida notaries may certify copies of documents that are not public records. Commonly used for passports, diplomas, and personal identification documents.
What to bring and what to expect when notarizing a Florida power of attorney document. Florida law requires two witnesses in addition to notarization for a durable power of attorney. Bring valid government-issued photo ID and the original unsigned document.
Used when a signer's name on a document differs slightly from their ID. The affidavit confirms both names refer to the same person. Commonly needed for apostille submissions where passport and birth certificate names don't match exactly.
Standard corporate resolution authorizing an officer to sign documents on behalf of a company. Required for apostilling corporate documents, certificates of good standing, and articles of incorporation for international business use.
Need a custom certificate or form?
Florida notary law specifies exact wording requirements. Contact us and we'll prepare the correct certificate for your specific document type and jurisdiction.
Request a Custom FormTrusted sources for apostille submissions, notary verification, and international document authentication. All links verified and updated regularly.
dos.fl.gov/apostille
Submit apostille requests directly to the FL SOS Division of Corporations and Apostille Section. Check current processing times and fee schedules.
hcch.net
Official list of all countries that are members of the Hague Convention and accept apostilles. Verify whether your destination country requires an apostille or embassy legalization.
nationalnotary.org
The NNA provides notary law updates, continuing education, and professional resources for notaries. Verify notary credentials and find state-specific notary requirements.
bbb.org
Verify our BBB accreditation and read our business profile and customer reviews. We maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
dos.fl.gov/sunbiz
Look up business entities, file documents, and access the Florida notary public database. Verify a notary's commission status and expiration date.
gsccca.org
For documents requiring apostilles from the State of Georgia (Thomas & Grady County residents). Verify Georgia apostille requirements and submission procedures.
Common questions about notary services in Tallahassee, Florida. For apostille-specific questions, see Section 5 below.
Detailed answers to the most common apostille questions. For a comprehensive list, visit our full Apostille FAQ page.
Key terms you'll encounter when working with notary and apostille services in Florida. Understanding these terms helps you navigate the process with confidence.
From document preparation to international delivery — here's exactly what happens at each step.
A Florida-commissioned notary public verifies your identity and witnesses your signature on the document.
Notary Nexus couriers your notarized document to the Florida Secretary of State Apostille Division.
The FL SOS attaches the apostille certificate, authenticating the notary's credentials for international use.
Your apostilled document is now valid in all 120+ Hague Convention countries. Ready for submission abroad.
Let our team handle every step of your notary or apostille process. Same-day appointments available throughout Tallahassee and surrounding counties.