How to Get a Birth Certificate Apostille in Florida: A Complete Guide

If you’re planning to live, study, get married, or conduct business in a foreign country, you may be asked to provide an official U.S. birth certificate—and it can’t just be any copy. Most countries require the document to be authenticated with an apostille, a form of international certification recognized by countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to get a birth certificate apostille in Florida—including what an apostille is, why it’s needed, and how A Notary On The Go Florida can handle the process quickly and efficiently for you.

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is a certificate issued by a designated authority (in Florida, this is the Florida Department of State) that authenticates the origin of a public document. It confirms that the signature, seal, or stamp on the document is genuine.

Why Do You Need an Apostille on a Birth Certificate?

A birth certificate apostille may be required for:

• Applying for dual citizenship 
• Getting married in a foreign country 
• Enrolling in school or university abroad 
• Adopting a child internationally 
• Starting employment overseas 
• Obtaining a foreign residency or visa

If you’ve been asked to get your birth certificate apostilled, it’s critical that the document comes from the correct issuing authority and follows proper procedures.

How to Get a Birth Certificate Apostille in Florida

Let’s walk through the step-by-step process of how to get a birth certificate apostille in Florida. While it may seem overwhelming at first, our team at A Notary On The Go Florida simplifies the process and ensures you don’t waste time or money.

Step 1: Make Sure You Have the Right Type of Birth Certificate

Before you begin, it’s important to understand that only certified copies issued by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics or a Florida county Health Department are eligible for an apostille.

*Hospital-issued birth certificates or photocopies will not be accepted.
*Look for a raised seal, stamp, and signature from the issuing authority.

If you need help ordering the right kind of certified birth certificate, we can assist you.

Step 2: Determine Where the Apostille Will Be Used

Is the country you’re sending the document to a member of the Hague Apostille Convention? If so, you’ll need an apostille. If not, you’ll likely need a more complex process called “authentication and legalization.”

We can confirm the requirements for your specific destination.

Step 3: Submit the Certified Birth Certificate to the Florida Department of State

In Florida, the apostille is issued by the Division of Corporations at the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee. The submission must include:

• The certified birth certificate 
• A cover letter specifying the destination country 
• The appropriate processing fee (currently $10 per document) 
• A self-addressed stamped envelope (optional, but helpful)

Step 4: Let A Notary On The Go Florida Handle It for You

Sound like a lot? It is. That’s why most people turn to an experienced notary service like ours.

At A Notary On The Go Florida, we provide a birth certificate apostille courier service—meaning we collect your certified document, submit it to the Florida Department of State on your behalf, and return it to you with the apostille attached.

You don’t need to drive to Tallahassee or stress over mailing delays or paperwork errors. We do it for you—accurately and fast.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Birth Certificate Apostille in Florida?

The typical processing time depends on several factors:

• Standard processing via mail: 7–14 business days (plus mailing time) 
• Rush processing via courier (like our service): 2–4 business days

If you need the apostille urgently, using a professional courier service like ours can shave off valuable days and avoid costly mistakes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When learning how to get a birth certificate apostille, avoid these common errors:

1. Submitting the wrong type of birth certificate
   As mentioned earlier, only state- or county-issued certified copies are valid. Hospital certificates or notarized photocopies will be rejected. 
2. Forgetting to specify the destination country
   The apostille is tailored to the destination country. If this is left off your request, it may be returned. 
3. Mismatching names or dates
   The document must exactly match your passport or legal name, especially for international matters like visas or citizenship. 
4. Using outdated documents
   Some countries require documents to be issued within the last 6 months. We can verify whether your birth certificate is still acceptable.

Can I Apostille Someone Else’s Birth Certificate?

Yes, but with conditions. If you’re requesting a birth certificate apostille on behalf of a child, spouse, or parent, you must be legally authorized. This often means providing additional documentation, such as:

• Proof of relationship 
• Power of attorney 
• Court order or consent form

We can help you navigate these requirements to avoid delays.

Apostille vs. Notarization: What’s the Difference?

Many people confuse notarization with apostille certification. They are completely different processes:

• Notarization confirms that the person signing a document is who they say they are. 
• Apostille confirms that a public document, like a birth certificate, is authentic and valid for international use.

A birth certificate does not need to be notarized before getting an apostille. It just needs to be an official certified copy issued by the proper authority.

How A Notary On The Go Florida Makes It Easy

We understand how confusing and time-consuming international paperwork can be. Our team has helped hundreds of Floridians successfully apostille birth certificates, marriage certificates, powers of attorney, and more.

Here’s what sets our birth certificate apostille service in Florida apart:

• We’re based in Tallahassee, where apostilles are issued
• We know the exact documentation needed for over 100 countries
• We offer fast turnaround options and secure document handling
• We eliminate the risk of rejections, returns, or processing delays

Whether you’re located in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, or anywhere else in the state—or even out of state—you can mail your certified document to us, and we’ll take it from there.

Real Example: Apostille for Dual Citizenship

One of our recent clients needed a birth certificate apostille for Spain to obtain dual citizenship. They lived in Fort Lauderdale and had no time to deal with mailing delays.

We guided them through ordering the correct birth certificate, collected the paperwork, submitted it in Tallahassee, and returned it to them with the apostille in just 3 business days. They were able to submit everything on time—and stress-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use a birth certificate from another state?

No, each state has its own apostille authority. If your birth certificate was issued in another state, it must be apostilled there.

Q: What if I live outside Florida but need a Florida-issued apostille?

No problem! You can mail your documents to us, and we’ll return them via secure courier.

Q: How much does it cost?

Our fees are affordable and depend on the level of service and how quickly you need the apostille. Contact us for a custom quote.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to get a birth certificate apostille can save you time, stress, and international complications. And if you’re trying to figure out how to get a birth certificate apostille in Florida, trust the professionals who do this every day.

At A Notary On The Go Florida, we specialize in reliable, fast, and accurate apostille services for all types of vital records. Whether you’re preparing for international travel, school, marriage, or residency, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s get your birth certificate apostilled—fast, easy, and stress-free. Contact us today.