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Apostille/Exemplified Certificates

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An Apostille is a certification provided under the Hague convention of 1961 for authenticating documents for use in foreign countries.  An Exemplified certification covers those countries who did not sign the Hague Treaty.  The sole function of the Apostille or Exemplified certificate is to certify the authenticity of the signature of the document.  In Florida, the Apostille or Exemplified certificate contains the original signature of the State Registrar and the Secretary of State.

 

For use in another country, you can have a Florida vital record certification of birth, death, marriage or divorce certified as an Apostille or Exemplified by the Florida Department of State, by following these steps:

 

  • Complete the application below for the vital record needed.  This is the only application for certifications to be processed as Apostille or Exemplified. Please provide as much information as is known to you.  NOTE:  It is important that you read the front and back of the application before completing.

 

                       

     

                        Apostille Birth Application (English 887kb pdf)

                              Apostille Death Application (English 1.20mb pdf)

                              Apostille Marriage Application (English 644kb pdf)    

                              Apostille Dissolution Application (English 811kb pdf)

 

 

  • Include correct payment (calculated from application) by check or money order made out to Vital Statistics;

     

  • If a Birth certification or Death with Cause of Death, include a copy of a valid current PICTURE ID (Driver's License, State Identification Card, Passport, and/or Military Identification Card);

 

  • Mail completed & signed application, payment and ID to:

 

            Bureau of Vital Statistics

            P.O. Box 210

           Jacksonville, Florida 32231-0042

           

  • NOTE: The certification you receive from our office will not yet be an Apostille or Exemplified.  You will need to forward the certificate to the Florida Department of State, clearly stating that it is for certification as Apostille or Exemplified and what country it is for.  The fee to the Department of State is $10 per certificate.

 

  • The address for mailing to the DOS is:  Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Certification, P.O. Box 6800, Tallahassee, FL  32314-6800; telephone (850) 245-6945.  If wanting walk in service or using a courier delivery, the address is Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Certification, Clifton Building, 2661 Executive Center Circle, Tallahassee, FL  32301. We urge you visit their website at www.dos.state.fl.us/ for information you will need regarding their requirements, processing time, fees, etc.  Once you access their website, select Corporations, then Apostilles.