A Vital Warning for Florida Documents
The "State Registrar" Signature Rule
For Birth and Death Certificates, Florida is extremely strict. Signatures from a Local Registrar or a County Health Department Director are NOT ACCEPTABLE for apostille.
Your document MUST be signed by the STATE Registrar (e.g., Ken Detzner, C. Meade Grigg, or current equivalent) from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.
Checking your document: Look at the bottom signature line. If it says "Health Officer" or "Local Registrar", do not send it. Order a new one from Jacksonville.
Fill Out the Request Form (Step-by-Step)
Step 1 — Requestor Info
Provide the name, address, phone, and email of the person preparing the request. This is where they will contact you if there's a problem.
Step 2 — Document Details
List the country of destination. This determines if you get an "Apostille" (Hague) or "Notarial Certification" (Non-Hague). The process and form are the same for both.
Step 3 — Fee Calculation
Check who signed/certified your document to determine the fee:
- $10.00 — For documents notarized by a Florida Notary Public OR Vital Records signed by the State Registrar.
- $20.00 — For documents certified by a Clerk of the Court (e.g., Divorce Decree, Court Order). This fee covers $10 for the Apostille + $10 for the Certificate of Incumbency.
Make checks payable to: "Department of State".
Step 4 — Return Shipping
You MUST enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope or a pre-paid air bill (FedEx/UPS).
Note: Florida does not charge extra for return shipping, but they will not pay for it. If you don't include postage, your documents may be stuck.
Mailing Checklist
Package contents:
- Cover Letter / Request Form — Completed and signed
- Your Document(s) — Original certified copies or notarized originals
- Payment — Check or Money Order ($10 or $20 per doc)
- Return Envelope — Self-addressed with prepaid postage
Common Rejection Reasons (Florida-Specific)
- Local Registrar Signature — Sending a birth/death cert signed by a county health officer.
- Incorrect Fee — Sending $10 for a Court Clerk document (requires $20).
- Missing Notarial Block — Notarized doc only has a stamp, missing the full "Venue" (State of FL, County of...) and "Jurat" text.
- Photocopy — Sending a photocopy of a vital record.
Where to Mail
Division of Corporations
Apostille Certification
P.O. Box 6800
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6800
Courier/Walk-in Address: 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303.