Florida Articles of Incorporation Apostille
Florida corporate apostille filings should start with an original state-certified corporate record, not a plain record search printout.
This guide covers the certified-copy route, separate payment handling, and packet quality controls for foreign corporate use.
At a Glance - Florida Snapshot
| Core Document | Original Florida certified copy of Articles of Incorporation |
|---|---|
| Apostille Authority | Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Apostilles Section) |
| Apostille Fee | $10 per document |
| Corporate Record Fee | Certified copy fee is separate from apostille fee |
| Office Address | 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303 |
| Mailing Address | Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostilles Section, P.O. Box 6800, Tallahassee, FL 32314 |
| Processing Model | Queue-based processing |
| Primary Rejection Risk | Submitting non-certified corporate printout |
Corporate Record Acceptance Rules
Florida accepted-doc guidance for corporate records requires official certified copies from the state filing authority.
Accepted
- Original certified corporate copy issued by Florida Division of Corporations.
- Request form with destination-country details.
- Separate payment handling when ordering certified copies with apostille.
- Return shipping materials.
Not Accepted
- Plain search results or unofficial printouts.
- Photocopies of certified copies.
- Corporate records from other states submitted to Florida DOS.
- Combined payment where Florida requires separate fees/checks.
Requirements Checklist
Must Have
- Certified copy of Articles from Florida state records.
- Completed apostille request form.
- Correct payment setup for apostille and any record-ordering fees.
- Return envelope or prepaid shipping label.
- Entity details verified (name, document type, filing identifiers).
Destination-Country Checks
- Confirm destination requires apostille on Articles vs Certificate of Status only.
- Verify translation requirements for corporate bylaws/attachments.
- Check whether multiple originals are needed for bank + registry filings.
- If non-Hague destination, plan additional legalization path.
Mail Packet Checklist
Use this sequence when preparing your articles of incorporation submission packet for Florida.
- Original Florida certified copy of Articles of Incorporation.
- Completed apostille request form.
- Apostille payment + separate record fee payment when needed.
- Return shipping materials.
- Optional cover note identifying entity and intended country filing.
Step-by-Step Florida Process
- Order original certified Articles of Incorporation from Florida Division of Corporations.
- Confirm destination-country corporate filing requirements.
- Complete apostille request form and destination details.
- Prepare separate payments where required by Florida guidance.
- Submit packet by mail or walk-in in Tallahassee.
- Use apostilled certified copy in foreign corporate filing process.
Fees and Processing Details
| Service Item | Florida Guidance |
|---|---|
| Apostille fee | $10 per document |
| Certified-copy fee | Separate Division of Corporations fee |
| Payment handling | Separate checks may be required for combined requests |
| Expedited mail | Not offered |
| Payment type | Check or money order |
Top Rejection Scenarios and Fixes
| Issue | Why It Fails | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Unofficial corporate printout submitted | Florida requires certified records for public docs | Order original certified copy and resubmit. |
| Combined fees in one payment where separate required | Payment cannot be allocated correctly | Resubmit with separate payments per request type. |
| Wrong-state corporate record submitted | Florida cannot apostille non-Florida corporate filings | Use issuing state authority. |
If Destination Country Is Not in Hague Apostille Convention
A Florida apostille is designed for Hague Convention destinations. For non-Hague destinations, your document may require additional authentication/legalization after state-level processing.
- Confirm final legalization chain with the destination country consulate/embassy first.
- Keep the full document set intact; never detach certificates after issuance.
- Plan timing early because non-Hague flows can be significantly longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apostille a Sunbiz printout?▼
No. Florida requires original certified copies for corporate public records.
Why might I need separate checks?▼
Florida guidance for combined certified-copy + apostille requests can require separate payments.
What is the apostille fee?▼
$10 per document.
Can I submit by mail?▼
Yes, with complete packet and payment structure.
Can someone submit for the company?▼
Yes, third-party and agent submissions are common.
Does Florida apostille corporate records from other states?▼
No. Use the issuing state authority.
Corporate apostille delays usually come from record-source errors. If the document is not an original certified state copy, processing will stop.
Treat payment structure as a control point. Separate fees correctly when combining record ordering and apostille services.
Verification Log
Official Sources Used For This Page
Below are the official government and convention sources used to prepare and verify this page.