Florida Background Check Apostille
Florida apostilles are available for Florida-issued background checks from FDLE and local law-enforcement agencies.
Federal FBI records follow a separate U.S. Department of State route, so this page helps you avoid jurisdiction errors.
At a Glance - Florida Snapshot
| Accepted Issuers | FDLE and local Florida law-enforcement agencies |
|---|---|
| Apostille Authority | Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Apostilles Section) |
| State Fee | $10 per document |
| Federal Records | Handled through U.S. Department of State, not Florida DOS |
| 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 federal or out-of-state record to Florida |
Florida Background Check Acceptance Scope
Florida accepted-doc guidance includes FDLE and local Florida background checks. Federal records are outside state jurisdiction.
Accepted
- Original FDLE background check record.
- Original local Florida law-enforcement background check.
- Request form, fee, and return shipping materials.
- Country-use details included in request packet.
Not Accepted
- FBI/federal reports submitted to Florida apostille authority.
- Out-of-state criminal records filed in Florida.
- Photocopies or screenshots of report PDFs.
- Incomplete packets without payment or return label.
Requirements Checklist
Must Have
- Correct issuer (FDLE/local Florida) confirmed.
- Original record in accepted format.
- Completed request form with destination country.
- $10 payment and return envelope/airbill.
- Backup contact details in packet.
Destination-Country Checks
- Check validity window for criminal-record age in destination country.
- Confirm translation/legalization requirements for non-English jurisdictions.
- If destination is non-Hague, prepare for additional legalization workflow.
- Use separate apostilled originals if multiple agencies require originals.
Mail Packet Checklist
Use this sequence when preparing your background check submission packet for Florida.
- Original FDLE/local Florida background check.
- Apostille request form completed.
- $10 payment per document.
- Return envelope or prepaid shipping label.
- Optional note confirming document issuer and intended country.
Step-by-Step Florida Process
- Confirm whether your record is Florida-issued or federal-issued.
- If Florida-issued, prepare original record and request form.
- Attach payment and return shipping materials.
- Submit to Florida Apostilles Section (mail or walk-in).
- If record is federal/FBI, switch to U.S. Department of State authentication workflow.
- Deliver apostilled record abroad with all pages attached.
Fees and Processing Details
| Service Item | Florida Guidance |
|---|---|
| Florida apostille fee | $10 per document |
| Background check issuance fee | Set by FDLE/local issuer |
| Federal record handling | Separate U.S. Department of State process |
| Expedited mail | Not offered by Florida DOS |
| Payment method | Check or money order |
Top Rejection Scenarios and Fixes
| Issue | Why It Fails | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Federal report sent to Florida DOS | Florida has no jurisdiction over federal documents | Use U.S. Department of State authentication path. |
| Out-of-state criminal report submitted | Florida only apostilles Florida-origin records | Submit to issuing state authority. |
| Scanned copy submitted | Original record path required | Submit original issued report. |
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 Florida apostille an FBI background check?▼
No. FBI/federal records must go through U.S. Department of State authentication.
Which checks are accepted by Florida?▼
FDLE and local Florida law-enforcement background checks are listed as accepted types.
What is the fee?▼
$10 per document for Florida apostille processing.
Can I submit by mail?▼
Yes, with complete packet and return shipping setup.
Can a third party submit?▼
Yes, third-party filing is allowed.
Does Florida provide expedited mail service?▼
No, expedited mail apostille service is not listed.
Jurisdiction mistakes are the top issue here. Confirm issuer first: state-issued goes to Florida, federal-issued goes to the U.S. Department of State.
Also verify country validity windows. Many authorities reject records that are technically valid but older than their local cutoff date.
Verification Log
Official Sources Used For This Page
Below are the official government and convention sources used to prepare and verify this page.