Florida Notarized Affidavit Apostille
Florida notarized affidavits are eligible for apostille when the original document has a complete notarial statement in English and original signatures.
This page gives you a practical pre-mail audit so affidavit packets pass on the first attempt.
At a Glance - Florida Snapshot
| Document Type | Original notarized affidavit |
|---|---|
| Apostille Authority | Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Apostilles Section) |
| State Fee | $10 per document |
| Notary Rule | Complete English notarial statement required |
| 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 | Received-order queue |
| Primary Rejection Risk | Incomplete notary certificate or copy submission |
Florida Notarized Affidavit Acceptance
Florida accepted-doc guidance emphasizes full notarial detail and original signatures.
Accepted
- Original affidavit signed and notarized in Florida.
- Complete notarial statement in English.
- Visible notary signature and seal/stamp.
- Full request packet including payment and return shipping.
Not Accepted
- Unsigned affidavit drafts.
- Partial acknowledgments lacking required notarial elements.
- Photocopies of notarized originals.
- Out-of-state notarized affidavits submitted to Florida DOS.
Requirements Checklist
Must Have
- Final affidavit text reviewed before notarization.
- Florida notary execution with complete certificate wording.
- Apostille request form completed.
- Payment and return envelope/label.
- Contact information for resolution calls/emails.
Destination-Country Checks
- Confirm destination authority accepts affidavit format and terminology.
- Check translation requirements and sequence.
- Confirm whether destination requires legalization beyond apostille.
- Prepare multiple originals if multiple filings are expected.
Mail Packet Checklist
Use this sequence when preparing your notarized affidavit submission packet for Florida.
- Original notarized affidavit.
- Request form with destination country.
- $10 payment per affidavit.
- Return shipping materials.
- Optional cover note with intended legal use.
Step-by-Step Florida Process
- Finalize affidavit text and verify legal purpose.
- Sign before Florida notary and validate complete notarial wording.
- Complete apostille request form and attach payment.
- Assemble packet with return envelope or prepaid label.
- Submit to Florida Apostilles Section.
- Keep apostille attached to affidavit in final foreign filing set.
Fees and Processing Details
| Service Item | Florida Guidance |
|---|---|
| Apostille fee | $10 per document |
| Notary fee | Separate private service fee |
| Expedited mail | Not offered |
| Walk-in filing | Available in Tallahassee |
| Payment type | Check or money order |
Top Rejection Scenarios and Fixes
| Issue | Why It Fails | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Notary certificate incomplete | Document fails accepted-doc requirements | Re-notarize with complete certificate language. |
| Copy submitted instead of original | Original signature authenticity cannot be validated | Submit original notarized document. |
| Out-of-state notarization | Florida cannot apostille non-Florida notary acts | 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 notarized copy?▼
Florida requires original signatures; notarized copies are generally not accepted for this route.
Must notarial wording be in English?▼
Yes. Florida accepted-doc guidance specifies English notarial statements.
Can I use a notary from another state?▼
If notarized outside Florida, use that state’s apostille authority.
What is the apostille fee?▼
$10 per document.
Can I submit by mail?▼
Yes, with full packet and return shipping setup.
Can someone else file for me?▼
Yes, third-party submission is allowed.
Affidavit apostille quality depends on notary quality. The apostille office validates what you provide; it does not repair incomplete notarization.
Run a two-minute pre-mail check: original signature, full notarial block, payment, return label. That one checklist prevents most rejections.
Verification Log
Official Sources Used For This Page
Below are the official government and convention sources used to prepare and verify this page.