What is an apostille?

• The 1961 Hague Convention established the apostille as a form of authentication for its member states.
• An apostille is authentication of a public document in a foreign country. A public document is a document issued by an elected or appointed public official or has been notarized. For example, a marriage license, death certificate, school transcript, diploma, vehicle title, adoption records, criminal background checks, court documents, etc.
• The apostille certifies the authenticity of the issuing official or notary public’s signature.
• Each state designates a Competent Authority who issues an apostille for a public document.
  • The Florida Secretary of State is the Competent Authority in Florida.
  • Only the Competent Authority can issue an apostille.
• Apostilles for the State of Florida are only issued at 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810 Tallahassee, FL 32303 by the Division of Corporations.