DOCUMENT APOSTILLE GUIDE
Florida Professional Licenses & Certifications Apostille Requirements
Learn how to prepare your document for apostille processing, including applicable notarization requirements, required certifications, and important submission guidelines.
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Preparation Requirements
Obtain the Professional License or CertificationÂ
Request an official license verification, certification letter, or certified record from the Florida agency or professional licensing board that issued the credential. Â
Verify the Issuing AuthorityÂ
Confirm that the document identifies the licensing agency, license holder, license information, and authorized certifying official. Â
Request Official CertificationÂ
Ask the issuing agency for a certified document suitable for apostille processing. A regular online license lookup or printed license may not be sufficient. Â
Avoid Improper NotarizationÂ
Florida notaries cannot certify photocopies of professional licenses issued by the State of Florida. Obtain proper official certification instead. Â
Submit for ApostilleÂ
Submit the eligible original certified document to the Florida Department of State for apostille processing. Â
Important RestrictionsÂ
Certification procedures vary by licensing agency. Confirm that the document bears an official signature that the Florida Department of State can authenticate.
Required Certification
Official Agency Certification
Professional licenses issued by Florida government agencies should be supported by an official license verification or certification issued by the appropriate licensing agency.
The document must contain an original official signature or certification that the Florida Department of State can authenticate.
Not all printed license verifications or online licensing records automatically qualify for apostille processing. Confirm the issuing agency's certification procedure before submitting the document.
Florida notaries cannot certify photocopies of professional licenses issued by the State of Florida. An officially certified record should be requested from the appropriate licensing authority.
Important Note
Requirements may vary depending on the issuing agency and type of professional credential.
Authorized Official SignatureÂ
The certification must bear a signature from an authorized government official that can be authenticated by the Florida Department of State. Â
Notarization RestrictionsÂ
A Florida notary public cannot attest to a photocopy of a professional license issued by the State of Florida. Â
Privately Issued CertificationsÂ
Certificates issued by private professional organizations may qualify through proper Florida notarization of an authorized signer's signature. Â
Original Document RequirementÂ
Submit the eligible original certified or properly notarized document. Ordinary photocopies are not accepted for apostille processing. Â
Important NoteÂ
Documents issued by federal agencies or authorities outside Florida may require apostille processing through a different jurisdiction.