DOCUMENT APOSTILLE GUIDE
Florida Vehicle Documents 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
Identify the Vehicle Document
Determine whether the document is a Florida vehicle title, vehicle registration record, bill of sale, ownership affidavit, or other vehicle-related document.
Obtain a Certified Vehicle Title
For Florida vehicle titles, request an officially certified title from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
Verify the Certification
Ensure the certified title contains the appropriate official certification and authorized signature.
Prepare Private Vehicle Documents
Privately issued documents, such as bills of sale or ownership affidavits, may require proper notarization by a commissioned Florida notary public.
Submit for Apostille
Submit the original certified Florida vehicle title or eligible original notarized document to the Florida Department of State.
Important Restrictions
An ordinary photocopy of a vehicle title is not sufficient. Certification fees charged by FLHSMV are separate from apostille processing fees. Confirm the receiving country's requirements before submission.
Required Certification
Florida Vehicle Titles
Florida vehicle titles must be certified by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) before submission to the Florida Department of State for apostille processing.
A regular photocopy or uncertified vehicle title is not sufficient.
FLHSMV certification fees are separate from Florida Department of State apostille fees.
Official Certification
The certified title must contain an eligible official certification and authorized signature that the Florida Department of State can authenticate.
Privately Issued Vehicle Documents
Bills of sale, ownership affidavits, and similar private documents may qualify when properly notarized by a commissioned Florida notary public.
Notarial Certificate Requirements
The notarization must include the appropriate notarial act, state and county, date, signer's name, required identification statement, notary's original signature, and official seal.
Original Document Requirement
Submit the original officially certified vehicle title or eligible original notarized document. Ordinary photocopies are not accepted.
Important Note
A Florida apostille authenticates the eligible official or notarial signature. It does not verify vehicle ownership, liens, title status, or the accuracy of information contained in the document.