A Florida marriage certificate apostille certifies your Florida marriage record for legal use in any of the 125+ Hague Apostille Convention countries. The process requires a certified copy of the marriage record — from the county clerk or the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics — which we submit in person to the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee. Online Florida Apostille handles the entire process — delivering your apostilled marriage certificate in about 6 business days. Call 954-999-4933 Monday through Saturday 7AM to 5PM Eastern.
Who Needs a Florida Marriage Certificate Apostille?
You need a Florida marriage certificate apostille when you plan to use your Florida marriage record in a foreign country. Common situations include:
- Applying for a spouse visa or dependent visa abroad
- Changing your name internationally after marriage
- Registering your Florida marriage in a foreign country’s civil registry
- Applying for dual citizenship or foreign residency based on marriage
- Property or inheritance matters in another country that require proof of marriage
- International employment that requires verified marital status
What Type of Florida Marriage Certificate Can Be Apostilled?
Not every marriage document qualifies for a Florida apostille. The Florida Department of State accepts a certified marriage certificate from either of two sources:
Option 1 — Certified Copy from the County Clerk
This is a certified copy issued by the clerk of circuit court in the county where your marriage license was recorded. The Florida state apostille fee for a Clerk-certified document is $20 ($10 for the apostille and $10 for the Certificate of Incumbency) — even if you ordered the certified copy through the Clerk’s online system, because the fee depends on who certified the document, not how you ordered it. The certified copy must have:
- The clerk’s official stamp or raised seal
- The clerk’s original or electronic signature
- A certification statement confirming it is a true and correct copy
A plain photocopy of your marriage certificate — even one you personally certified — does not qualify. It must be an official certified copy issued by the clerk’s office or the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Option 2 — Marriage Certificate from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics issues a marriage certificate signed by the State Registrar for marriages recorded since June 6, 1927, once the record reaches the Bureau — about 60 days after the ceremony. The Florida state apostille fee for a certificate signed by the State Registrar is $10. You can order it from the Bureau in Jacksonville or through VitalChek, its contracted vendor. In our own filings in Tallahassee, Bureau marriage certificates signed by Ken Jones — the State Registrar on certificates issued today — go through without trouble, and Clerk-certified copies go through as well. Ask the office that will receive your document whether it prefers one version. When you order through Online Florida Apostille, the Florida state fee — $10 or $20 — is already included in our price.
Which County Issued Your Marriage License?
Marriage licenses in Florida are issued by the county clerk in the county where the license was purchased — not necessarily where the ceremony took place. If you are not sure which county has your record, the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains a statewide index of marriage records from June 6, 1927 forward. For marriages before that date, contact the county clerk directly.
Do NOT Add a Notarization to a Certified Marriage Certificate
This is one of the most common mistakes we see. Government-issued certified documents — including marriage certificates — should not be notarized before apostille submission. Adding a notarization to a clerk-certified document can complicate the apostille process and may result in rejection. If the Florida Department of State cannot verify the certification, they will return your document.
Step-by-Step: How to Get a Florida Marriage Certificate Apostille
Step 1 — Order a Certified Copy
Contact the clerk of circuit court in the county where your Florida marriage license was recorded. Request a certified copy specifically for apostille purposes. Fees vary by county — typically $1 to $3 per page plus a certification fee. Many clerks offer online ordering. The clerk will mail your certified copy directly to you. Alternatively, order a marriage certificate signed by the State Registrar from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics or VitalChek (see Option 2 above).
Step 2 — Contact Online Florida Apostille
Call 954-999-4933 before shipping your document. Our team will confirm your certified copy meets Florida Department of State requirements and give you exact shipping instructions. This pre-review prevents rejection and saves significant time.
Step 3 — Ship Your Certified Copy to Us
Ship your original certified marriage certificate to Online Florida Apostille using FedEx or UPS with tracking. Include your name, phone number, destination country, and return address. Send the certified copy itself — not a photocopy of it.
Step 4 — We Submit In Person in Tallahassee
Our agent reviews your document and submits it in person at the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations Apostille Section. Your marriage certificate receives the official Florida apostille certificate — a government-issued security document that cannot be photocopied.
Step 5 — FedEx Return Delivery
Your apostilled marriage certificate ships back to you via FedEx 2-Day, or Priority Overnight if you choose the upgrade. Total turnaround: about 6 business days from when we receive your document.
Country-Specific Requirements for Marriage Certificate Apostilles
Italy
Italy requires a certified Italian translation of your Florida marriage certificate in addition to the apostille. The translation must be completed by a sworn translator recognized in Italy. Online Florida Apostille can coordinate translation services upon request.
Spain
Spain accepts Florida apostilled marriage certificates for civil registration and name change purposes. Spanish authorities may require a sworn translation by a translator certified by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mexico
Mexico accepts Florida apostilled marriage certificates for civil registry and immigration purposes. Spanish translation may be required depending on the specific use and the receiving authority.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom accepts Florida apostilled marriage certificates without translation. UK authorities frequently request apostilled marriage certificates for spousal visa applications and name change records.
Germany
Germany requires a certified German translation of your apostilled Florida marriage certificate. The translation must be prepared by a certified German court translator.
How Long Does a Florida Marriage Certificate Apostille Take?
| Service | Turnaround | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online Florida Apostille — Standard | About 6 business days | In-person Tallahassee submission |
| Florida DOS — Mail-In | 25–35 business days | No tracking, rejection risk |
Common Mistakes That Cause Marriage Certificate Apostille Rejection
- Submitting a photocopy — Only an official certified copy — from the county clerk or the Bureau of Vital Statistics — qualifies
- Wrong county — A Clerk-certified copy must come from the clerk in the county where the license was issued
- Missing clerk certification — A Clerk copy needs the clerk’s stamp or seal, signature and certification statement
- Adding unnecessary notarization — Do not notarize a clerk-certified document
- Incorrect payment — Florida DOS requires check or money order, no cash or credit cards
Our pre-submission review catches every one of these issues before your document is submitted. See our complete Florida Apostille Rejection Report 2026 for the full list of rejection causes.
Get Started Today
Call 954-999-4933 Monday through Saturday 7AM to 5PM Eastern. Our team will confirm your certified marriage certificate qualifies and give you exact instructions. Results in about 6 business days.
Check if your document is ready with our free document pre-check.
Marriage certificates are often part of a citizenship-by-descent application. See how they fit in our dual citizenship apostille guide.
A certified Florida marriage certificate — from the county clerk or the Bureau of Vital Statistics — needs no notarization and can be apostilled directly. $199 first document, $75 each additional, about 6 business days, or about 4 with the overnight upgrade.