# FAQs: Attesting Documents > Frequently asked questions about authenticating documents and obtaining Apostille Stamps in #STATE3# - vital records, divorce judgements, certificates of good standing and degrees issued by #STATE3# universities. **Source** [FAQs - Authenticating Florida documents](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/florida-apostille-faqs)> **Related:** [Florida Apostille Service](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/florida-apostille-authentication) · [Apostille Florida Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/florida-apostille-vital-records) · [Apostille Florida University and School Diplomas](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/florida-apostille-school-records) · [Get a Quotation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry) --- ## General Questions ### How long does it take to obtain an apostille from Florida? Expedited apostilles can be obtained in Tallahassee. Documents are processed in **1 - 2 business days** (FLORIDA: Apostilles and Authentications are obtained from the Florida Secretary of State in 1-2 business days. NOTE: All processing times are estimated. Actual processing time is dependant on the authentication authority and is subject to change without prior notice.) ### What documents can be certified in Florida with an Apostille Stamp? Documents signed by officials and notaries public can be certified in for official use outside the United States, including vital record certificates (e.g. birth, death, marriage certificates), state police background checks, educational certificates, university diplomas and notarized private documents (e.g. power of attorney). Documents signed by Federal officials including [FBI Background Checks](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/-attest-background-checks) must be submitted directly to the Authentication Division of the U.S. Department of State.To confirm whether your document is valid for an Apostille Stamp, please [Contact Isarey](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/contact-Isarey) for a free document check. ### Will an apostille stamp from Florida be accepted abroad? If documents are required for submission to the authorities or consulate of a signatory country of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention), an apostille stamp affixed by the Secretary of State of will generally be recognized directly as confirming authenticity, although a [certified translation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/certified-sworn-translations) may also be required if presenting to a country that does not have English as an official language. If documents are required for presentation in a country that is not a signatory to the apostille convention (e.g. UAE, Qatar, Taiwan, Vietnam), then an apostille stamp is not valid. Documents will need to be authenticated at State level in , then by the State Department Authentication Division, and finally by the embassy or consulate of the destination country in the United States. A Certified Translation may also be required. ### Where can I find more information about certifying Florida documents? For further information about apostilles and authentications or to obtain a quote for assistance submitting your documents, with free eligibility pre-check, international collection and delivery by courier, please [Contact Isarey](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/contact-Isarey) or send Isarey your documents using Isarey's [Online Quotation Form](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry). ### What is a Florida Apostille Stamp and why would I need one? A Apostille is a certificate that is affixed by the Secretary of State to a public document. It certifies the authenticity of the signature appearing on the document as that of an authorized public official and confirms the capacity of that official (e.g. State Registrar, notary public). Apostille stamps are often required when submitting a document, such as a birth certificate, to the authorities of a foreign country or to a foreign embassy in the United States (for example, as part of a visa or citizenship application). Apostilles are recognised by the authorities and embassies of countries that are members of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) For more information on Apostilles, see: - [The ABCs of Apostilles (PDF)](https://assets.hcch.net/upload/abc12e.pdf) - [Florida Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/florida-apostille-authentication) ### Where can I see reviews of Isarey's Florida Attestation and Apostille Services? You can see reviews from past clients who have used Isarey's attestation and apostille services: - [ISAREY reviews on Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/isarey-document-attestation.com) - [ISAREY reviews on Google](https://goo.gl/maps/cuvbEYN25Xg5b8jg7) ### How can I obtain an Apostille Stamp to certify a document in Florida for use abroad? Apostille Stamps to authenticate documents can be obtained from the Secretary of State. Apostille stamps are only valid for documents that are required for submission to countries that are signatories to the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) - [Florida Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/florida-apostille-authentication) ### How do I legalize documents issued in Florida for submission to countries that are not members of the Apostille Convention? documents that need to be authenticated for non-apostille countries (e.g. United Arab Emirates, Qatar) must be authenticated by the Secretary of State with an Authentication Certificate and then attested by the recipient country's embassy in the United States. Most embassies will also require an additional authentication the [U.S. Department of State](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/replace-certify-docs/authenticate-your-document/office-of-authentications.html) in Washington DC. - [Florida Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/florida-apostille-authentication) ## Birth, death and marriage certificates ### How can I obtain a new certified copy of a Florida birth, death or marriage certificate suitable for an Apostille? Certified copies of Florida birth and death certificates can be obtained online via VitalChek. Alternatively, applications for new certificates may be made directly to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics (mail-in or walk-in service) or to the local county health department.Florida marriage certificates are also available via VitalChek and from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics (certificates for marriages that took place less than 60 days ago should be requested directly from the Clerk of Circuit Court where the marriage licence was issued). Isarey can obtain Florida marriage certificates for clients who need an Apostille stamp or authentication from the Florida Secretary of State. - [VitalChek - order Florida vital records](https://www.vitalchek.com/v/vital-records/florida/florida-vital-statistics) - |[Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics](https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates/index.html) - [Florida County Health Departments](https://www.floridahealth.gov/all-county-locations.html) - [Find a Florida Court Clerk](https://www.flclerks.com/) - [Apostille Florida Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/florida-apostille-vital-records) ### How can I obtain an apostille on a vital record certificate issued in Florida? Apostille stamps for birth, death and marriage certificates issued in Florida can be obtained from the Office of the Florida Secretary of State (Division of Corporations) in Tallahassee. To be eligible for an apostille, birth and death certificates must be issued by the [Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics](https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates/index.html) and signed by the State Registrar or issued by the County Health Department and signed by the State Registrar. Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Certificates must be signed by the State Registrar or the Clerk of the County Courts. For further information about obtaining apostille stamps on Florida vital records, see: [Apostille Florida Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/florida-apostille-vital-records) ## Criminal record certificates ### How can I obtain an apostille on a background check from Florida? A notarized State of Florida Criminal History Record Check can be obtained from the [Florida Department of Law Enforcement](http://www.fdle.state.fl.Isarey/Criminal-History-Records/Florida-Checks.aspx). This notarized certificate can then be certified by Apostille by the Florida Secretary of State. However, some overseas authorities require an FBI background check. See [FBI Background Checks](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/-attest-background-checks). ## Academic documents ### How can I authenticate Florida university degree certificates for use abroad? Original Florida university and high school diplomas can be authenticated by notarizing the signature of the school or university official in Florida. The notary's signature can then authenticated with an Apostille from the Florida Secretary of State in Tallahassee. Public School or University Transcripts must be signed by the School Registrar or an issuing official and notarized. Florida Private School or University Transcripts must be notarized as a copy and signed by the student or custodian. For further information, see: [Apostille STATE University Diplomas](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/florida-apostille-school-records) university degree certificates, course transcripts and high school diplomas can also be authenticated as notarized copies. A true copy is certified by a notary (this can often be done from a scan without having to submit the original) and then authenticated with an Apostille Stamp from the Washington DC Secretary of State. Authenticated documents can also be attested by the embassies of Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates. For further information, see: [University Degrees and School Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/United-States-apostille-academic-documents) ## Notarized documents ### How can I authenticate notarized documents in Florida for use abroad? Documents that have been notarized by a [Florida notary public](https://notaries.dos.state.fl.Isarey/not001.html) can be submitted to the Florida Secretary of State for certification by apostille. A [Full Notarial Satement](https://notaries.dos.state.fl.Isarey/notsam97.html) must be used (written in English). ### Can Florida Apostilles be obtained on documents not written in English? The document does not need to be in English, but the [Full Notarial Satement](https://notaries.dos.state.fl.Isarey/notsam97.html) must be written in English.