Florida
Federal Marriage Record Apostille in Florida
How Florida residents get their Federal Marriage Record authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the Florida Department of State can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
Most federal marriage record holders in Florida actually have a state-issued record, which goes to the Florida Department of State. Only genuinely federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Authenticated by
- Depends on the issuer
- Florida apostille office
- Florida Department of State, Tallahassee
- Our nearest office
- Miami, West Palm Beach
- Price
- $299 per document, government fees included
Married in Florida? It’s probably a state record
Marriage certificates issued by a Florida county clerk or the state vital records office are state documents, apostilled by the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee — not by the U.S. Department of State. Only consular or federally issued marriage records take the federal route.
Send us a photo before ordering and we’ll tell you which route yours takes.
About the Federal Marriage Record
How to apostille a federally issued or consular marriage record for spousal visas and foreign registration.
What the Florida Department of State can do
The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee issues apostilles for documents signed by Florida officials — birth, death and marriage certificates from Florida registrars, Florida state-court records, and documents notarized by Florida notaries. It has no authority over federal documents such as FBI reports, USCIS certificates or IRS letters.
State offices set their own procedures and fees, so confirm current requirements with the office before submitting a state document.
Getting it done from Florida
We have an office in Florida: Miami and West Palm Beach. Most clients still send documents by mail — it’s the fastest route to Washington.
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | U.S. Department of State apostille | 10–12 business days |
| Non-Hague country | Authentication + embassy legalization | 15–17 business days |
Serving Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach and everywhere else in Florida.
Federal Marriage Record in Florida — FAQ
Can the Florida Department of State apostille my Federal Marriage Record?
Only if it's a Florida-issued record. County and state-issued versions go to the Florida Department of State; genuinely federal ones go to the U.S. Department of State.
Do I have to travel to Washington, D.C. from Florida?
No. We handle the Washington submission for you. Most Florida clients send their documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from Florida?
About 10–12 business days for Hague Convention countries and 15–17 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, plus shipping.
How much does it cost?
$299 per document for Hague countries, with government fees and U.S. shipping included; non-Hague destinations are $399 including embassy legalization.
Related: Federal Marriage Record — full guide · All documents in Florida · Federal vs. state apostille
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.