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Florida death certificate apostille
Get an Apostille for a Florida Death Certificate
If you need to use a Florida death certificate internationally, an apostille is required for acceptance in Hague Convention countries.
We manage the entire apostille process quickly and accurately, ensuring your document is properly authenticated and ready for legal use abroad—without unnecessary delays or stress.
Contact us today to get started.
Have multiple documents from different states? No need to search each state.Florida apostille requirements for death certificates
A Florida state apostille will authenticate the signature of the State Registrar on a certified copy of a Florida death certificate.
The following signatures of the State Registrars (former and current) are acceptable for Florida apostilles:
- Ken Jones (current State Registrar)
- C. Meade Grigg
- Oliver Board
- Edward Williams
- Charles Mahan
Death certificates issued by local Health Departments are not eligible for apostilles / legalization.
Death certificates signed by a Deputy State Registrar are not eligible for apostilles / legalization.
Plain copies and notarized copies of death certificates cannot be apostilled.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
If you have an original death certificate, you can email a copy for a free document evaluation.
Get a Florida apostille
If you have the original death certificate and it is eligible for an apostille, send it to us by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a Florida apostille.
In the State of Florida, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document by a staple. It is signed by the Secretary of State (facsimile signature) and has the Great Seal of the State of Florida.
Florida apostille: $175
Processing time: 4-6 bus. days + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
Florida Apostilled Death Certificates for International Use
For someone intending to present a Florida death certificate in a foreign country, obtaining an apostille for the document is paramount. Whether it is for matters of inheritance, insurance claims, or other legal processes, the apostille serves as a universal validation that simplifies the acceptance of Florida death certificates on the international stage. Understanding the types of death certificates and the significance of apostille ensures a smoother and more efficient process for individuals navigating the complexities of international legal requirements.
Certification of Death vs. Death Certificate
The State of Florida issues two types of death records: certifications of death and death certificates.
Certifications of Death are public record without cause of death. Anyone may obtain certified copies without the cause of death information. The cause of death becomes public information after 50 years from the date of death. By Florida law, the cause of death is considered confidential prior to that time.
Death certificates which include the cause of death may only be issued to the decedent's spouse, parent, and (if of legal age) child, grandchild, or sibling, or anyone who provides a will, insurance policy or other document that demonstrates their interest in the estate of the decedent or anyone who provides documentation that he or she is acting on the behalf of any of the previously mentioned persons, or by court order.
The Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics (Florida Vital Records) issues certified copies of Florida death certificates for events which occurred in the State of Florida. You may order a certified copy of a Florida death certification (without cause of death) with an apostille through Foreign Documents Express on an expedited basis. If you need a certified copy of the death certificate with cause of death, we recommend using VitalChek.com or obtaining the document directly through the Florida Office of Vital Statistics.
To start the process of getting an apostille for a Florida death certificate, you must first have a certified copy. If you need several death certificates apostilled, for each Florida apostille you will need a certified copy. Please note that, under no circumstances, can a Florida vital record (including death certificates) be notarized. If the Secretary of State sees any kind of notarization on your document, the document will be rejected for an apostille.
Please note that social security numbers held by the Department of Health on death certificates are confidential and will only be issued to an eligible party requesting a confidential record, regardless of the date of death. Therefore, the first five digits of the decedent’s social security number will be redacted when issuing a public record request.
