How to Get a Divorce Decree Apostille in Florida

Whether you're remarrying overseas, applying for foreign residency, or completing an international legal matter, you may be required to present your Florida divorce decree with an apostille — an internationally recognized authentication certificate that confirms the document is genuine and was issued by a legitimate authority.

The process can feel overwhelming if you've never done it before. This guide walks you through every step, from understanding what an apostille is to submitting your documents — and explains how Century Document Services can handle the entire process on your behalf.

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is a certification issued under the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961, a treaty signed by more than 120 countries. It authenticates the origin of a public document so that it will be recognized as valid in any member country without further legalization. For a Florida divorce decree, the apostille is issued by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations — the same office that handles business filings and other official state certifications.

It is important to understand that an apostille does not translate your document or verify its contents. It simply confirms that the document was issued by a recognized Florida authority and that any notarization or official seal on it is legitimate.

Does Your Divorce Decree Qualify for an Apostille?

Not every divorce-related document qualifies for a Florida apostille. Here's what you need to know:

• Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage — This is the court-issued document that officially ends the marriage. It must bear the clerk of court's certification or an original court seal to be eligible for apostille.
• Certified copy from the clerk of court — A plain photocopy will not be accepted. You must obtain a certified copy directly from the clerk of the circuit court in the county where your divorce was finalized.
• Notarized documents — If your divorce agreement or related documents were notarized, those may also be eligible depending on the destination country's requirements.

If you are unsure which document your destination country requires, contact the foreign embassy or consulate for that country in the United States before proceeding.

Step-by-Step: Getting a Florida Divorce Decree Apostille

Step 1 — Obtain a Certified Copy of Your Divorce Decree

Contact the clerk of the circuit court in the Florida county where your divorce was granted. Request a certified copy of your Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. Most county clerks offer in-person, mail-in, and online ordering options. There is typically a small fee per page for certified copies.

Common Florida counties and their clerk offices include Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough, Orange, and Duval. If your divorce was finalized in another state, you will need to contact that state's apostille authority — Florida can only apostille Florida-issued documents.

Step 2 — Confirm the Destination Country Is a Hague Convention Member

The apostille process applies only to countries that are signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention. If the country you are submitting to is not a member, you will need a different authentication process — typically legalization through the U.S. Department of State and then the destination country's embassy. Century Document Services can advise you on which process applies to your situation.

Step 3 — Submit Your Document to the Florida Department of State

The Florida Department of State processes apostille requests at its Tallahassee office. You can submit your certified divorce decree by:

• In-person walk-in — Same-day processing is available at the Tallahassee office for an additional expedited fee.
• Mail-in — Standard processing typically takes 3–5 business days after receipt. Include a cover letter, your contact information, the document, the correct fee, and a prepaid return envelope.
• Through a courier and filing service — Century Document Services handles submission on your behalf, including same-day walk-in delivery when time is critical.

Step 4 — Receive Your Apostilled Document

Once processed, the Florida Department of State attaches the apostille certificate to your divorce decree. The completed document is then returned to you — or to us, if you used our service — and is ready for use in the destination country.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting a plain photocopy — Only certified copies from the clerk of court are accepted. Photocopies will be rejected.
• Wrong document type — Ensure you have the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, not just a divorce certificate or settlement agreement, unless the receiving country specifically requests otherwise.
• Incorrect fee — The Florida Department of State charges a per-document apostille fee. Submitting the wrong amount will delay processing.
• Not confirming country membership — Always verify that the destination country is a Hague Convention member before pursuing an apostille.
• Expired or outdated documents — Some countries require that apostilled documents be issued within a certain timeframe. Check with the receiving authority before ordering your certified copy.

How Century Document Services Can Help

The apostille process involves multiple steps, strict document requirements, and tight deadlines — especially when international travel, remarriage timelines, or legal proceedings are involved. Century Document Services handles the entire process on your behalf through our Secretary of State Apostille Service.

Here's what we do for you:

• Review your certified divorce decree to confirm it meets Florida's apostille requirements
• Prepare and organize your submission package for the Florida Department of State
• Deliver your documents to the Tallahassee office — including same-day walk-in filing when your timeline is urgent
• Track your submission and provide status updates throughout the process
• Return your completed apostilled document to you via your preferred method

We offer both standard and expedited apostille processing. If you need your divorce decree apostilled quickly — for an upcoming international trip, a visa application, or a pending legal matter — our same-day courier service gets your documents to the state office immediately.

Learn more about our Apostille & Courier Services or contact us today to get started. Our team is ready to walk you through the process and make sure your documents are handled correctly the first time.