Duval County Apostille Services

Start with the issuing authority and destination

• An apostille authenticates an official signature or seal; it does not verify the contents or guarantee that a foreign recipient will accept a document for every purpose.
• Confirm the exact record, required language and document age with the receiving authority.
• Where the Apostille Convention applies with the United States, use the appropriate apostille route.
• Other destinations may require authentication and additional legalization.
• A Florida document, an out-of-state record and a federal background check may need different offices even when their owner lives in Jacksonville.

Florida birth, death and marriage records

• The Florida Department of State accepts qualifying birth and death certificates bearing the State Registrar's signature from the Bureau of Vital Statistics or county health department.
• Marriage and dissolution certificates may come from the Bureau or the appropriate court clerk.
• A notary-certified photocopy cannot replace a properly certified public record.
• If the recipient asks for a divorce decree, check whether it needs the complete court judgment rather than a vital-record certificate summarizing the event.

Ordering a Florida birth certificate in Duval

• Duval's Health Department offers birth-certificate ordering in person, by mail and through its official online ordering options.
• A completed application, acceptable identification and eligibility to obtain the record are required.
• Its guidance directs older and sealed-record requests to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• Call 904-253-1620 before ordering if you are unsure which office holds the record or which identification is acceptable.
• Tell the office the certificate will be used abroad so you can confirm the appropriate certified version.

Jacksonville record offices and the Tallahassee apostille step

• The county Vital Statistics office lists its physical location at 3225 University Boulevard South, Jacksonville, FL 32216.
• Call 904-253-1620 to confirm current visit arrangements and the correct mailing instructions before sending an application.
• Do not assume that an office's physical address is its mailing address.
• Jacksonville also houses Florida's state Bureau of Vital Statistics, which is a different office.
• Obtaining the underlying certificate locally or from the Bureau is separate from the Florida Department of State's apostille processing in Tallahassee.

Duval marriage, property and other recorded documents

• The Clerk's Official Records Department holds recorded marriage licenses, deeds, mortgages, judgments and other recorded instruments.
• Its online service offers electronic certified copies of Official Records recorded since 1988; ordinary free downloads are uncertified.
• For older records, ask staff to locate the instrument.
• Official Records and Research is at 501 West Adams Street, Room 1253, Jacksonville, FL 32202; call 904-255-2025.
• Mail requests can include an email address for an electronic copy or a self-addressed stamped envelope for a paper copy.
• Before purchasing, confirm the certification format needed for the Florida apostille process.
• A printed electronic file should not be assumed to meet every international submission requirement.

UNF diplomas and transcripts: request new notarized copies

• The University of North Florida tells students not to submit original diplomas or transcripts for its apostille preparation service.
• Instead, the student must initiate a request for new official copies using the university's request form, government identification and required payment.
• The legal name must match university records, and account holds can prevent release.
• UNF orders and notarizes the records but does not forward them to the Florida Department of State.
• Arrange the separate state submission after the records are returned.
• Mail requests go to UNF Registrar's Office, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224-7699.
• In-person requests require a OneStop appointment at Building 10, Suite 1400.
• Check current instructions with [email protected] before sending materials.

Private documents, school transcripts and business records

• Florida public-school or university transcripts need a registrar or issuing official's signature and notarization with a full notarial statement under state guidance.
• For affidavits, powers of attorney and other private documents, confirm the required signing and notarial certificate before execution.
• Florida business filings need an original state-issued certified copy or certificate of status rather than a simple online printout.
• Each item should be reviewed individually so that the certification fits the document being submitted.

Notarization and apostille are different steps

• Notarization prepares an eligible private document; it does not produce an apostille.
• We can discuss remote online notarization after checking identity, witnesses, document suitability and recipient requirements.
• It does not replace official certification of a public record.
• Confirm preparation before signing or sending originals.

FBI reports follow the federal route

• An FBI background check is a federal record and goes through the U.S. Department of State authentication process, not a Florida state apostille submission.
• A local court record is not the same document as an FBI report.
• If your overseas application asks for several records, share the complete list so we can coordinate state and federal submissions separately and help avoid sending the entire package to the wrong authority.

How we coordinate your Duval County documents

• Start by sharing the document type, issuing state or federal agency, destination country and recipient's instructions.
• We review preparation needs, help identify the appropriate record or notarization, and coordinate the applicable submission and return arrangements.
• Translation services are available when needed.
• Miami Dade Apostille is a private coordinator, not a government agency or law firm; we do not issue apostilles or provide legal advice.
• We assist clients in Atlantic Beach, Baldwin, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach.
• Our Miami offices are separate from Duval government offices.
• Submit review requests to [email protected] 24/7, 365 days a year. We typically reply in approximately two hours during regular business hours.

Frequently asked questions

Duval County communities served

Miami Dade Apostille serves clients throughout Duval County by mail and coordination. Documents can be sent from anywhere in the county — no in-person visit to our office is required.

• Atlantic Beach
• Baldwin
• Jacksonville
• Jacksonville Beach
• Neptune Beach

Sources

• U.S. Department of State: apostille requirements ↗
• Florida Department of State: accepted documents for apostille ↗
• Florida Department of Health in Duval County: birth certificates ↗
• Florida Department of Health: Duval Vital Statistics location ↗
• Duval County Clerk: Official Records and Research ↗
• UNF Registrar: apostille diplomas and transcripts ↗