Hillsborough County Apostille Services

1. Email copies and destination instructions to us

• Email clear scans or photos to [email protected] with your document type, issuing state or federal agency, destination country and deadline.
• Share the receiving authority's instructions so Miami Dade Apostille can review the preparation needed before you order copies, sign documents or send originals.
• Contact us for the next steps and available service.

Ask us about processing as soon as the same day

• Standard state processing can take months. Miami Dade Apostille offers processing as soon as the same day for eligible documents. Contact us to confirm availability.
• We review your document type, issuing authority, destination and deadline before confirming the available service.
• Preparation, shipping, translation, federal processing or additional legalization can add time.

Current state queue information

• Florida publishes the receipt dates it is currently processing.
• That queue information can change and does not guarantee a turnaround for a new request.
• Contact Miami Dade Apostille so our team can review the expected timing and available service for your documents.

2. Review the issuing authority and destination with our team

• 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, then share those instructions with Miami Dade Apostille.
• Where the Apostille Convention applies with the United States, our team coordinates the appropriate apostille process.
• Other destinations may require authentication and additional legalization.
• A Florida document, an out-of-state record and a federal background check may require different authorities even when their owner lives in Tampa.

3. Confirm the certified record needed before sending it to us

• 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.
• Contact Miami Dade Apostille with the available record so we can review which certified copy is needed before you order or send documents.

Need a missing record before we can process your documents?

• If you already have your documents, send copies to Miami Dade Apostille for review first.
• The local resources below identify the official custodians and preparation requirements when a certified record is missing or an academic document needs registrar preparation.
• Some records must be requested by an eligible applicant.
• Contact us before ordering so we can review the required format.
• Once the necessary document is ready, send it to Miami Dade Apostille using our confirmed delivery instructions.

If you need a Hillsborough birth certificate

• The county Health Department offers online, mail and in-person birth-certificate ordering. A valid photo ID and completed application are required, subject to the applicant's eligibility.
• Its guidance sends pre-1930 and sealed-record requests to the Bureau in Jacksonville.
• Tax Collector certificate services are also listed.
• Obtaining a birth certificate is a preparation step, separate from apostille processing.
• Contact Miami Dade Apostille first to review the certificate needed for your destination.
• If a new copy is necessary, an eligible applicant follows the county's official ordering instructions; then send the required certified copy to us using our confirmed instructions.
• Hillsborough Vital Statistics can be reached at 813-307-8002.

University Area Vital Statistics: underlying-record addresses

• The University Area Vital Statistics office provides birth and death certificate services at 13601 N. 22nd Street, Tampa, FL 33613-4427.
• Its published mailing address for vital-record requests is P.O. Box 5135, Tampa, FL 33675-5135.
• Call 813-307-8002 to confirm current service arrangements before visiting or sending a record application.
• Contact Miami Dade Apostille before ordering a missing copy so we can review the document format needed.
• These Health Department addresses are for obtaining underlying records; once the required copy is ready, send it to Miami Dade Apostille using our confirmed delivery instructions for apostille service.

Find the right Hillsborough Clerk record before ordering

• The Clerk distinguishes court records, such as divorce, criminal cases and other lawsuits, from Official Records, such as marriage certificates and recorded property deeds.
• Its eCertify service uses the court-record search or the Official Records index depending on the record.
• Contact Miami Dade Apostille with the document or case details before purchasing a missing copy.
• Identify the correct case or recorded instrument, and let our team review the certification format against the Clerk's options and applicable state requirements.
• Do not assume a printed PDF automatically meets apostille requirements.
• After review, send the required certified record to us using our delivery instructions.

USF diplomas: registrar preparation before sending them to us

• Contact Miami Dade Apostille before requesting USF diploma preparation.
• USF requires registrar notarization of the original diploma before the apostille step.
• Order a replacement with notarization requested, or provide an undamaged original and signed letter with your USF ID and return address or pickup contact details.
• Only legal-name diplomas may be notarized; damaged originals require replacement.
• The registrar is at 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 1102, Tampa, FL 33620.
• USF cannot forward the diploma directly to the state.
• After USF returns it, send the prepared diploma to Miami Dade Apostille using our confirmed delivery instructions; our team coordinates the Florida submission.
• Ask USF separately about transcripts, which are a different record.

Review 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, contact Miami Dade Apostille before signing so we can review the required execution and notarial certificate.
• Florida business filings need an original state-issued certified copy or certificate of status rather than a simple online printout.
• Our team reviews each item individually so the certification fits the document and confirms what you should send to us.

A Clerk notarization is one preparation step

• The Hillsborough Clerk describes its notary service as signature notarization and identifies the Florida Secretary of State as the authority for apostille certifications.
• Having a signature notarized therefore does not finish the international authentication process.
• Contact Miami Dade Apostille before signing.
• We can discuss eligible remote online notarization after checking identity, witnesses, document suitability and the receiving authority's requirements.
• An online notarization does not change the issuing authority of a birth certificate or other public record.
• Our team reviews the prepared document and coordinates the applicable authentication steps.

4. Send the required documents to Miami Dade Apostille

• After our review, send the originals or certified copies our team identifies to Miami Dade Apostille.
• Contact us before shipping and use the delivery instructions we confirm for your request.
• We confirm the receiving address and document format.
• Scans or photos support the initial review; our team explains which documents are required for processing.

5. Our team coordinates the government submission

• Miami Dade Apostille coordinates the applicable state or federal submission and return arrangements.
• Qualifying Florida documents use the Florida Department of State process; another state's documents require that state's competent authority, and federal documents follow the federal process.
• The competent government authority issues the apostille or authentication.
• Contact our team with the complete document list, then send the required documents to us using our confirmed instructions.

We coordinate the separate federal process for FBI reports

• An FBI background check is a federal record and uses the U.S. Department of State authentication process.
• A local court record is not the same document as an FBI report.
• Contact Miami Dade Apostille with the complete list of records your overseas application requires so our team can coordinate the appropriate state and federal submissions.
• Send the required documents to us after review, using our confirmed delivery instructions.
• Federal processing has its own timeline; same-day Florida availability does not establish same-day federal service.

6. Confirm translation and return arrangements with us

• Contact Miami Dade Apostille with the recipient's translation requirements and your return-delivery details.
• Translation services are available, and eligible notarization can be discussed before you sign.
• We explain preparation steps and coordinate the applicable submission and return arrangements.
• Miami Dade Apostille is a private coordinator, not a government agency or law firm. We do not issue apostilles or provide legal advice, and the receiving authority determines its requirements.
• We assist clients in Plant City, Tampa and Temple Terrace; our Miami offices are separate from Hillsborough 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.

Working toward a deadline?

• If you're working toward a deadline, message us before sending your documents.
• We can review requirements, help avoid preventable delays and coordinate the correct process.
• Some documents may be eligible for same-day service; send your document type and destination country to confirm availability.

Frequently asked questions

Hillsborough County locations served

Contact Miami Dade Apostille first for review and confirmed delivery instructions. We assist clients throughout Hillsborough County; an in-person visit to our Miami offices is not required. After review, send the required originals or certified copies to us using the instructions confirmed for your request.

• Plant City
• Tampa
• Temple Terrace

Sources

• U.S. Department of State: apostille requirements ↗
• Florida Department of State: accepted documents for apostille ↗
• Florida Department of State: apostille and notarial certification ↗
• Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County: birth certificates ↗
• Florida Department of Health: University Area Vital Statistics ↗
• Hillsborough County Clerk: eCertify ↗
• Hillsborough County Clerk: notary services ↗
• USF Registrar: diplomas ↗