NATIONWIDE APOSTILLE
US Apostille Processing for All 50 States
Miami Dade Apostille processes apostilles for documents issued in any of the 50 states, as well as federal documents processed through the U.S. Department of State. Select a state below for state-specific requirements, or read on for how the apostille process works nationwide.
DEFINITION
What Is a US Apostille?
An apostille is an official certification that verifies a document's signature, seal, or the capacity in which a person acted, allowing it to be legally recognized in another country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. It authenticates the document's origin — not its content — and does not guarantee acceptance by any particular receiving authority.
The competent authority for state-issued documents is typically that state's Secretary of State. There is no single national apostille office for state-issued documents; each state administers its own process.
NATIONWIDE PROCESSING
Apostille Processing From Any State
You don't need to live in Florida or visit our office in person. Documents can be mailed in from any of the 50 states, reviewed for eligibility, submitted to the correct state's Secretary of State, and returned by mail or international shipping once the apostille is complete. When mailing documents to us, use a trackable shipping method and keep your tracking number.
STATE VS. FEDERAL
State Apostilles vs. Federal Apostilles
A document is apostilled by the state where it was issued or notarized — not by Florida, regardless of where the request is submitted from. For example, a birth certificate issued in New York is apostilled by the New York Department of State; a Texas power of attorney notarized in Texas is apostilled by the Texas Secretary of State. The jurisdiction of the issuing or certifying authority determines where the apostille is obtained.
Federal documents — including FBI background checks, USCIS records, and certain IRS or USPTO documents — are generally apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., depending on the document type and eligibility, regardless of which state the request comes from.
PROCESS
How the Apostille Process Works
- 1
Document Review Confirming eligibility and whether notarization is needed first.
- 2
Preparation Notarizing or obtaining a certified copy if required, including via Remote Online Notarization for eligible documents and signers where permitted.
- 3
Submission Sending the document to the correct state's Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State.
- 4
Delivery Returning the completed document by mail or international shipping.
Miami Dade Apostille is not a government agency and does not issue apostilles directly. We are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. Requirements and processing times vary by state and document type.
DOCUMENT TYPES
Documents We Process Nationwide
- Birth, marriage & death certificates
- Divorce decrees & court records
- FBI background checks
- Diplomas & transcripts
- Powers of attorney
- Corporate documents
STATE DIRECTORY
Find Apostille Requirements by State
Select a state below for state-specific requirements.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
US Apostille FAQ
Can you process an apostille for a document from any state?
Yes. We process apostilles for documents issued in any of the 50 states, submitting each document to that state's Secretary of State or equivalent competent authority.
Do I need to visit an office in Florida to get my document apostilled?
No. Documents can be mailed in from anywhere in the U.S. or internationally, with completed apostilles returned by mail or courier. When mailing documents to us, use a trackable shipping method and keep your tracking number.
Where are FBI background checks apostilled?
FBI background checks are generally apostilled through the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., regardless of which state you are located in.
Is Remote Online Notarization available for out-of-state clients?
Remote Online Notarization is available for eligible documents and signers where permitted. Acceptance of RON-notarized documents for apostille purposes depends on the receiving authority and document type. Contact us to confirm whether your document qualifies.
Does an apostille expire?
An apostille itself does not expire, but some receiving authorities may require a recently issued certified copy of the underlying document. Confirm recency requirements with the requesting authority.
For apostille processing from any state, contact Miami Dade Apostille or start your order online.
A Note on Legal Advice: Miami Dade Apostille is not a law firm, and our team does not include attorneys. This page is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice.