Why there's no rush option
The Florida Department of State says it does not offer expedited services. Mailed requests are processed in the order they arrive, and the state publishes the date of the requests it is working on now. On October 16, 2026 it was processing apostille requests received October 2, about two weeks behind. Check the live processing dates before you mail anything.
The one faster route is the walk-in counter at 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except state holidays.
The fastest routes, compared
| Route | What happens | How fast |
|---|---|---|
| Mail (P.O. Box 6800) | Waits in line in the order received. | The live queue (about two weeks in mid-October 2026), plus mail both ways. |
| FedEx or UPS to the Tallahassee office | Arrives faster than mail, then waits in the same line. No official source says a courier skips the queue. | The live queue, plus courier both ways. |
| Walk-in counter | Someone drops it off in Tallahassee. The state's FAQ still says most requests may be completed while you wait; in our recent experience, they are ready for pickup the next business day. | Next business day, plus the trip there and back. |
| LuroDocs rush service | We take a ready Florida document to the walk-in counter and send it back to you. | 2 to 3 business days, door to door. |
Get the document ready first
The apostille itself is quick at the counter. What usually costs time is a document that isn't ready: the wrong copy, a missing notarization, or a certificate that has to be ordered first.
- Birth or death certificate: it must be a certified copy signed by the State Registrar, from the Bureau of Vital Statistics or a county health department. By mail, Vital Statistics says to allow 5 to 7 business days for its apostille form (DH726A), with a $10 rush fee for priority processing. You can also order the certificate and the apostille together through VitalChek, the state's contracted vendor.
- Court records, like a divorce decree: an original certified copy from the county Clerk of Court. How fast you get it depends on the clerk and on the file.
- Documents you sign, like a power of attorney or an affidavit: these need a Florida notary first. A mobile notary can often come to you the same day. Make sure the notarial certificate is complete and in English, and that the notary's commission is active.
Federal documents take longer
FBI background checks and other federal documents can't go through Florida at all. The U.S. Department of State processes walk-in requests in 7 business days (drop-off Monday to Thursday, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.) and mail requests within 5 weeks. Our federal service typically takes 7 to 10 days. See the federal apostille guide.
Countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention also add steps after Florida, ending at their embassy or consulate. See apostille or consulate.
Checklist so it isn't sent back
A rejected request means starting over, which costs more time than anything else. Before it goes to Tallahassee:
- It's an original or certified copy. The state doesn't accept photocopies.
- A notarized document has a full notarial statement, in English.
- The request form names the country where you'll use the document.
- Payment is a check or money order to “Florida Department of State.” No cash or credit cards.
- By mail or courier, a prepaid return envelope or air bill is included.
How LuroDocs gets it done fast
- We check the document before anything ships, so it isn't sent back.
- We take it to the walk-in counter in Tallahassee and pick up the apostille when it's ready.
- We send it back to you or straight on to its destination. For a Florida document that's ready to submit, that's 2 to 3 business days.
Have a deadline? Tell us the date and we'll tell you straight whether we can meet it.
Common questions
Can I get an apostille in Florida without going to Tallahassee?
Yes. You can mail your request to the Florida Department of State, send it by courier to its Tallahassee office, or have a service like LuroDocs take it to the walk-in counter for you. Mail is the slowest, because mailed requests wait in line in the order they arrive.
Can I get a Florida apostille in 48 hours?
The state doesn't offer a 48-hour service. In our experience, a request dropped off at the Tallahassee walk-in counter is ready for pickup the next business day, so 48 hours is only realistic if a ready document is already in Tallahassee. Counting the trip there and back, our fastest rush service is 2 to 3 business days.
Does Florida offer expedited apostille service?
No. The Florida Department of State says it does not offer expedited services. The only faster route is its walk-in counter in Tallahassee, open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except state holidays.
Is it faster to send my apostille request by FedEx or UPS?
It gets there faster than regular mail, but the state says requests are processed in the order they are received, so a courier package still waits in the same line once it arrives.
Not sure what your document needs? Ask us before you sign.
- Florida Department of State, Apostille FAQ (no expedited service, walk-in hours, order received)
- Florida Department of State, Document processing dates (live queue)
- Florida Department of State, Apostille and Notarial Certificate Request Form (mail and courier addresses)
- Florida Department of State, Accepted documents
- Florida Department of Health, Form DH726A (birth certificate for apostille, processing time and rush fee)
- Florida Department of Health, Apostille and notarial certificates (VitalChek option)
- U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications (federal walk-in and mail times)
This is general process information, not legal advice. LuroDocs is not a law firm; you're responsible for confirming what your situation requires — check with the receiving authority or a licensed attorney.