La première étape pour obtenir une apostille consiste à identifier l'autorité publique compétente pour votre document. Le fait de soumettre un document à la mauvaise autorité peut entraîner des retards, des frais supplémentaires ou le rejet de votre demande.

The correct authority depends on several factors, including:

• Where the document was issued
• Whether the document is state-issued or federal-issued
• The type of document
• The country where the document will be used

Understanding these requirements before submitting your documents helps ensure a smoother apostille process.

State-Issued Documents

Documents issued, certified, or notarized within a U.S. state are generally processed by the Competent Authority designated by that state. In most states, this authority is the Secretary of State.

Common examples include:

• Birth Certificates
• Marriage Certificates
• Death Certificates
• Divorce Decrees
• Court-Certified Documents
• Notarized Affidavits
• Powers of Attorney
• School Records
• Academic Diplomas
• Academic Transcripts
• State Background Checks
• Certificates of Good Standing
• Articles of Incorporation
• Business Documents issued by the state

For example, eligible documents issued in Florida are generally processed through the Florida Department of State. Documents issued in another state are typically submitted to that state's designated competent authority.

Documents fédéraux

Documents issued by agencies of the United States Government generally follow a different authentication process than state-issued documents.

Depending on the document and the destination country, eligible federal documents may be processed through the U.S. Department of State – Office of Authentications.

Examples may include:

• FBI Background Checks
• Federal Court Documents
• Certificates of Naturalization (when eligible)
• Documents issued by federal agencies
• IRS Certifications of U.S. Tax Residency
• USDA Documents
• FDA Documents
• USPTO Documents

Federal documents must satisfy the applicable federal authentication requirements before they can be used internationally.

Why Choosing the Correct Authority Is Important

Every apostille request begins with identifying the appropriate government authority.

Selecting the correct authority helps:

• Reduce processing delays
• Avoid unnecessary document rejections
• Ensure compliance with applicable government requirements
• Prevent additional shipping and processing costs
• Improve the overall efficiency of the apostille process

Submitting documents to the correct authority from the beginning helps save time and simplifies the authentication process.

How Florida Apostillar Helps

Determining the appropriate authority is not always straightforward. Some documents require notarization, certified copies, certified translations, or additional preparation before they are eligible for apostille processing.
Before any documents are submitted, Florida Apostillar carefully reviews your request to determine:

• The appropriate government authority
• Whether the document qualifies for a state or federal apostille
• Whether notarization is required
• Whether a certified copy is needed
• Whether a certified translation may be required
• The recommended processing option based on your specific circumstances

Our goal is to help clients submit their documents correctly the first time, minimizing unnecessary delays while providing professional guidance throughout the apostille process.