Apostille for the Philippines: Get Your Florida Documents Ready

Since May 14, 2019, the Philippines has been a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. A U.S. document going to the Philippines no longer needs to be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or a Philippine consulate. It needs an apostille from the state where it was issued or notarized. I take care of the Florida side, the notarization and the Florida apostille, so your document is ready to use in the Philippines.

How It Works

1. Tell me what it's for: the document and who will receive it in the Philippines, such as a bank, the Register of Deeds or a government office.

2. Notarize (if needed): online by video or in person in Jacksonville. Certified copies of public records, like birth certificates, don't need a notary.

3. Florida apostille: I submit your document to the Florida Department of State and track it. More about apostilles.

4. Delivered: returned to you, or mailed straight to the Philippines, with tracking either way.

Do I Need a Translation?

Usually not. English is an official language of the Philippines, so documents in English are generally accepted as they are. If your document is in another language, ask the receiving office what it needs. More about translations.

Documents People Commonly Send to the Philippines

Special powers of attorney (SPA) to sell or manage property, handle banking or act for you in a transaction · affidavits · Florida birth, marriage and death certificates · school records · business documents

Good to Know

• Online or in person: some offices in the Philippines, including banks and the Register of Deeds, may want a document signed in ink in front of a notary. Ask the receiving office whether it accepts an electronically notarized document before we start.
• Special powers of attorney: if your lawyer or the receiving office gives you a form, use that exact text. Many offices also ask for copies of the IDs of the person signing, so ask what to attach.
• Philippine consulate option: you can also sign certain documents, like an SPA, in person at a Philippine consulate in the U.S. Contact the consulate for its requirements.
• Birth and death certificates: to get a Florida apostille, the certified copy must be signed by the State Registrar (copies from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics or a county health department qualify when the State Registrar signed them). Marriage and divorce certificates must be signed by the State Registrar or the Clerk of the County Court.
• Other states and federal documents: a Florida apostille only covers documents issued or notarized in Florida. Documents from other states need that state's apostille, and federal documents (like FBI background checks) go through the U.S. Department of State.
• I'm a notary, not a lawyer, and I can't give legal advice about your document.

Sending documents to another country? See Documents for Use Abroad.

Get Started

Schedule an Online Notarization →
Call or text (904) 342-3098

Official Resources

• Florida Department of State: Apostilles and Notarial Certifications
• Hague Apostille Convention: list of member countries (HCCH)
• Florida Department of Health: Certificates and Records (birth, death, marriage)