Our processing times depend on the service tier you select. Most orders are completed in just a few days, and every option includes government fees and FedEx return shipping. Even our most affordable "Peace of Mind" tier is faster and far more reliable than mailing it yourself.

It’s a fair question. The 30-day estimate on the state website applies to mailed-in requests, which sit in the processing queue with thousands of others. Our process is different. We hand-deliver your documents directly to the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee, wait in line, and pick them up the same or next business day. That’s why our turnaround times are measured in days instead of weeks — and why we’re able to maintain near-zero rejection rates.

Our Same-Day Apostille Service is available for time-critical situations and depends on several factors, including document type, time of submission, and state office availability. When conditions align, we’re often able to complete the entire process and ship your finalized documents the very same day.

Because some factors — such as Department of State operating hours, weather, and courier schedules — are outside of our control, same-day completion is not guaranteed in every case. If we’re unable to complete the service within that window, your order automatically transitions to Rush Service (2–3 business days) and we refund the price difference immediately.

We guarantee everything within our control — accuracy, proper document preparation, and prompt delivery to the Florida Department of State. However, once your documents are submitted, a few factors are outside anyone’s control.

Occasionally, the Department of State may close unexpectedly due to weather, power outages, or other statewide issues. Delays can also occur if FedEx or DHL misroutes or loses a shipment.

Because of these rare but real variables, we can’t offer a money-back guarantee based solely on turnaround time. What we do guarantee is responsive, human support — if something goes wrong, you’ll always be able to reach a real Florida specialist who will help resolve it quickly.

The State of Florida charges $10 per apostille, or $20 for county-certified documents like marriage certificates.

If you’re considering doing it yourself to save money, that’s understandable — but be aware that unless you’re familiar with Florida’s strict notarial and certification rules, rejections are extremely common. The state’s mail-in process can take 30 days or more, and if your documents are rejected, you’ll wait another month just to try again.

That’s why we created our Peace of Mind service — for customers who aren’t in a rush but want everything done correctly the first time. It’s an affordable option that includes professional inspection, preparation, and handling from start to finish, so your documents are accepted without costly delays.

If you submit your apostille request directly to the State and it’s rejected, your documents are mailed back without processing — usually after a 30-day wait. The most common causes are missing seals, incorrect notarial wording, expired commissions, or improper county certifications. Unfortunately, the State doesn’t correct these issues for you, and you’ll need to start the process over from the beginning.

When you use Florida Document Specialists, that never happens. Every document is reviewed by trained Florida-based specialists before submission to ensure it meets every requirement. And if you’re not in a rush, our Peace of Mind service gives you the same expert handling at a lower price — so your apostille gets accepted the first time, guaranteed.

Almost any Florida-issued or notarized document can qualify — including birth, marriage, and death certificates; school transcripts and diplomas; powers of attorney; corporate filings; and notarized personal documents. If you’re unsure, our specialists can review it for free before you order.

Most rejections come from simple technical errors — missing notary seals, incorrect wording, or ID mismatches. In fact, we correct these issues in about 80% of documents we review. Using our inspection and handling service nearly eliminates that risk.

A Florida apostille authenticates documents issued or notarized within Florida. A federal apostille (through the U.S. Department of State) is for federal documents, such as FBI background checks. We handle both types and can guide you to the correct option for your situation.

No — the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee is the only authority that issues authentic Florida apostilles.

There are no branch offices in Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, or anywhere else, and foreign consulates in Florida cannot issue apostilles under the Hague Convention.

Many people are misled by third-party websites or walk-in "document centers" that claim to provide "Florida apostilles near you." In reality, those companies still send your paperwork to Tallahassee — often with extra markup and no quality control.

At Florida Document Specialists, we hand-deliver your documents directly to the Department of State, so you get genuine, verified apostilles — quickly, safely, and without middlemen.

Yes. If your document requires notarization, our award-winning online notary team can complete it for you in minutes. You’ll receive a properly executed digital document that meets all Florida Department of State standards for apostille processing.

Not exactly. Notarization confirms that a signature or statement is genuine, while an apostille verifies that the notary or issuing authority is officially recognized. Many documents need both — and our team can handle both steps under one roof.

If your document or its destination country requires translation, we can coordinate certified or sworn translation services in 95 languages. That way, your apostilled document meets every international standard for acceptance.

Yes — we work with clients in more than 100 countries. You can upload your documents securely online, and our Florida-based specialists will process the apostille and ship it back to you by FedEx or DHL, anywhere in the world.

Absolutely. We offer discounted FedEx and DHL global delivery, with tracking and signature confirmation. Whether your documents are headed to Spain, Brazil, or South Korea, we’ll make sure they arrive securely and on time.

Absolutely. That’s one of the biggest differences between Florida Document Specialists and large nationwide processors. You’ll never be routed through a call center, sent to voicemail loops, or told to "open a support ticket."

When you call us, you’ll speak directly with a trained Florida specialist who knows your order and can resolve your issue on the spot. Whether it’s a shipping delay, a question about notarization, or tracking an apostille already in progress, we’re here — by phone, email, or live chat — until everything is handled.

That’s the concierge-level service our customers count on, and why so many law firms, businesses, and families choose to work with us again and again.

A Florida electronic will is a legally valid will that is created, signed, witnessed, notarized, and stored in digital form. There is no paper original. The electronic file itself is the official will.

Yes. Florida law allows electronic wills when they are executed in compliance with Chapter 732 and the remote online notarization requirements in Chapter 117. When done correctly, they carry the same legal effect as a traditional will.

To create a Florida electronic will, you must sign your will during a live online notarization session with a Florida notary and two witnesses. The process includes identity verification, a recorded signing ceremony, and proper execution under Florida law. It is not enough to sign a PDF or upload a document. The execution must follow the statutory procedure for electronic wills and remote online notarization.

You can complete the execution of a will online using a Florida online notary, but legal advice and document preparation are separate issues. The execution must still follow Florida law, including proper witnessing, notarization, and custody.

The will is signed electronically during a live audio-video session with a Florida online notary and two witnesses. All parties must be present in real time, and the notary supervises the signing process from start to finish.

Yes. You can sign from anywhere, including outside the United States, as long as the notary is physically located in Florida and the session complies with Florida’s remote notarization requirements.

Yes. Florida requires two witnesses for both electronic and traditional wills. Remote witnesses are allowed if the statutory requirements are followed.

Yes, but they must be physically located within the United States or a U.S. territory, and the session must comply with Florida’s remote witnessing rules.

Remote online notarization uses secure audio-video technology to verify identity, conduct the signing ceremony, and record the session. The notary oversees the process and ensures compliance with Florida law.

Identity is verified using government-issued identification combined with credential analysis and biometric identity proofing to confirm the signer’s identity during the session.

The signing is a formal legal ceremony conducted by the notary. The notary verifies identity, confirms all participants are present, and guides the testator and witnesses through the required acknowledgments. The testator must declare that the document is their will and that they are signing voluntarily. The witnesses observe this acknowledgment and sign in the correct sequence while connected live.

Florida law requires specific questions to be asked when remote witnesses are used. These include questions about whether the signer has any impairments, who is present in the room, whether anyone assisted with the session, and whether anyone helped prepare the document. These questions must be asked on the record and are part of the legal validity of the process.

Possibly, but Florida law places specific safeguards around what it calls a “vulnerable adult” when remote witnessing is involved.

A vulnerable adult generally refers to someone whose ability to perform normal daily activities or care for themselves may be impaired due to age, illness, disability, or cognitive limitations. This does not automatically prevent someone from signing a valid will. Capacity is still the key legal standard. However, it does affect how the will can be executed.

When a Florida electronic will is being signed using remote witnesses, the law requires the signer to answer screening questions about impairments, need for assistance, and living conditions. These questions are designed to identify situations where the signer may be at higher risk of undue influence or coercion.

If the signer indicates certain conditions—such as needing assistance with daily care or having impairments that affect independence—Florida law does not allow the use of remote witnesses for that execution. In those cases, the will can still be signed, but the witnesses must be physically present with the signer at the time of execution.

This is an important distinction. The law is not saying the person cannot sign a will. It is saying that a fully remote execution is not appropriate in those circumstances, and additional in-person safeguards are required.

The notary is required to ask these questions on the record and evaluate the responses as part of the ceremony. If the answers trigger the statutory restriction, the process must shift to a format that includes physically present witnesses to ensure the will is valid and defensible.

Yes. Florida law requires the entire audio-video session to be recorded and retained.

The recording provides evidence of identity, intent, and proper execution. It can be critical if the will is ever challenged in probate.

A self-proving will includes sworn statements from the testator and witnesses, allowing the will to be admitted to probate without requiring testimony later.

This is done during the notarization ceremony when the notary administers the required affidavits and ensures the correct statutory language and procedure are followed.

A qualified custodian is the entity responsible for storing and maintaining the electronic will after it is signed.

Yes. Under Florida law, an electronic will must designate a qualified custodian in the will itself in order to be self-proving.

This is not optional language or a best practice. It is a statutory requirement. If the will does not designate a qualified custodian, it is not self-proving.

A self-proving will is what allows the document to be admitted to probate without having to locate witnesses or present additional testimony. Without that status, the court can require proof of execution, which introduces delay, cost, and potential complications.

The qualified custodian is the party responsible for maintaining the original electronic will and the associated records, including the notarization and execution data. Florida law requires that the custodian maintain the will in a secure system and preserve its integrity over time.

Because an electronic will has no paper original, the legal system relies on this controlled custody to establish authenticity. That is why the designation must be included in the will itself. It ties the document to a specific custodian who can later certify and produce the will when needed.

If the will does not include a qualified custodian designation, it does not meet the statutory requirements for a self-proving electronic will.

They securely store the original electronic will, maintain associated records, and ensure the document remains intact and unaltered.

No. Personal storage breaks the chain of custody and undermines the legal reliability of the document.

It may lose its self-proving status and could require additional legal steps to validate in probate.

When done correctly, an electronic will provides strong protections through identity verification, recorded execution, and controlled custody.

Because signing creates the will, but custody preserves it. Without proper custody, the electronic will may not hold up when it is needed.

You begin by preparing your will document, then scheduling a compliant online notarization session with witnesses and a Florida online notary.

Yes. Your electronic will and any related estate planning documents are stored using a secure, encrypted system designed specifically for highly sensitive records.

FDS uses Tresorit secure vault storage, a zero-knowledge, end-to-end encrypted platform. Zero-knowledge encryption means that the platform itself cannot access or read your files. Your documents are encrypted before they are uploaded and remain encrypted at all times unless accessed by an authorized party.

This structure creates a clear separation of access. The storage provider cannot view your electronic will or estate documents, and your files are not exposed to third parties, scanning systems, or data mining. At the same time, FDS maintains controlled access as the designated qualified custodian so we can meet our legal obligations, including preserving the original electronic will and producing certified copies when required for probate.

All access is restricted, monitored, and limited to authorized use only. Your records are not publicly accessible and are not stored in open or unsecured environments.

In practical terms, your electronic will and estate documents are protected by both Florida’s qualified custodian requirements and advanced encryption technology, ensuring confidentiality while still maintaining the ability to retrieve and certify the document when it matters.