Apostille of a Florida divorce decree
We coordinate the apostille of Florida divorce documents for use abroad, whether you need the full Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage from the clerk of court or the summary Dissolution of Marriage Certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Free initial review.
Free document review · Florida-based team · Statewide, all 67 counties
Final Judgment vs. Dissolution of Marriage Certificate
Florida divorce cases produce two distinct documents. The Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage is the actual court order, obtained as a certified copy from the clerk of court in the county where the case was filed. The Dissolution of Marriage Certificate is a shorter abstract of that judgment, available from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics for divorces recorded from June 6, 1927 to the present, signed by the State Registrar or the Clerk of the County Courts. Which one you need depends on what the receiving authority abroad is asking for.
After the divorce is finalized, the clerk of court forwards a report to the Bureau of Vital Statistics for permanent filing. This process generally takes about 60 days. If a foreign registry or authority specifically asks for the full judgment, only the clerk of court can provide a certified copy of it, the Bureau of Vital Statistics does not hold the full case file, only the summary certificate.
What to confirm before requesting a copy
Confirm which document is required
Some receiving authorities accept the summary certificate; others, especially for remarriage abroad, want the full Final Judgment. Confirm this before requesting either document.
Certified copy, not a photocopy
Florida's apostille authority requires an original certified copy. A photocopy is not eligible for apostille.
Request from the correct county
A certified copy of the Final Judgment must come from the clerk of court in the county where the divorce case was filed, not just any Florida county.
Recent divorces
If the divorce was finalized less than about 60 days ago, the state-level summary certificate may not be ready yet. The clerk of court can typically provide a certified copy of the judgment sooner.
Three steps for your divorce documents
Send us the details
The county and approximate date of the divorce, the full names as they appear on the case, the destination country, and what the receiving authority specifically requested.
We identify the correct document and source
We confirm whether you need the Final Judgment from the clerk of court, the summary certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics, or both.
We coordinate the apostille
Once we have the certified copy, we coordinate the apostille before the Florida Department of State and, if your destination country requires it instead, consular legalization.
Questions about the Florida divorce decree apostille
Send us your case and we'll tell you exactly what's needed.
Do I need my divorce decree apostilled to remarry abroad?+
What's the difference between the divorce certificate and the Final Judgment?+
Can I apostille a photocopy of my divorce judgment?+
I no longer live in Florida. How do I get a certified copy?+
My divorce was recent. Can I get the documents right away?+
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Let's start with your document review
Send us the county and date of the divorce, and what document the receiving authority requested. The initial review is free.