How to obtain and apostille a Florida Certificate of Status
When a Florida company presents documents abroad, the receiving authority may ask for proof that the entity exists and is active. Florida calls that document a Certificate of Status.
What does a Certificate of Status show?
It confirms the entity’s name, existence and status in Florida Department of State records. It may reflect annual-report filing, state fees and the absence of a recorded dissolution. It does not by itself prove financial solvency, tax clearance, current ownership or a person’s authority to sign.
Certificate of Status, certified copy and Sunbiz printout
The Certificate of Status proves current status. A certified copy reproduces a filed document such as Articles of Incorporation or Organization. A public Sunbiz printout is useful for research but does not replace either official document.
Step 1: confirm the destination’s request
- Certificate of Status, Articles or both.
- Maximum document age.
- Apostille or consular legalization.
- Translation and physical-format requirements.
Step 2: check the entity on Sunbiz
Confirm the entity is active and its annual report has been processed. If it is inactive, resolve the filing status first.
Step 3: order the official certificate
Florida offers online ordering. If a physical apostille is also required, requesting the certificate and apostille together may be more reliable because Florida requires an original and does not accept photocopies.
Step 4: request the Florida apostille
The package includes the official form, destination country, original document, apostille payment and a prepaid return envelope or air bill. Florida requires separate payments when the certificate and apostille are requested together.
Apostille or consular legalization?
When the Hague Apostille Convention is in force between the United States and the destination, an apostille normally applies. Otherwise, another authentication chain may be required.
Common mistakes
- Submitting a Sunbiz printout as the certificate.
- Confusing status evidence with a certified copy of the Articles.
- Sending a photocopy for apostille.
- Ordering while the annual report is pending.
- Assuming the apostille proves solvency.
Frequently asked questions
Are Certificate of Status and Good Standing the same?
Florida’s official name is Certificate of Status; Good Standing is a common expression. Confirm the exact request.
Do I also need the Articles?
It depends. Some authorities request both and each may require its own apostille.
Can a photocopy be apostilled?
No. Florida requires the original or allows the certificate and apostille to be requested together.
Does the apostille prove the company has no debts?
No. It authenticates the document’s origin and is not a tax or financial audit.
Official sources
Need to prepare these documents?
Send us the destination country and a legible copy. We can help identify the applicable document, apostille or translation route.
Informational content. Integramerica is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Requirements and final acceptance depend on the receiving authority.