Getting Married Abroad? Florida Documents You Need Apostilled

Planning a wedding in another country is one of the most exciting decisions a couple can make. Whether you are exchanging vows on a beach in Italy, at a vineyard in France, in a historic church in Mexico, or at a resort in the Dominican Republic — an international wedding creates memories that last a lifetime.

But before you say "I do" abroad, there is an important administrative step most couples don't discover until it's too late: getting your Florida documents apostilled.

This guide explains exactly which documents you need, why they need to be apostilled, how the process works, and how to make sure everything is in order well before your wedding date.

Why Do You Need an Apostille for an International Marriage?

Foreign governments require proof that the people getting married are legally eligible to do so. That means verifying your identity, your marital status, and in some cases your citizenship — all through documents issued in the United States.

Because a foreign government cannot directly verify the authenticity of a document issued in Florida, it requires that document to carry an official certification recognized under international law. That certification is the apostille.

Without the correct apostilled documents, foreign civil registries and officiants may refuse to legally recognize your marriage — meaning your wedding ceremony could be beautiful but legally meaningless in that country, and potentially in the United States as well.

Which Florida Documents Need an Apostille for an International Marriage?

The specific documents required vary by country — always confirm requirements directly with the foreign civil registry, your wedding planner, or the relevant embassy. That said, these are the most commonly requested documents for international marriages:

1. Birth Certificate Most countries require a certified copy of your Florida birth certificate with an apostille to verify your identity and citizenship. This must be an original certified copy issued by the Florida Department of Health — not a photocopy or a hospital-issued birth record.

2. Certificate of Single Status (Certificate of No Impediment) Many countries — particularly in Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia — require proof that you are legally free to marry. This document, sometimes called a Certificate of No Impediment or Affidavit of Single Status, confirms that you are not currently married to anyone else.

In Florida, this is typically a notarized affidavit signed before a Florida notary public. Once notarized it must be apostilled before the foreign country will accept it.

3. Divorce Certificate or Decree (if previously married) If either partner has been previously married, most countries require proof that the prior marriage was legally dissolved. A certified copy of your Florida divorce decree or dissolution of marriage document will need to be apostilled.

4. Death Certificate of Former Spouse (if widowed) If either partner was previously married and their spouse passed away, a certified copy of the death certificate may be required along with an apostille.

5. Passport Copy (notarized) Some countries require a notarized copy of your U.S. passport apostilled by the Florida Secretary of State. This must be a copy notarized by a Florida-commissioned notary public.

6. Additional Documents by Country Some countries have additional requirements. Italy, for example, requires a Nulla Osta — a document from the U.S. Embassy confirming no legal impediment to marriage — in addition to apostilled vital records. Mexico, Spain, and Portugal have their own specific requirements. Always research your destination country's specific marriage requirements well in advance.

What Is a Certificate of Single Status and How Do I Get One?

A Certificate of Single Status — also called an Affidavit of Single Status or Certificate of No Impediment — is one of the most frequently needed and least understood documents in the international marriage process.

Florida does not issue an official state-level Certificate of Single Status the way some countries do. Instead, this document is typically created as a sworn affidavit — a legal statement you sign under oath before a Florida notary public declaring that you are currently unmarried and legally free to marry.

The affidavit must:

• Be signed in front of a Florida-commissioned notary public

• Include specific language acceptable to the destination country

• Be notarized correctly — missing elements or incorrect format will result in rejection

Once notarized, the document is submitted to the Florida Secretary of State for apostille.

This is one of the documents most commonly rejected due to incorrect notarization. At South Florida Apostille Services we notarize affidavits of single status and guarantee acceptance by the Florida Secretary of State.

How Far in Advance Should You Start the Apostille Process?

This is the question most couples ask too late. The answer depends on your processing speed selection and your wedding date — but the general rule is to start at least 4–6 weeks before you need the documents in hand.

Here is why:

• Obtaining certified copies of Florida vital records from the Department of Health takes 1–2 weeks

• Apostille processing takes 2–8 business days depending on the service level you select

• Shipping to your destination country takes additional time

• Some destination countries have their own processing requirements after receiving your apostilled documents

If your wedding is in Italy, for example, you may need to submit your apostilled documents to the local Italian municipality weeks before the ceremony for their civil registration process.

Starting late is the number one reason couples face last-minute panic — or worse, a legally invalid ceremony.

Our recommendation: Start the apostille process at least 8 weeks before your international wedding date. This gives you time to gather documents, address any unexpected issues, and ship everything to your destination with time to spare.

Does Your Destination Country Accept Florida Apostilles?

Florida apostilles are accepted in all countries that are members of the Hague Convention of 1961. The vast majority of popular destination wedding locations are Hague members, including:

Italy · France · Spain · Portugal · Greece · Mexico · Dominican Republic · Costa Rica · Panama · Colombia · Peru · Brazil · Argentina · Germany · Netherlands · Belgium · Switzerland · Austria · Czech Republic · Poland · Croatia · and over 100 more countries

If your destination country is not a Hague Convention member, your documents require authentication rather than an apostille — a more complex process involving additional steps. Contact us before ordering if you are unsure whether your destination country accepts apostilles.

Can You Apostille Documents for Both Partners?

Yes. If both partners have Florida documents that need apostilling — which is typically the case — we handle all documents in a single order. Each document is apostilled separately and returned together. Pricing is per document so you only pay for what you need.

Common Mistakes That Delay International Marriages

Starting too late The most common mistake by far. Couples underestimate how long the process takes end to end. Start at least 8 weeks before your wedding date.

Using an unofficial copy of your birth certificate Only certified copies issued by the Florida Department of Health qualify. A photocopy, a hospital birth record, or an uncertified copy will be rejected.

Incorrect affidavit of single status An affidavit that uses the wrong format, missing required elements, or is not notarized correctly by a Florida-commissioned notary will be rejected by the Secretary of State and have to be redone — adding weeks to your timeline.

Not researching destination country requirements Every country has different requirements. Never assume — always confirm directly with the foreign civil registry, your local wedding planner in the destination country, or the relevant embassy well in advance.

Assuming apostille equals legal marriage An apostille authenticates your documents. It does not automatically mean your marriage will be legally recognized abroad. You still need to comply with the destination country's marriage laws and civil registration process. Consult your wedding planner or a local attorney in your destination country to confirm all requirements.

How South Florida Apostille Services Helps Couples Getting Married Abroad

We have helped many Florida couples get their documents apostilled for international weddings. Our process is designed to make this as straightforward as possible:

• We review every document before submission to confirm it meets all Florida Secretary of State requirements

• We offer professional notarization of affidavits of single status — flat fee of $100 regardless of the number of notarizations

• We offer 2-day express processing for couples with tight timelines

• We serve clients throughout Florida via online document upload, mail-in service, and onsite service

If you have questions about what your specific destination country requires, contact us and we will help you understand the process before you order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to apostille Florida documents for an international wedding? With our 2-day express service, eligible documents submitted before 12pm EST are returned within 2 business days. We recommend starting at least 8 weeks before your wedding date to allow time for gathering documents, processing, and shipping to your destination.

Do both partners need their documents apostilled? In most cases yes — both partners typically need to provide apostilled vital records and a Certificate of Single Status. Requirements vary by country so always confirm with your destination country's civil registry.

What if I was previously married? You will likely need to provide apostilled proof of divorce or dissolution of marriage in addition to your other required documents. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.

Can you help if I am not sure what documents my destination country requires? We can help clarify the apostille process for your specific documents. For destination-specific legal requirements we recommend confirming directly with the foreign civil registry or a local attorney in your destination country.

How much does it cost to apostille documents for an international wedding? Pricing varies based on the number of documents and processing speed. Call us at 800-208-2128 or complete our online order form for a specific quote.

Ready to Get Your Documents Apostilled for Your International Wedding?

Don't let paperwork delay your dream wedding. South Florida Apostille Services handles the entire apostille process for you — from document review through final delivery — so you can focus on planning the celebration. We serve clients throughout Florida including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and all areas statewide — via online document upload, mail-in service, and onsite service.

📞 Call us: 800-208-2128 📧 Email us: info@southfloridaapostilleservices.com 🌐 Order online: Pricing and Online Order Form 🕐 Hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm EST