DH 261A (Apostille), 01/2015, Florida Administrative Code Rule 64V-1.0131 (Obsoletes Previous Editions)
INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE RECORD FOR LICENSES ISSUED IN FLORIDA
(FOR APOSTILLE or EXEMPLIFIED CERTIFICATION)
An apostille is a certification provided under the Hague convention of 1961 for authenticating documents for use in foreign countries.
An exemplified certification covers those countries which did not sign the Hague Treaty. The sole function of the apostille or
exemplified certificate is to certify the authenticity of the signature on the document. In Florida, the apostille or exemplified certificate
contains the original signature of the State Registrar and the Secretary of State.
Once the certification is obtained, it should be forwarded to the Florida Department of State (DOS) for the Apostille/Exemplified
Certification of the signature of Florida’s State Registrar. The address for mailing to the DOS is: Department of State, Division of
Corporations, Apostille Certification, P.O. Box 6800, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6800; telephone (850) 245-6945. For walk-in service or
courier delivery, the address is Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Certification, Clifton Building, 2661 Executive
Center Circle, Tallahassee, FL 32301. See the website at www.dos.state.fl.us/ for information regarding their requirements, processing
time, fees, etc. To access the correct area on the website, select Corporations, then Apostilles. Be sure to provide the name of the
country where the certification is needed.
SINGLE STATUS STATEMENT: If marrying in another country, proof of “single status” may be required by that country. This
request will generate a search of state of residence records (if Florida) to verify that a marriage record is not on file. An official “Not
Found” statement indicating this fact will be provided in lieu of a marriage record.
REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGE RECORDS: After a marriage has been recorded with the Clerk of Court, the Clerk sends the
original document to this office. If the marriage recently occurred, it generally takes up to 60 days for documents to be received,
registered and available for certification from our office.
MARRIAGE RECORDS: We ONLY have records for the period June 6, 1927 to the present. Any marriages prior to June 6, 1927
are obtainable from the Clerk of the Court in the County where the marriage license was issued.
MARRIAGE STATISTICAL PORTION/ELIGIBILITY: Except for the Social Security numbers (SSN) contained on a Marriage
Record, the record is a public record and may be released to anyone who has properly applied and paid the required fee(s). There is also
some statistical information that is available for certain years on marriage records and will be included on the certification, if available.
This information includes the number of previous marriages and date last marriage ended.
For Marriage prior to 1972, any statistical information would have been included on the Application to Marry and is only
available from the Clerk of Court in the county where the marriage license was issued. Visit their website at www.flclerks.com
For Marriage 1972 to present, the statistical portion is contained with the marriage record and, except for SSN, will
automatically be included on the certification.
SEARCH INFORMATION FOR MARRIAGE REQUESTS: Marriages are indexed by bride, groom or spouse. Provide as much
information as known.
PROCESSING TIME: Processing time can range from 4-6 business days, not including mailing time. A $10
Rush Fee will expedite
the request within our office. Certification(s) are mailed 1
st
Class Mail unless a prepaid self-addressed express envelope is included
with the request.
FEES ARE NONREFUNDABLE: If no record is found, a “Not Found” statement will be issued.
Fees are nonrefundable, except fees
paid for additional copies when no record is found. These are refunded on written request.
If you need assistance, you may call our Apostille Unit at (904) 359-6900, ext. 9006.
MAIL THIS APPLICATION WITH PAYMENT TO:
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
OFFICE OF VITAL STATISTICS
ATTN: APOSTILLE UNIT
P.O. BOX 210,
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
(Street Address: 1217 North Pearl Street, Jacksonville, Florida, 32202)
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
www.FloridaVitalStatisticsOnline.com