If you’ve ever needed to use a document overseas for a visa, marriage, education, or business, you’ve probably heard about getting an apostille. But once you’ve gone through the effort of getting one, a common question comes up: “Does my apostille expire?”
The simple answer is no, an apostille doesn’t technically expire. However, as professionals who handle hundreds of apostille requests here at Notary Plus More, we know there’s more to the story, and it can affect whether your document is accepted abroad.
What Is an Apostille, and Why Do You Need One?
An apostille is a certificate issued by the Secretary of State that confirms the authenticity of a public document like a birth certificate, marriage license, diploma, or notarized affidavit for international use in any country that’s part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
In short, it tells the foreign authority: “This document is genuine and legally valid.”
In Florida, apostilles are issued by the Florida Department of State. Depending on your document type, it may need proper notarization by a commissioned Florida notary public before submission. However, some documents, like vital records signed by the State Registrar or court documents certified by a Clerk, are already eligible without additional notarization.
Do Apostilles Expire?
The apostille certificate itself does not expire. Once issued, it remains valid indefinitely. That’s because an apostille only verifies the authenticity of the signature and seal on the document, not the content of the document itself.
The catch? The document attached to it may lose validity over time, depending on its nature and the country where you plan to use it. Whether it’s an apostille for birth certificate or a university diploma, some documents stay valid for years, while others like background checks or medical records, may need to be reissued every few months.
Here’s where it gets tricky. A Certificate of No Impediment (also called Certificate of Freedom to Marry) must typically be less than six months old for countries like Portugal, Italy, and Greece. Some countries have their own rules too. Belgium requires apostilles to be used within six months, and Germany requires U.S. birth certificates to have been issued within the last six months.
That’s why at Notary Plus More, we always recommend checking with the embassy, school, or government office where you’ll submit your document before relying on an old apostille.
When You Might Need a New Apostille
Even though the apostille itself doesn’t expire, you may still need a new one in a few situations.
If you’ve received a new version of your document, say a new background check or updated corporate certificate, the previous apostille won’t apply to the new version. The destination country might require “fresh” documents, regardless of apostille validity.
Here’s something critical: never remove the apostille from the document. Doing so makes both invalid, and you’ll need to start the process over. This isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a hard rule.
You might also need a new apostille if your document was issued outside Florida. Different states have different issuing offices, so a Florida document needs a Florida apostille. Federal documents sometimes need processing through the U.S. Department of State instead.
Important Florida-Specific Requirements
Not all documents qualify for a Florida apostille. Birth, death, and marriage certificates must be state-level documents signed by the State Registrar. In Florida, the current State Registrar is Ken Jones (since November 2014). Previous acceptable registrars include C. Meade Grigg, Oliver Board, Charles Mahan, and Edward Williams.
Documents from local health departments or signed by Deputy Registrars cannot be apostilled. This trips up a lot of people, so it’s worth double-checking before you submit anything.
Court documents must be certified by the Clerk of Circuit Court with an official stamp and signature. Educational documents like diplomas can be notarized as certified copies by a Florida notary, or the school registrar can notarize the original at the time of issuance.
For notarized documents, you need a full notarial statement with the notary’s original signature, stamp, and seal. Photocopies, even notarized ones, won’t work.
How Notary Plus More Can Help
We find ways to make the whole experience the easiest and most relaxing. Whether it’s getting a new apostille, wondering if your apostille will work, or if it’s your first time, our experienced Florida notary staff will help you from the beginning to the end.
We help you check if your country of destination is a Hague Convention country or if it needs an embassy legalization or an apostille. We want to make sure your documents will be first time, without delay.
Quick Tips from Our Experts
- Check the issuing date on your document before it is sent out of the country.
- If you have an old apostille and you are unsure if you will be able to use it, reach out to us first, and we will review it and provide advice based on your destination country’s rules.
- Make sure to keep both physical and digital versions of your apostilled documents in a safe location.
- For Florida vital records, check that the document is signed by the State Registrar and not a local health department official.
- Never separate the apostille from the document to which it is attached; doing so invalidates both
The Bottom Line
An apostille never technically expires, but depending on the document type and the requirements of the destination, it becomes useless. Before sending any documents overseas, it is best to confirm that the documents are valid and that a professional has checked and verified your documents, so they are ready to use.
If you are in Florida and need a trusted partner for notarization or apostille services, Notary Plus More is ready to assist you. We quickly and efficiently handle every step so you can focus on what matters: your next big opportunity overseas.
