Florida
FD-258 Fingerprint Card Apostille in Florida
How Florida residents get their FD-258 Fingerprint Card authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the Florida Department of State can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
The FD-258 card itself is never apostilled. In Florida, the one local step is getting fingerprinted; the FBI report your prints produce is then authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Send us the report once it’s issued and we handle the apostille.
- Authenticated by
- The FBI report it produces
- Florida apostille office
- Florida Department of State, Tallahassee
- Our nearest office
- Miami, West Palm Beach
- Price
- $299 per document ($399 non-Hague), government fees included
Getting fingerprinted in Florida
Fingerprinting is the one step that has to happen locally. The FD-258 card itself is never apostilled — it produces the FBI report, and the report is what gets authenticated.
In Florida, we capture fingerprints by appointment at our West Palm Beach and Miami offices and handle the FBI submission and apostille together.
Once the report is issued, we authenticate it in Washington, D.C. and ship it anywhere. See FBI background check apostille.
About the FD-258 Fingerprint Card
How the FD-258 fingerprint card fits into obtaining and apostilling an FBI background check.
What the Florida Department of State can do
The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee issues apostilles for documents signed by Florida officials — birth, death and marriage certificates from Florida registrars, Florida state-court records, and documents notarized by Florida notaries. It has no authority over federal documents such as FBI reports, USCIS certificates or IRS letters.
State offices set their own procedures and fees, so confirm current requirements with the office before submitting a state document.
Getting it done from Florida
We have two offices in Florida open to the public by appointment: Miami and West Palm Beach — for in-person FBI background checks and document drop-off. Most clients still send documents by mail — it’s the fastest route to Washington.
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | U.S. Department of State apostille | 10–12 business days |
| Non-Hague country | Authentication + embassy legalization | 15–17 business days |
Serving Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach and everywhere else in Florida.
Official sources: FBI — Identity History Summary Checks · FBI — Approved Channelers · Florida Department of State — Apostilles & Authentications · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries).
FD-258 Fingerprint Card in Florida — FAQ
Can the Florida Department of State apostille my FD-258 Fingerprint Card?
No — and neither can anyone else: the FD-258 card is never apostilled. The FBI report it produces is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State.
Do I have to travel to Washington, D.C. from Florida?
No. We handle the Washington submission for you. Most Florida clients send their documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from Florida?
About 10–12 business days for Hague Convention countries and 15–17 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, plus shipping.
How much does it cost?
$299 per document for Hague countries, with government fees and U.S. shipping included; non-Hague destinations are $399 including embassy legalization.
Related: FD-258 Fingerprint Card — full guide · All documents in Florida · Federal vs. state apostille
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.