Quick answer
China is the exception to our usual translation rule. One Florida apostille is all the U.S. side needs — $220, 5–7 business days.
- Issued by
- The translator, signing an affidavit of accuracy before a Florida notary who is not the translator.
- Florida state fee
- $10 — included in $220
- Route
- Apostille only — Hague member since 2023
- Online notarization
- Available as an add-on
- Consulate serving Florida
- Embassy of China in Washington, D.C.
- Translation
- China generally requires a full Chinese translation sealed by a translation agency, often one registered in China, or by the employer for work-permit files.
How a Florida certified translation is used in China
China is the exception to our usual translation rule. Chinese offices, including Beijing's marriage registration and the work-permit system, generally want a full Chinese translation sealed by a translation agency, often one registered in China, or by the employer for work permits. A Florida translation, even certified, notarized and apostilled, may not be accepted. Ask the Chinese office whether it accepts a translation done abroad before paying for one.
Getting a certified translation Florida will apostille
The complete translation bound to the translator's affidavit (name, languages, document translated, statement of accuracy and competence), sworn before a different Florida notary with a complete jurat. As a rule, the translation is certified, notarized and apostilled in Florida so it carries its own apostille, while the original document gets its own apostille first.
Ask the receiving authority whether it accepts a translation made in the U.S.; some countries may also or instead require their own sworn or official translator (for example, a traductor jurado in Spain, a sworn translator in Germany or a perito traductor in Mexico). The translator can sign through our online notarization add-on: $40 for the first document ($10 notarization fee + $30 technology platform fee) and $20 for each additional document. Translation and notarization fees are not included in our $220, and we don't translate.
State fee for this document: $10 — included in our price. Full details on the certified translation apostille page.
Who receives it in China — and translation
Work permits go through local foreign-expert and work-permit offices; residence permits through public security bureaus' exit-entry offices; companies through local Administrations for Market Regulation; marriages through civil affairs marriage registration offices; and inheritances through Chinese notary offices. The Embassy of China in Washington, D.C. serves Florida, but it no longer authenticates U.S. documents for mainland China.
China generally requires a full Chinese translation sealed by a translation agency, often one registered in China, or by the employer for work-permit files. A Florida translation, even certified, notarized and apostilled, may not be accepted, so ask the Chinese office first.
Work-permit rules require a criminal record certificate issued within six months, and Beijing's marriage registration rules treat a single-status document as valid for six months. Other offices set their own limits.
Consular office serving Florida: Embassy of China in Washington, D.C.
Four steps, one week
Order online
Pick the document and destination country on the order form and pay by card. After we review your documents, FedEx emails you a prepaid label.
Send it — or sign online
Drop the envelope at any FedEx location. Not signed yet? Add online notarization and there is nothing to ship.
We file in person
We review it, then walk it to the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee for the apostille.
Returned to you
Back in 5–7 business days — anywhere in the U.S., or abroad for a flat $100.
Why certified translations get rejected
- Translator notarized their own affidavit
- Certificate of accuracy with no notarization
- Translation stapled to the certified original before it was apostilled
- Destination required its own sworn translator
What it costs for China
$220 per document, $380 for two and $160 each for three or more — the state fee, request form, in-person filing in Tallahassee and FedEx shipping inside the U.S. are included. Shipping the finished apostille to China is a flat $100 per order.
Not included: whatever the issuing office charges for the certified copy or certificate, and notarization (online notarization is $40 for the first document — $10 notarization fee + $30 technology platform fee — and $20 for each additional one).