Quick answer
Translation is where Dominican files most often fail. 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 2009
- Online notarization
- Available as an add-on
- Consulate serving Florida
- Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in Miami; Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in Orlando
- Translation
- Dominican offices usually want the Spanish translation to carry its own apostille.
How a Florida certified translation is used in Dominican Republic
Translation is where Dominican files most often fail. Dominican offices usually want the Spanish translation to carry its own apostille, not just the original. The route that works for most filings: apostille the English original, have the original and its apostille translated by a professional translator who signs a certification of accuracy, have that certification notarized by a different Florida notary, since the translator can't be the notary, and apostille the notarized translation as a second document. Some Dominican offices may want the translation made in the DR instead, so ask first.
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 Dominican Republic — and translation
The Dirección General de Migración (DGM) handles residency and minors' exit permits. The Junta Central Electoral runs the civil registry through its Oficialías del Estado Civil and records births, marriages and deaths of Dominicans abroad, usually through the consulates. MESCyT recognizes higher-education degrees, the Dirección General de Impuestos Internos issues tax IDs and handles inheritance tax, and the Registro de Títulos records property transfers. MIREX authenticates Dominican documents, not Florida ones.
Dominican offices usually want the Spanish translation to carry its own apostille. The translator certifies the translation of the original and its apostille, a separate Florida notary notarizes that certification (the translator can't be the notary), and we apostille the notarized translation as a second document, so an original plus translation is our two-document price of $380. Some Dominican offices may instead want the translation made in the Dominican Republic; ask the office that will receive your file.
Minors' exit permits from the DGM are valid for 90 days once approved. For other documents, ask the receiving office how recent they must be; criminal-record certificates are the most time-sensitive, and freshly certified vital records avoid the pre-2014 signature problem.
Consular office serving Florida: Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in Miami; Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in Orlando.
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 Dominican Republic
$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 Dominican Republic 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).
