How a Florida diploma or transcript is used in Spain
Degree recognition in Spain (homologación or equivalencia) and university enrollment are where Florida diplomas go. Spain's rules have long required the apostille to sit on the original before any certified copy is made, so apostille first and copy second. Expect an official translation by a traductor jurado, and remember the transcript is a separate document with its own apostille. On the Florida side, the registrar must sign the diploma or transcript before a notary when it's issued; a copy you notarize yourself won't be apostilled.
Translation for Spain
Our general rule is a translation certified by the translator, notarized by a different notary and apostilled in Florida. Spain may instead require a traducción jurada by a sworn translator appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which publishes a searchable list. For nationality files, the Ministry of Justice also accepts translations done or checked at Spanish consulates abroad. Translate after the apostille and include the apostille page.
What your Florida diploma or transcript must look like
A school document is apostilled through a notarized copy: the registrar (or another school official) signs a statement that the copy is true, and a Florida notary notarizes that signature with a complete notarial certificate. The Department of State then apostilles the notary's signature. An original diploma, an unsigned transcript or a copy you notarize yourself cannot be apostilled. Ask the school for its apostille procedure first — most Florida universities and school districts have one — and send us the notarized copy, not the original.
Step by step: diploma or transcript apostille for Spain
- Order online — pick "Diploma or transcript" and "Spain" on the order form; $220 per document, $380 for two, $160 each for three or more.
- Send a photo — reply to the confirmation email with a picture of the document. We check the certification before anything ships, so a defect is caught before it costs you a round trip.
- Drop it at FedEx — after approval, FedEx emails you a prepaid QR code; show it at any FedEx Office or Ship Center, no printer or label needed.
- Filed in person in Tallahassee — we walk the document into the Florida Department of State and ship the apostilled original back by FedEx within 5–7 business days of receipt — to your U.S. address, or to Spain with international return shipping (+$100).
One Florida apostille is all the U.S. side needs for Spain. Whatever the office there asks for after that — a translation, a filing deadline — is covered above.