My Florida Apostille
Serving Tampa
My Florida Apostille
Serving Tampa
The FDLE background check (Florida Department of Law Enforcement criminal history record) is the standard background-check document for foreign work visa applications, residency applications, international teaching positions, professional licensing abroad, and international adoption. It's required by countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, Korea, China, the UK, most European Union member states, Australia, and New Zealand.
FDLE issues background checks in three ways: (1) the standard name-based check, (2) the certified copy with embossed seal (the version we apostille), and (3) the FBI fingerprint-based check through a Live Scan vendor (different document, see our FBI apostille service). For an apostille, you need the certified FDLE result on official FDLE letterhead with the embossed agency seal. The standard PDF download from FDLE's website cannot be apostilled — only the certified version.
To request a certified FDLE background check, visit the FDLE website (fdle.state.fl.us) and select "Florida Criminal History Record Check." The certified version costs $24 from FDLE and takes 1–2 weeks by mail. Once you have the certified document in hand, we apostille it in 5–7 business days. Tampa residents working in international hospitality, energy, healthcare, finance, and academia rely on us for fast turnaround on these.
Payment is collected online when you place the order — credit card or ACH. Drop-off at our West Palm Beach office is also available at the same $190 price if you can travel. FDLE results are time-sensitive — most foreign governments require the apostille to be dated within 6 months of submission, so don't wait too long between getting the FDLE check and getting it apostilled.
Every week we help dozens of Hillsborough County residents authenticate their documents for use abroad. These are the most common reasons fdle background check apostille services are requested.
UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Singapore, Korea, China, Japan, the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and most other major work-visa countries require an apostilled FDLE background check for the visa application.
International schools and universities — especially in the Middle East, Asia, and South America — request apostilled FDLE background checks as part of the teaching contract package.
Portugal's D7 visa, Spain's non-lucrative visa, Mexico's temporary residency, Costa Rica's pensionado, and similar residency programs require apostilled background checks from the applicant's state of residence.
Foreign adoption agencies require apostilled FDLE background checks for both adoptive parents as part of the home-study and dossier package.
Medical, legal, engineering, accounting, and other professional licenses in foreign countries require apostilled background checks as part of the credentialing process.
Many embassies and consulates in Florida require apostilled background checks for visa interviews, work permits, and family reunification cases — especially in Miami where many consulates are located.
Order online, we file in person at the Florida Department of State, your documents come back in 5–7 business days. Same standard service for every customer outside Palm Beach and Broward.
The simplest option for Tampa residents. Order online, we email you a pre-paid FedEx QR code, you drop your envelope at any FedEx — no printer needed.
Not sure which fits? Call (850) 900-3443 — most calls take 5 minutes.
The same procedure for every Tampa apostille — whichever option you choose.
Choose drop-off, mobile pickup, or online — whichever fits your week. Pay $190 per document up front (online) or at the appointment.
Hand them to us, give them to our pickup specialist, or drop your FedEx envelope. Same destination either way.
Our Tallahassee back-office team walks your documents in person to the Florida Department of State counter.
We return the finished apostille the same way you sent it. 5–7 business days, every order.
Tampa is home to roughly 398,000 residents. With Tampa International Airport and major arteries like the Riverwalk, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge view, the Port of Tampa, Bayshore Boulevard, I-275, I-4, I-75 all within reach, the city is part of one of Florida's most internationally connected regions — which is why so many residents need documents authenticated for use abroad.
We serve clients throughout Tampa's neighborhoods including Hyde Park, Davis Islands, Channelside, Ybor City, SoHo, Westshore, New Tampa, and Seminole Heights, as well as nearby municipalities such as St. Petersburg, Brandon, Wesley Chapel, Clearwater, Riverview, and Plant City.
For Tampa residents, the most convenient option depends on where you are: Order online — we email you a FedEx QR code. Whichever you pick, every document gets walked in person to the Florida Department of State by our Tallahassee back-office team — same 5–7 business day turnaround.
Order online — we email you a FedEx QR code. Same 5–7 business day turnaround. Same in-person filing at the Florida Department of State.
Last updated: May 12, 2026
My Florida Apostille ("we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you use myfloridaapostille.com or our apostille service, how we use it, and what choices you have.
When you place an order, we collect: your name, email address, phone number, return shipping address, the type and number of documents you're ordering, the destination country, and any notes you include with your order. We also receive payment information indirectly through Stripe, our payment processor — we never see or store your full card number.
When you visit our website, we collect standard analytics data: IP address, browser type, pages visited, and referring URLs. This data is used to improve the site and is not tied to your personal identity.
We share your information only with the third-party service providers necessary to fulfill your order:
We do not sell your personal information. We do not share your data with marketers or advertisers.
You ship physical documents to our office for processing. We treat your original documents as confidential and store them securely until they are filed with the Florida Department of State. We do not retain copies of your documents after the apostille is returned to you.
We retain order records (name, email, order details) for seven years to comply with tax and business record requirements. You may request deletion of your data at any time by emailing [email protected], subject to our legal retention obligations.
Our website uses minimal cookies for basic functionality and analytics. We do not use advertising cookies or tracking pixels from third-party ad networks.
You have the right to access, correct, or delete the personal information we hold about you. To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected] or (850) 900-3443.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the most recent changes were made. Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
For privacy questions, contact: [email protected]
Last updated: May 12, 2026
By using myfloridaapostille.com or our apostille service, you agree to these Terms of Service. Please read them carefully before placing an order.
My Florida Apostille is an independent document service that facilitates apostille processing through the Florida Department of State on behalf of customers. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Florida Department of State, the U.S. Department of State, or any government agency. We are a private business providing convenience services.
You agree to:
Our standard turnaround is five to seven business days from the moment we receive your documents at our office. This timeline depends on third-party factors outside our control, including FedEx transit times and the Florida Department of State's processing schedule. We are not liable for delays caused by carriers, state offices, weather, holidays, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
If the Florida Department of State rejects your document, we will contact you within one business day to discuss options. Some rejections can be resolved same-day at the counter; others require new documents from the issuing agency. Rejections do not entitle you to a refund of the state filing fee or our service fee, because both the fee and the labor have been performed.
Documents shipped via FedEx are insured up to $100 by default. For irreplaceable documents, you may purchase additional FedEx Declared Value coverage at the time of drop-off. We are not liable for loss or damage during transit beyond FedEx's published insurance coverage.
Payment is due at the time of order placement and is processed by Stripe. Refunds are governed by our separate Refund Policy.
All content on myfloridaapostille.com, including text, graphics, logos, and design, is the property of My Florida Apostille and protected by U.S. copyright law. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without our written permission.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim related to our services is limited to the amount you paid us for the order in question. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, including but not limited to lost opportunities, missed deadlines, or visa application denials.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Florida. Any disputes will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Leon County, Florida.
We may update these Terms at any time. The "Last updated" date reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.
For questions about these Terms: [email protected]
Last updated: May 12, 2026
We want every customer to be satisfied. Because our service involves third-party fees and irreversible work performed on your behalf, refunds depend on when you cancel.
To request a refund, contact us by:
Include your order number (from your confirmation email) and a brief explanation. We will respond within one business day.
Approved refunds are processed within 5–10 business days to the original payment method. Your bank or card issuer may take additional time to display the refund.
If your documents are damaged or lost in transit by FedEx, FedEx insurance applies (default $100, or up to the Declared Value coverage you purchased). We will work with you to file a FedEx claim. Our service fee is non-refundable in these cases because the loss occurred outside our control.
If you have questions about our refund policy before placing an order, please contact us — we'd rather answer questions upfront than handle refunds later.