What is an apostille, and what is a Declaration of Domicile?
Two different documents, often needed together for international students and families establishing Florida residency. I notarize the domicile form and request the apostille — I don't draft either one.
An apostille is a certificate the Florida Department of State attaches to a document so a foreign country will recognize it as authentic. A Declaration of Domicile is a Florida county form, signed before a notary and filed with the Clerk of Courts, that formally establishes Florida as your permanent legal residence.
Declaration of Domicile: what it is and who needs it
A Declaration of Domicile is a sworn statement, notarized and recorded with a county Clerk of Courts, that Florida is your true, fixed, and permanent home (F.S. §222.17). Common uses:
- Establishing Florida residency for in-state tuition, driver’s license, or voter registration
- Supporting a visa or international-student residency file where a state declaration carries more weight than a lease or utility bill alone
- Settling a domicile dispute for estate, tax, or probate purposes
- Correct current county form (not an emailed template)
- Factual fields (address, prior residence, date domicile established) filled in before the session
- One current government-issued photo ID
- Filing county confirmed in advance
- County recording fee budgeted separately from the notarization fee
Apostille: what it is and the batch process
An apostille only applies to a document that's already been executed (signed, notarized, or government-issued) and is headed to a country in the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. EMC's role: confirm which documents in your batch need notarization first vs. which are already issued and apostille-ready, complete the Apostille and Notarial Certificate Request Form, and submit it with the state fee ($10/document, $20 for county-certified copies).
For student-visa cohorts filing 15-35+ documents at once, EMC tracks each document individually through the batch so nothing gets lost or returned incomplete.
- Destination country identified before starting (some require extra translation/authentication steps)
- Documents sorted: need-notarization-first vs. already-issued-ready-for-apostille
- Full batch gathered before scheduling (incremental submission slows a multi-document request)
- Confirm whether original, certified copy, or both is needed
What EMC does not do
I don't determine whether a specific document is legally sufficient for your visa, academic, or foreign-government purpose, and I don't provide immigration advice. Confirm requirements with the receiving office or an immigration attorney before booking.
I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Florida, and I may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is an apostille?
A one-page certificate issued by a state's Department of State that verifies a notarized or government-issued document for legal use in another Hague Convention country.
What is a Declaration of Domicile?
A sworn, notarized statement filed with a Florida county Clerk of Courts declaring Florida as your permanent legal residence, used for tuition, licensing, immigration files, and estate/tax domicile questions.
Can EMC apostille a document I already had notarized elsewhere?
Yes, as long as it was properly notarized by a Florida notary or issued by a Florida or U.S. government office. The apostille authenticates the notarization or issuing office’s seal, not the underlying facts.
How long does the apostille process take?
Turnaround is set by the Department of State's processing queue, not by EMC. We share the current typical range at booking and track your batch until it returns.
Do I need both the Declaration of Domicile and an apostille at the same time?
Not always. Many student-visa and relocation files need both, but they're independent processes and can run together in one session or separately depending on your timeline.
Which Florida counties does the Declaration of Domicile form differ by?
Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach each publish their own current version. If you're filing elsewhere, tell us and we'll confirm the correct form first.
Related templates
Download the Apostille & Declaration of Domicile Packet
Official state and county form links, the full batch checklist, and fee schedule, in one PDF for students, families, and relocation planners.
Get the free apostille & domicile packet →