// documents
Every document — and exactly what a Florida notary can do with it.
Some documents a notary can copy-certify. Many cannot — birth certificates, court orders, and government records have to be authenticated by the issuing agency, and for use abroad that means an apostille. Find your document below for a clear yes/no and the right next step.
English · Español · Русский · Українська · 20 document types
// the florida copy-certification rule
Can a Florida notary certify a copy of your document?
A Florida notary may attest that a photocopy is a true copy only when you bring the original, unaltered document and it is not a vital record or a record kept in a public registry. That single rule decides everything below.
A notary CAN copy-certify
Personal documents in your own custody — bring the original and we certify a true copy.
A notary CANNOT copy-certify
Vital records, court & government records — these come from the issuing agency, and for use abroad they get an apostille.
Documents we apostille
8Vital records, court rulings, and government documents can't be copy-certified by a notary — for use abroad they get an apostille. This is the bulk of our specialty.
Birth Certificate
[01]A birth certificate is the document people most often try to get notarized — and the one a Florida notary legally cannot copy-certify. We can't make a certified copy, but for use abroad we apostille your certified birth certificate so it's recognized overseas. This is our most common apostille.
view birth certificateDeath Certificate
[02]Settling an estate, claiming a foreign pension, or closing accounts overseas often requires an apostilled death certificate. A Florida notary cannot copy-certify a death certificate — but we apostille the certified original so it's accepted abroad, handled with care during a hard time.
view death certificateMarriage Certificate
[03]Marrying abroad, applying for a spousal visa, or claiming a foreign benefit? You'll likely need an apostilled marriage certificate. A Florida notary cannot copy-certify a marriage record — but we apostille the certified copy so it holds up in another country.
view marriage certificateDivorce Decree
[04]Remarrying abroad, updating immigration status, or proving a name change overseas can require an apostilled divorce decree. A Florida notary cannot copy-certify a court divorce decree — but we apostille the clerk-certified copy so it's recognized in another country.
view divorce decreeSchool Transcript
[05]Applying to a university or employer abroad? They usually want your transcript apostilled, not just notarized. A Florida notary cannot copy-certify a school transcript — but we apostille the registrar-certified transcript so foreign institutions accept it.
view school transcriptFBI Background Check
[06]Work visas, residency, and foreign teaching jobs almost always require an apostilled FBI background check (FBI Identity History Summary). A Florida notary cannot copy-certify it — and unlike most apostilles, an FBI check is authenticated through the U.S. Department of State, not Tallahassee. We handle that federal channel for you.
view fbi background checkCourt Order & Judgment
[07]Custody orders, judgments, name-change orders, and other court rulings used abroad need an apostille on the clerk-certified copy. A Florida notary cannot copy-certify a court order — but we apostille the certified copy so it's recognized in another country.
view court order & judgmentAdoption Records
[08]International adoption, dual citizenship, and overseas benefit claims can require apostilled adoption records. A Florida notary cannot copy-certify adoption documents — but we apostille the court- or agency-certified records so they're accepted abroad, handled with discretion.
view adoption recordsDocuments we can copy-certify
8IDs, diplomas, certificates, and personal financial papers are in your custody, so a Florida notary can attest that a copy is true — with the original present.
Driver's License
[01]Need a notarized copy of your Florida driver's license for a rental application, an out-of-state employer, or an insurance claim? A Florida notary can attest that a photocopy is a true copy of the original — as long as you bring the real card. We do it on the spot, anywhere in Palm Beach County.
view driver's licensePassport
[02]A certified copy of your passport is one of the most-requested items we handle — banks, foreign consulates, and overseas employers ask for it constantly. A Florida notary can certify that a photocopy of your passport is a true copy, with the booklet in hand. Bilingual, mobile, same-day.
view passportDiploma & Degree Certificate
[03]Applying for a job, license, or graduate program abroad and asked for a notarized copy of your diploma? A Florida notary can certify a true copy of a diploma or degree certificate. And if it's headed overseas, we can apostille it in the same visit.
view diploma & degree certificateStudent ID
[04]Need a notarized copy of a student ID — for a scholarship, a tenancy, a phone plan, or a transit discount? A Florida notary can certify a true copy of a school or university student ID card with the original present. Quick, low-cost, and we come to campus or your home.
view student idEmployee ID & Work Badge
[05]Asked for a notarized copy of your employee ID or company badge for a background check, a visa file, or an HR record? A Florida notary can certify a true copy of an employer-issued ID with the original card present. We come to your office or home, days, evenings, and weekends.
view employee id & work badgeCertificate & Award
[06]Professional certifications, training certificates, and awards often need a notarized copy for licensing boards, employers, or applications abroad. A Florida notary can certify a true copy of a certificate or award with the original in hand — and apostille it if it's leaving the country.
view certificate & awardBank Statement
[07]Proving funds for a visa, a mortgage abroad, or a rental? You may be asked for a notarized copy of your bank statement. A Florida notary can certify a true copy of a printed bank statement with the original in front of us — fast, mobile, and bilingual.
view bank statementBill & Invoice
[08]Utility bills and invoices are common proof-of-address and proof-of-purchase documents — and sometimes a notarized copy is required. A Florida notary can certify a true copy of a bill or invoice with the original present. We come to you across Palm Beach County.
view bill & invoiceDocuments we notarize (signatures)
4Some documents aren't about copies at all — they need a notary to witness your signature at signing, and an apostille if they cross a border.
Power of Attorney
[01]A power of attorney is one document where a notary is essential — we notarize your signature so it's legally valid, and apostille it when it's used abroad. We can't certify a copy of an already-signed POA, but we do the part that actually makes it work: the notarization (and the apostille for international use).
view power of attorneyVehicle Title
[02]Selling or transferring a vehicle in Florida means notarizing the title — and sometimes verifying the VIN. A Florida notary cannot copy-certify a vehicle title (it's a state record), but we notarize the title transfer and can perform a VIN verification, on-site at your driveway or dealer.
view vehicle titleProperty Deed
[03]Transferring real estate — a quitclaim, warranty, or lady bird deed — requires a notary to acknowledge the signatures so the deed can be recorded. A Florida notary cannot copy-certify a recorded deed (that's the clerk's job), but we notarize the deed at signing and apostille it when an out-of-country owner is involved.
view property deedTax Return
[04]Mortgages abroad, visa applications, and foreign income filings sometimes ask for a certified or apostilled tax return. A Florida notary cannot copy-certify an IRS tax return — but we can notarize a sworn statement about it, and apostille IRS-issued documents for use abroad.
view tax returnNot sure which applies to your document?
Palm Beach County, FL · Same-day, evenings & weekends — we reply fast.