Certificate of Status or Articles: which does the bank need?
The Sunbiz certification menu separates a Certificate of Status from a certified copy of a particular filing. If the recipient asks for Articles of Incorporation, a status certificate is not a substitute for those articles. Conversely, a historic filing copy does not answer every request for current corporate status. Obtain the recipient’s exact name for the record, its recency requirement and translation instructions.
What are the separate state fees?
The checked Sunbiz mail page lists $5 for an LLC Certificate of Status and $8.75 for a corporation. The accepted-document page lists a separate $10 apostille charge for this route. These are government charges, not an OrazAva service quote; record delivery, translation and private assistance are additional when requested. Recheck the current schedule before payment.
Does the certificate match the correct Florida company?
For a written request, use the legal entity name and Florida document or registration number. Confirm the certificate format suitable for apostille instead of sending a search-results screenshot. Ask for a current processing estimate; the checked status page does not establish a guaranteed apostille turnaround. A translation must meet the recipient’s requirements, not merely carry an unrelated notary stamp.
What affects obtaining and apostilling the certificate?
The status certificate must be issued before its official signature can be authenticated. Florida describes both an existing-original route and a combined certificate/apostille request with separate official charges. The certificate must match the recipient’s requested company and freshness requirement. Production, corrections, authentication and delivery are distinct stages; a service estimate should not treat them as one guaranteed government deadline.
Related questions
Should I notarize the status certificate?
Use the original state-issued certificate route. Do not replace the state certification with notarization of a photocopy.
Can I order both steps together?
Florida describes a combined submission with a separate status request and separate payments. Follow the current instructions.
Will an old status certificate be accepted abroad?
The recipient sets any freshness requirement. An apostille does not refresh the date of the underlying record.
Official requirements & sources
Official sources and their check dates are listed below. The receiving authority determines the requirements for your exact use.
- Florida Department of State: accepted documentsSources checked: 2026-10-24
- Sunbiz: Certificate of Status by mailSources checked: 2026-10-24
- Sunbiz: certification servicesSources checked: 2026-10-24
- Florida DOS: filing, fees and competent authoritySources checked: 2026-10-24
- Florida DOS: apostille FAQSources checked: 2026-10-24
OrazAva provides private document and administrative support. Government authorities issue apostilles. These guides are general information and do not provide legal advice.