✈️ Florida Apostille Services · International Repatriation
Documents for International Repatriation of Remains from Florida
Repatriating a loved one from Florida requires a specific package of apostilled and translated documents — and each one matters. We guide your family through every step, clearly and with care.
It's Not One Document — It's a Package
Repatriating a loved one's remains or ashes from Florida to another country involves three different institutions: the Florida Department of Health, a licensed funeral home, and the destination country's consulate — each issuing a different document. All of those documents must be apostilled through the Florida Secretary of State and translated before the consulate will authorize the shipment. Missing or incorrectly processed documents can delay the process at a moment when families need things to move quickly.
Miami Apostilla specializes in apostille and certified translation services from Miami, FL. We handle the entire document package — so your family can focus on what matters.
The complete package
Which Documents Need an Apostille in Florida
🕊️ Death Certificate
Issued by the Florida Department of Health. Must be apostilled through the Florida Secretary of State and translated into Spanish or the destination country's official language before the consulate will accept it.
📄 Burial-Transit Permit
Issued by the county where the death occurred. Requires an apostille and certified translation into the destination country's language to be accepted by the corresponding consulate.
⚱️ Embalming or Cremation Certificate
Issued by the licensed funeral home, notarized, citing the embalmer's license. Requires an apostille and certified translation to be recognized by the destination country's consulate.
🩺 Certificate of No Contagious Disease
Issued as a separate document from the embalming certificate. Requires an apostille in addition to certified translation before the consulate will process the repatriation authorization.
🛂 Consular Authorization / Remains Visa
Issued free of charge by the destination country's consulate — but only after all apostilled and translated documents above are submitted and approved. This is the final step, not a substitute for the others.
How it works
How the Repatriation Process Works in Florida
Hire a licensed Florida funeral home
The funeral home coordinates the preparation of the remains (embalming or cremation) and works alongside the consulate throughout the process. Airlines only accept remains shipped by funeral homes they recognize as "known shippers."
Obtain the documents from the Florida Department of Health
The death certificate and burial-transit permit are requested from the Florida Department of Health — or the Department of Health in whichever state the death occurred. Direct family members or legal representatives must make this request.
We apostille and translate the entire package
We apostille each document through the Florida Secretary of State (24–72 hours for Florida documents) and coordinate certified translation of the full package into the required language — Spanish, Portuguese, French, or other.
The consulate issues the final authorization
With all apostilled and translated documents in hand, the destination country's consulate reviews the package and issues the authorization for the remains to enter — generally at no cost. This is the final clearance before shipment.
⚠️ Important: Exact requirements vary by destination country and consulate — some require additional documents or specific formats. We recommend contacting both the funeral home and the destination consulate at the start of the process. Miami Apostilla ensures every document in the package arrives with the correct apostille and translation that consulate specifically requires, with no delays.
Countries we serve
International Repatriation from Florida — Countries Served
We apostille and translate repatriation documents from Florida for any country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention — including Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Honduras, El Salvador, Ecuador, Peru, Dominican Republic, Spain, Italy, and most of Latin America and Europe. For countries that are not Hague members (such as Cuba), we handle the consular legalization process instead.
Related Services
Apostille of a U.S. Death Certificate
The first and most critical document in any repatriation package from Florida.
Certified Translations — Miami
ATA-certified translators in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, Creole and more.
Documents for Cuba (Consular Legalization)
Cuba is not a Hague member — a different process applies. We handle both.
Frequently Asked Questions — International Repatriation from Florida
Do all repatriation documents need an apostille in Florida?
Yes. All documents in the repatriation package require an apostille and certified translation: the death certificate, the burial-transit permit, the embalming or cremation certificate, and the certificate of no contagious disease. The only exception is the consular authorization — that is issued directly by the destination country's consulate once all other apostilled documents are submitted.
How long does it take to apostille a Florida death certificate for international repatriation?
Apostilling a Florida death certificate through the Florida Department of State typically takes 24 to 72 hours. The overall repatriation timeline depends on coordination between the licensed funeral home, our office, and the destination country's consulate.
Does Miami Apostilla arrange the transport of the body or ashes?
No. The licensed funeral home coordinates the physical preparation and transport of the remains. Miami Apostilla's role is to apostille and translate every document the funeral home and the destination consulate require to authorize the shipment — quickly and correctly.
Is the process different for ashes versus a body?
It is simpler for cremated remains. A cremation certificate replaces the embalming certificate, and ashes do not require the same leak-proof container mandated for a non-cremated body. However, they must still comply with airline transport regulations and USPS rules if shipped by mail.
Can Miami Apostilla obtain the Florida death certificate for me?
No. You must request the death certificate directly from the Florida Department of Health, as only direct family members or legal representatives may order it. Once you have the original certified copy, we handle the apostille and coordinate translation of the entire package.
Which countries require an apostille on repatriation documents from Florida?
All countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention accept Florida apostilled documents. This includes Mexico, Colombia, Honduras, Venezuela, El Salvador, Ecuador, Peru, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Spain, Italy, and most of Latin America and Europe. For countries that are not Hague members — such as Cuba — consular legalization is required instead of an apostille. Miami Apostilla handles both processes.
Real Google Reviews
Families across Florida trust Miami Apostilla with the most important documents at the most difficult moments.
Need to Apostille Repatriation Documents from Florida?
We guide families through every document in the repatriation package — clearly, quickly, and with the care this moment deserves. Serving Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
