How to Get an Apostille in Texas: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide

If you need to use a Texas document overseas—for immigration, marriage, employment, study, business, or property transactions—you may be asked to obtain an apostille. This article explains what an apostille is, when you need one, and exactly how to get an apostille in Texas.

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is an official certificate issued under the Hague Apostille Convention. It verifies that the signature, seal, or stamp on a public document is authentic, allowing that document to be legally recognised in another Hague Convention country.

If the destination country is not a Hague Convention member, the document must instead go through consular legalisation, which is a different and more complex process.

Who Issues Apostilles in Texas?

In Texas, apostilles are issued by the Texas Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State can issue apostilles for:

Texas-issued public documents, and
Documents notarised by a Texas Notary Public.

Common Documents Apostilled in Texas

Common examples include:

Birth, marriage, and death certificates
Divorce decrees and court orders
FBI background checks (after proper notarisation or certification)
University diplomas and transcripts
Powers of attorney
Affidavits and statutory declarations
Corporate documents (Certificates of Formation, Certificates of Fact)

Step 1: Confirm the Destination Country

Before starting, confirm whether the country where the document will be used is a Hague Apostille Convention country.

Hague country → Apostille required
Non-Hague country → Consular legalisation required

This step is essential—an apostille is not valid for non-Hague countries.

Step 2: Prepare the Document Properly

Texas Vital Records

Documents such as birth or marriage certificates must be:

Certified copies issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services or a Texas county clerk
Signed by an official whose signature is on file with the Secretary of State

Plain photocopies are not accepted.

Notarised Documents

Private documents (e.g. powers of attorney, affidavits) must be:

Notarised by a Texas Notary Public
Properly executed with correct notarial wording

Incorrect notarisation is the most common cause of apostille rejection.

Step 3: Submit the Apostille Request

Texas offers several submission options.

1. In Person (Fastest)

You may submit documents in person at the Secretary of State’s office in Austin, Texas.

Same-day processing is often available
Useful for urgent matters
Walk-ins are generally accepted

2. By Mail (Most Common)

Mail your documents to the Secretary of State.

You must include:

The original document
A completed Authentication Request Form
Payment (cheque or money order)
A prepaid return envelope

Mail processing times vary depending on volume.

3. Using a Professional Apostille Service

Many applicants use:

Apostille service companies
Mobile notaries or legal professionals

This is especially helpful if:

You are outside Texas or overseas
You need fast turnaround
You want to avoid rejections due to technical issues

Step 4: Pay the Fees

As at the time of writing, Texas charges:

USD $15 per apostille

Additional costs may apply for:

Expedited courier return
Professional service providers

Step 5: Receive and Use the Apostilled Document

Once issued, the apostille is:

Attached to the document, or
Issued as a separate certificate referencing it

The document can then be used directly in the destination Hague Convention country without further authentication.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using a notary commissioned outside Texas
Submitting uncertified copies of public records
Incorrect notarial certificates or missing seals
Assuming an apostille works for non-Hague countries
Laminating documents (this invalidates them)

Does an Apostille Expire?

An apostille itself does not expire, but:

The underlying document may have validity limits (e.g. police checks)
Some countries impose their own time restrictions

Always check the requirements of the receiving authority.

Texas Apostilles