What Is a Texas Apostille?
A Texas apostille is an official certification issued by the Texas Secretary of State that verifies the authenticity of a public document for use abroad. The word “apostille” comes from French and means certification or annotation.
When a foreign government, university, employer, or court receives a US document, they need proof that the document is genuine and that the signature or seal belongs to a real authorized official. The apostille provides that proof in a format recognized by over 120 countries worldwide.
Texas apostilles are issued under the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 — an international treaty that simplified the authentication of public documents between member countries. If both the country where the document was issued and the country where it will be used are Hague Convention members, an apostille is all you need. No embassy visit. No consulate stamp. One certificate from the Texas Secretary of State and your document is internationally recognized.
Which Documents Qualify for a Texas Apostille?
The Texas Secretary of State issues apostilles for documents that originate in Texas or have been notarized by a Texas notary public.
Personal Documents
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce decrees
- Death certificates
- Name change orders
- Adoption records
Educational Documents
- High school diplomas
- University degree certificates
- Official transcripts
- Enrollment verification letters
- Academic records
Legal & Business Documents
- Powers of attorney
- Affidavits and sworn statements
- Corporate records
- Certificates of good standing
- Contracts notarized in Texas
Government Documents
- FBI background check reports
- Texas DPS criminal history records
- Texas driver record abstracts
- Vital records from Texas counties
Which Countries Accept a Texas Apostille?
As of 2025 the Hague Apostille Convention has 129 member countries. Here is a breakdown of the most commonly requested destinations from Houston:
✅ Apostille Accepted
- Saudi Arabia (joined Dec 2022)
- Bahrain
- Oman
- Morocco
- Tunisia
- India
- China (joined Nov 2023)
- Mexico
- Spain, France, Germany, Italy
- Poland, Brazil, Colombia
- And 100+ more countries
⚠️ Embassy Legalization Required
- Iraq
- Egypt
- UAE
- Kuwait
- Qatar
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Vietnam
- And other non-Hague nations
If your destination country is not a Hague member, an apostille will not be accepted. You will need embassy legalization instead — a separate multi-step process involving the US Department of State and the foreign embassy in Washington DC.
Step-by-Step: How to Get a Texas Apostille
You need the original certified document or a certified copy. For vital records like birth and marriage certificates order a certified copy directly from the Texas Department of State Health Services or the county clerk where the event was recorded.
Photocopies are not accepted. The document must be an original or a certified copy with an official seal or signature.
Not all documents need notarization before apostille.
Government-issued documents with an official seal — birth certificates, marriage certificates, court orders — go directly to the SOS without notarization.
Private documents — powers of attorney, personal affidavits, letters, private school records — must be notarized by a commissioned Texas notary public before the SOS will accept them.
The Texas Secretary of State office in Austin is the only authority in Texas authorized to issue apostilles. You have three options:
In-Person Appointment
Address: 1019 Brazos Street, Austin TX 78701
Walk-ins: Monday and Friday — same day
Appointments: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday — same day
Limit: 10 documents per appointment, 1 appointment per person per day
Fee: $15 per document
Bulk Drop Box
For more than 10 documents. Drop off at the Austin office. Processing: 24–48 hours.
Mail Submission
Mail to: Secretary of State, Authentications Unit, PO Box 12887, Austin TX 78711
Include payment + prepaid return envelope + cover letter with destination country.
Processing: 3–5 business days after receipt.
The SOS attaches the apostille certificate directly to your document — either on the back of the document itself or on a separate attached page called an allonge. The apostille includes 10 standard information fields and a unique certificate number verifiable online through Texas’s e-Register.
Texas Apostille Processing Times
| Submission Method | Processing Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| In-person walk-in Mon/Fri | Same day | Urgent deadlines |
| In-person appointment Tue–Thu | Same day | Scheduled visits |
| Bulk drop box | 24–48 hours | Multiple documents |
| Mail to SOS | 3–5 business days after receipt | Standard requests |
Common Reasons Texas Apostille Requests Are Rejected
- Wrong notary certificate — incomplete, wrong language, or signed by an expired notary commission.
- Wrong document type — submitting a photocopy instead of an original or certified copy.
- Missing notarization — submitting a private document that required notarization without the notary step.
- Destination country is not a Hague member — submitting for apostille when the destination requires embassy legalization instead.
- Out-of-state document — submitting a document issued by another state’s government. Those must go to that state’s Secretary of State.
- Laminated or damaged document — any lamination, tears, corrections, or alterations cause automatic rejection.
- Missing payment — the $15 fee must be included with every submission.
Let Gulf Apostille Handle It For You
Houston-based apostille specialist. We review your document, submit to the Texas SOS in Austin, and return it to you by tracked mail or personal delivery anywhere in the Houston metro area.
| Service | Timeline | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 10–15 business days | $149 |
| ⭐ Expedited | 5–7 business days | $249 |
| Rush | 1–3 business days | $349 |
Get Started Today 💬 WhatsApp Us
📞 (832) 242-9779 | gulfapostille.com | Same-day response
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Texas apostille cost?
The Texas Secretary of State charges $15 per document. Gulf Apostille’s all-inclusive service fee starts at $149 for standard processing and includes document review, SOS submission, and return delivery.
Can I get an apostille the same day in Texas?
Yes — walk-in appointments are available Monday and Friday at the Austin SOS office. Gulf Apostille offers rush service with 1–3 business day turnaround.
Does my birth certificate need to be notarized before apostille?
No. Texas birth certificates issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services are government documents with an official seal. They go directly to the SOS without notarization. However a photocopy of a birth certificate must be notarized before apostille.
Can I get a Texas apostille by mail?
Yes. The SOS accepts mail submissions with a prepaid return envelope. Processing is 3–5 business days after receipt. Gulf Apostille’s mail-in service handles the Austin submission on your behalf.
My document is from another state — can Texas apostille it?
No. Only documents issued by Texas authorities or notarized by Texas notaries can receive a Texas apostille. Documents from other states must be apostilled by that state’s Secretary of State.
What is the difference between apostille and authentication?
An apostille is a single certificate accepted by 129 Hague Convention member countries. Authentication is a multi-step process required for countries not on the Hague Convention — it involves the US Department of State and the foreign embassy. Gulf Apostille handles both.
Gulf Apostille serves Houston, The Woodlands, Spring, Katy, Conroe, Cypress, Humble, Tomball, and the greater Houston metro area.
Bilingual English and Arabic service — نتحدث العربية
Need to mail your documents? Use our mail-in apostille service — available nationwide.
gulfapostille.com | (832) 242-9779