The General Rule
TO BE APOSTILLED IN TEXAS A DOCUMENT MUST:
- Be issued in the State of Texas, AND
- Bear the original signature and/or seal of a recognized Texas public official, OR
- Be properly notarized by a currently commissioned Texas notary public
Documents That Can Be Apostilled in Texas
📋 Vital Records
- Birth certificates — Texas DSHS or county clerk
- Marriage certificates — county clerk
- Death certificates — state or local offices
- Divorce decrees — final orders signed by Texas judge
⚖️ Court Documents
- Final divorce decrees
- Adoption orders
- Name change orders
- Probate or guardianship orders
- Judgments and signed court orders
🎓 Educational Documents
- High school diplomas and transcripts
- College and university diplomas
- University transcripts
- Letters of enrollment or good standing
✍️ Notarized Documents
- Powers of attorney
- Affidavits and sworn statements
- Letters of consent
- Business agreements
- Personal statements and declarations
- Notarized copies of passports or IDs
🏢 Business & Corporate Documents
- Certificates of formation or good standing
- Board resolutions
- Company bylaws or operating agreements
- Commercial invoices
- Agency or representation agreements
🔍 Background Checks
- FBI background check reports — must be notarized first
- Texas DPS criminal history records
- Employment verification letters — notarized
Documents That Cannot Be Apostilled in Texas
✗ Not Eligible for Apostille
- Credit cards or bank cards
- Driver licenses or ID cards themselves
- Personal letters with no notarization
- Documents issued in another US state
- Documents issued in another country
- Photocopies without notarization
- Documents without original signatures or seals
- Decorative ceremony certificates
Specific Document Requirements
| Document Type | Source | Notarization Needed First? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Texas DSHS or county clerk | No | Must be certified copy with seal — not a photocopy |
| Marriage certificate | County clerk where marriage was recorded | No | Ceremony/church certificates not accepted |
| Divorce decree | Texas court | No | Must be certified by court clerk |
| Diploma / Transcript | Texas school or university | Yes — if private institution | Check with registrar’s office for their process |
| Power of attorney | Prepared by individual | Yes — required | Notary must include complete certificate with seal |
| FBI background check | FBI.gov | Yes — after receiving from FBI | Must be notarized before SOS will apostille |
| Corporate documents | Texas SOS or company officers | Depends on document type | State-issued certificates go directly to SOS; private docs need notarization |
Educational Documents — Two Paths
Educational documents follow one of two paths depending on the institution:
- Path 1 — Direct certification: The school or university certifies the document directly with an official seal and authorized signature. This goes directly to the Texas SOS for apostille.
- Path 2 — Notarized statement: A Texas notary notarizes a statement from a school official, which is then submitted to the Texas SOS for apostille.
Each institution has its own policy. Check with the registrar’s office before preparing your apostille request. Gulf Apostille can advise on which path applies to your specific institution.
Do Translations Need to Be Apostilled Too?
Many documents require translation into another language. In most situations:
- The original English document receives the apostille
- The translation is certified by a translator or notary according to the receiving country’s rules
Some countries also require the translator’s certification to be notarized and apostilled separately. Always follow the specific instructions from the consulate or receiving agency. Gulf Apostille coordinates certified translation through our vetted translation network and can advise on the correct order for your country.
How Many Copies Should You Apostille?
If multiple agencies, consulates, or schools need the same record, order several certified copies and apostille each one separately. This lets you submit documents to different offices simultaneously without waiting for one to be returned before sending it to the next place.
For vital records like birth and marriage certificates, order extras upfront — it is much cheaper and faster than reordering later.
Quick Checklist — Is My Document Ready for Apostille?
- Is the document issued in Texas or notarized by a currently commissioned Texas notary?
- Does it have an original signature and, where appropriate, an official seal?
- Is it a certified copy — not a photocopy — for vital records and court documents?
- Is the notary block complete with seal, commission number, and expiration date?
- Is the document in good physical condition with no damage, tears, or alterations?
- Have you confirmed whether your destination country needs an apostille or embassy legalization?
Not Sure If Your Document Qualifies?
Gulf Apostille reviews your document before submission — at no extra charge — to confirm it will be accepted by the Texas Secretary of State. We handle apostille for Hague countries and full embassy legalization for non-Hague countries including Iraq, Egypt, UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar.
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📞 (832) 242-9779 | gulfapostille.com | Free document review
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Texas apostille a document issued in another state?
No. Texas can only apostille documents issued in Texas or notarized by a Texas notary public. Documents issued by another state’s government must be apostilled by that state’s Secretary of State.
Can I apostille a copy of my passport in Texas?
Not the passport itself — passports are federal documents and must go through the US Department of State. However a copy of your passport that has been properly notarized by a Texas notary public can be apostilled by the Texas SOS.
Can I apostille an FBI background check in Texas?
Yes — but only after it has been notarized by a Texas notary public first. The FBI background check itself is a federal document with no state-level signature or seal. A Texas notary attaches a notarial certificate to it, and then the Texas SOS can apostille the notarized document.
Can a decorative marriage certificate from our ceremony be apostilled?
No. Decorative or ceremony marriage certificates are not legal records. They have no county clerk seal or signature and will be rejected by the Texas SOS. You need the official certified marriage record from the county clerk’s office where your marriage was recorded.
Does my diploma need to be notarized before apostille?
It depends on the institution. Public university diplomas with official seals sometimes go directly to the Texas SOS. Private institution diplomas typically need notarization first. Check with your school’s registrar office for their specific process, or contact Gulf Apostille for guidance.
What if the country I am sending documents to is not in the Hague Convention?
You will need embassy legalization instead of an apostille. This applies to countries like Iraq, Egypt, UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar. Gulf Apostille handles the full authentication chain through our Washington DC agent network.
Gulf Apostille serves Houston, The Woodlands, Spring, Katy, Conroe, Cypress, and the greater Houston metro area.
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