Documents issued or notarized in Texas are apostilled by the Authentications Unit, Office of the Texas Secretary of State. The office authenticates the signatures of Texas public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Texas-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues a single 'Universal Apostille' that serves as both apostille and certificate of authentication; non-Hague destinations still need U.S. Dept of State authentication.
Where to file
| Office of the Texas Secretary of State, Authentications Unit, P.O. Box 13550, Austin, TX 78711-3550 | |
| In person | 400 West 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701 Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Walk-ins Monday and Friday only; Tuesday-Thursday by online appointment only. Same-day limited to 10 documents per person/company; walk-in waits can exceed an hour. Bulk (10+) via QR-registered drop box, 3-day turnaround. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://www.sos.state.tx.us/authinfo.shtml |
How to get a Texas apostille
- Confirm the document is a Texas public document
The Authentications Unit, Office of the Texas Secretary of State authenticates signatures of Texas officials and Texas-commissioned notaries only. Documents from other states go to their own state; federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Prepare the request
Complete the request form (official form), naming the destination country so the office issues an apostille (Hague country) or an authentication certificate (non-Hague country).
- Submit the document, fee and return envelope
Submit by mail to Office of the Texas Secretary of State, Authentications Unit, P.O. Box 13550, Austin, TX 78711-3550; in person at 400 West 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701 (Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Walk-ins Monday and Friday only; Tuesday-Thursday by online appointment only. Same-day limited to 10 documents per person/company; walk-in waits can exceed an hour. Bulk (10+) via QR-registered drop box, 3-day turnaround.). The fee is $15 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: Mail: estimated two weeks, first come first served; drop-off: 72 hours; appointment/walk-in: same day. Expedited: No paid expedite; same-day via appointment or walk-in (10-doc limit). Periodic pop-up events (e.g., Houston Aug 2026, appointment-only).. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $15 per document. Adoption documents $10 each, capped at $100 per child (Form 2103). Mail: check/money order on US bank payable to Texas Secretary of State or SOSDirect client account; no credit cards by mail. In person: cash (exact change), check, money order, card.
Processing time: Mail: estimated two weeks, first come first served; drop-off: 72 hours; appointment/walk-in: same day
Expedited: No paid expedite; same-day via appointment or walk-in (10-doc limit). Periodic pop-up events (e.g., Houston Aug 2026, appointment-only).
Documents Texas will apostille
- Texas birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees (certified, under 5 years old)
- Court judgments, probated wills
- TX-notarized affidavits, powers of attorney, translations
- Diplomas and transcripts (notarized)
- Vehicle title search letters, burial transit forms
- Adoption proceedings (Form 2103)
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Certified records older than five years
- Copies of certified or notarized records
- Documents containing 'Notario Publico' or notary statements exceeding notarial authority
- Federal documents (FBI checks, naturalization certificates)
- Documents from other states or countries
- Shipping labels marked 'Bill Sender' or handwritten air-bills
Notarized documents
Texas notary only. Non-recordable documents need a typed/written statement from the signer summarizing content plus a full notarial certificate. RON (online) notarizations accepted if the notarial certificate states it was done 'by two-way audio and visual communication' and a notarization ledger is provided. Documents using 'Notario Publico' are rejected.
Texas does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Recordable documents (birth/death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, judgments) must be certified copies issued within the past five years; notaries cannot certify copies of them.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Texas-specific points
- Walk-ins only Mon/Fri; Tue-Thu are appointment-only, booked online
- Five-year age limit on certified vital and court records
- Accepts RON-notarized documents but warns some countries reject them
- Business entity records go to a separate Certifications Unit (corpcert@sos.texas.gov), not the Authentications Unit
- Adoption apostilles are $10 and capped at $100 per child
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Texas does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Texas resident is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — see the federal section. For destinations outside the Hague Convention, the Texas authentication certificate must then be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State and legalized at the destination's embassy (how the chain works).
Frequently asked questions
How much does an apostille cost in Texas?
The Authentications Unit, Office of the Texas Secretary of State charges $15 per document. Adoption documents $10 each, capped at $100 per child (Form 2103). Mail: check/money order on US bank payable to Texas Secretary of State or SOSDirect client account; no credit cards by mail. In person: cash (exact change), check, money order, card.
How long does a Texas apostille take?
Mail: estimated two weeks, first come first served; drop-off: 72 hours; appointment/walk-in: same day Expedited option: No paid expedite; same-day via appointment or walk-in (10-doc limit). Periodic pop-up events (e.g., Houston Aug 2026, appointment-only)..
Can I get an apostille in person in Texas?
Yes. Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Walk-ins Monday and Friday only; Tuesday-Thursday by online appointment only. Same-day limited to 10 documents per person/company; walk-in waits can exceed an hour. Bulk (10+) via QR-registered drop box, 3-day turnaround.
Does Texas require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Authentications Unit, Office of the Texas Secretary of State provided the notary is commissioned in Texas and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Texas resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Texas. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
