Texas Apostille and Notary Services

Need a Texas document recognized in another country? An apostille from the Texas Secretary of State certifies the signature and seal on a Texas public document or a Texas-notarized document so it can be used abroad in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Our Austin law office prepares your documents, submits them to the Texas Secretary of State, and returns the apostilled documents to you. Your documents are reviewed in the office of a licensed Texas attorney, which can help catch problems before they cause delays.

Apostille Services in Austin and Throughout Texas

We help clients in Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Manor, San Marcos, and throughout Texas. Because every Texas apostille is issued by the Texas Secretary of State in Austin, Texas documents can be apostilled no matter where in Texas they were issued.

Our Apostille Services

Review of your documents to confirm they qualify for a Texas apostille before anything is submitted
Notarization of documents that must be notarized before an apostille can be issued
Preparation and submission of the apostille request to the Texas Secretary of State
Courier delivery to the Texas Secretary of State in Austin for select clients, which can help avoid mail-in delays
Certified translations of documents and apostilles, when the receiving country requires them

Documents We Commonly Help Apostille

Birth, death, and marriage certificates issued in Texas
Texas divorce decrees and other court records
Powers of attorney for use abroad
Affidavits, consent letters, and travel consents for minors
Copies of diplomas and transcripts, with the required notarized statement
Texas business documents
Texas state background checks

Apostilles for Popular Destination Countries

We help with documents for use in any country. Requirements are set by the country where the document will be used, so always confirm them with the person or agency abroad that requested the document. For countries that are not members of the Apostille Convention, the Texas Secretary of State issues a certificate of authentication instead of an apostille, and an additional embassy or consulate step may be required. We commonly prepare documents going to:

Mexico: birth and marriage certificates, powers of attorney, and school records
Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and other former Soviet Union countries: powers of attorney, consent letters, and civil records, often with a translation
India and the Philippines: civil records, powers of attorney, and educational documents
China and Canada: both joined the Apostille Convention in recent years (China in 2023 and Canada in 2024), so many documents that once required embassy legalization can now be apostilled
Europe and Latin America: most countries accept apostilles

What Texas Cannot Apostille

The Texas Secretary of State issues apostilles only for Texas public records and documents notarized by a Texas notary. It cannot apostille:

Federal documents, such as FBI background checks or naturalization certificates. These are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State.
Documents issued in other states. These must be apostilled by that state.
Documents issued in other countries.

If you are not sure whether your document qualifies, send it to us for review before you order anything.

How the Process Works

Contact us through our website and tell us which country the document is for and your deadline.
Upload a copy of your document for review. We will tell you whether it qualifies and what, if anything, needs to be done first, such as obtaining a new certified copy or a notarized statement.
We prepare the request and submit it to the Texas Secretary of State.
We return the apostilled document to you or send it where you need it.

Turnaround and Fees

Turnaround depends on our availability and the priority and urgency of your request. Please tell us your deadline when you contact us so we can let you know what is realistic.

Fees depend on the number and type of documents and whether notarization, translation, or courier delivery is needed. The Texas Secretary of State also charges its own fee per document. Contact us for a quote.

Apostilles for Russian- and Ukrainian-Speaking Clients

Our office regularly helps clients prepare powers of attorney and other documents for use in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and other former Soviet Union countries, including notarization, apostille, and translation. Attorney Elena Vlady speaks Russian, and our office has an assistant who speaks Russian and Ukrainian.

Мы помогаем с апостилем Секретаря штата Техас, нотариальным заверением и переводом документов, в том числе доверенностей для использования в России, Украине и других странах бывшего СССР. Требования к документам определяет страна, в которой они будут использоваться, поэтому рекомендуем уточнить их заранее. Подробнее — на нашей странице об апостиле на русском языке. Мы также ведём на русском языке иммиграционные дела и дела о разводах в Техасе.

Related Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an apostille?

An apostille is a certificate attached to a public document that confirms the signature and seal on the document are authentic, so the document can be accepted in another country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Do I need an attorney for an apostille?

Not always. But an attorney’s office can confirm your document qualifies, prepare documents such as powers of attorney correctly, and coordinate notarization and translation, which can help avoid rejections and delays.

How do I get an apostille in Texas?

Texas apostilles are issued by the Texas Secretary of State in Austin. The document must be a Texas public record, such as a certified copy of a birth certificate, or a document notarized by a Texas notary. We review your document, prepare the request, and submit it for you.

How long does a Texas apostille take?

It depends on the Texas Secretary of State’s current processing times, whether your document needs anything first (such as notarization or a new certified copy), and our availability. Tell us your deadline and we will let you know what is realistic.

What if the country is not a member of the Hague Convention?

Countries that are not members of the Convention generally require a different process, called authentication or legalization, which may include an additional step with that country’s embassy or consulate. Tell us the destination country and we will explain the options.

Can you apostille a copy of my birth certificate?

A photocopy cannot be apostilled. The Texas Secretary of State requires a certified copy issued by the appropriate Texas office. If you need a new certified copy, we can explain how to request one.

Can I get an apostille on a power of attorney for use in another country?

Yes, if the power of attorney is signed before a Texas notary. Many countries also have specific wording or translation requirements, so confirm them with the person or agency abroad before signing.

Can you apostille my FBI background check?

No. FBI background checks are federal documents and are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not the Texas Secretary of State.

Can you apostille a document from another state?

No. Documents issued in another state must be apostilled by that state’s Secretary of State.

Do you notarize documents?

Yes. We notarize documents in our office, including documents that will be apostilled. All signers must present valid, government-issued photo identification.

Do I need a translation?

Many countries require a certified translation of the document and the apostille. We provide legal document translations and can coordinate them with your apostille.

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This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Requirements of the Texas Secretary of State and of the destination country may change; confirm current requirements before submitting documents.