An apostille is an official certification from the Secretary of State (from the state your document originated from) that makes your U.S. document legally valid in other countries. Think of it as an international "stamp of approval." It's required for birth certificates, diplomas, marriage certificates, and other documents you'll use abroad for things like international adoption, working overseas, studying abroad, or immigration.

No! We offer a convenient all-in-one mail-in service. You never have to visit the Secretary of State yourself — we handle the entire apostille process for you from start to finish, including state filing fees and USPS Priority Mail return delivery within the United States.

No, we specialize in apostille services only. We do not translate documents. However, if you need a document translated before getting it apostilled, we're happy to recommend certified translators in the area. Our "Servicios en Español" means we can assist you in Spanish and explain the apostille process in your language—not that we translate documents.

No. We currently offer all-in-one mail-in service only. You never have to visit the Secretary of State yourself — we handle the entire apostille process for you from start to finish, including state filing fees and USPS Priority Mail return delivery within the United States. Please contact us for mailing instructions and processing details.

Our all-in-one mail-in service makes the apostille process simple. You mail your documents to us, and we handle everything from start to finish — including state filing, processing, and return delivery. Once completed, we securely send your documents back to you via USPS Priority Mail within the United States. International return shipping is arranged separately at an additional cost.

Some documents must be notarized before they can be apostilled, while others do not.

Documents that typically require notarization include:

• Powers of attorney

• Affidavits and sworn statements

• Business or corporate authorization letters

• Parental consent forms for travel or custody

• Any document that is signed in front of a notary public

Documents that usually do NOT require notarization include:

• Birth certificates

• Death certificates

• Marriage certificates

• Divorce decrees

• Court-certified documents

• Educational diplomas (if issued with an official seal)

If you are unsure whether your document needs notarization, contact us before submission, and we will confirm for you.

Texas provides a "universal Apostille" that works as both. It operates as an apostille for countries that are party to the Hague Convention and as an authentication for countries that aren't. If your destination country isn't part of the Hague Convention, you may need additional authentication from the U.S. Department of State—we can guide you through that process.

Over 120 countries that are part of the Hague Convention accept apostilles. This includes most of Europe, Latin America, Australia, and many Asian countries. View the complete list here.

No, not all need to be notarized.

It depends on the document type:

Documents that DON'T need notarization (already certified by government):

• Birth certificates issued by Texas DSHS or county clerk

• Death certificates

• Marriage licenses

• Divorce decrees

• Court documents with clerk's certification

These are already official and ready for apostille processing.

Documents that DO need notarization first:

• Powers of attorney

• Affidavits

• Personal statements

• Some diplomas/transcripts (depends on how your school issues them)

• Business contracts and documents

Text us a photo of your document at (512) 710-7771 and we'll let you know if it's ready for apostille processing.

Texas Secretary of State requires that vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees) be issued within the past 5 years. If your document is older, you'll need to request a new certified copy from:

For birth or death certificates:

• Order online at Texas.gov (fastest): https://www.texas.gov/texas-vital-records/

• Texas DSHS Vital Statistics: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics/birth-records

• Local county clerk where the event occurred (usually faster than state)

For marriage licenses or divorce decrees:

• County clerk in the county where the marriage or divorce was recorded

Not sure if your document qualifies? Text us a photo at (512) 710-7771 and we'll let you know.

This confuses everyone! The 5-year rule is about when the certificate was printed, not when you were born.

Here's what it means:

If you were born in 1990 and your parents got your birth certificate in 1990, that certificate is now too old for apostille (it was issued in 1990).

What you need: Order a fresh certified copy from Texas DSHS or your county clerk today (2026).

What will the new copy show?

• Date of Birth: 1990 ← Doesn't change

• Date Issued: 2026 ← This is what matters for the 5-year rule

The new certified copy has all the same information (your birth date, parents' names, etc.), but it has a current issue date and current registrar signature - that's what makes it eligible for apostille.

Think of it like renewing your driver's license - your birth year doesn't change, but you need a current copy with a recent issue date.

Order new certified copies:

• Online (fastest): https://www.texas.gov/texas-vital-records/

• Texas DSHS: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics/birth-records

• County clerk: Usually faster than state

Questions? Text us at (512) 710-7771 and we'll help!

No. The Texas Secretary of State only provides apostilles for Texas public records. Documents from other states must be apostilled in the state where they were issued. Texas Secretary of State

Standard service: Most apostilles are completed within 3 business days.

Rush same-day service: Available for an additional $75 fee for documents received by 10 AM, Monday-Friday (excluding holidays)

Note: If the Secretary of State office is closed for holidays, weather emergencies, or other reasons, processing will be delayed to the next business day.

A certified copy is an official copy issued directly by the government agency that created the original record. It's NOT a photocopy you make yourself, and a notary public CANNOT certify vital records like birth or marriage certificates.

A certified copy has:

• 📜 Raised seal or official stamp from the issuing agency

• ✍️ Registrar's original signature (the government official who certifies it)

• 🔒 Security features (special paper, watermarks, etc.)

• 📅 Issue date showing when this copy was printed

Example: If you were born in 1990, your original birth certificate is from 1990. To get an apostille in 2026, you need to order a new certified copy dated 2026 from Texas DSHS or your county clerk. The new copy shows your 1990 birth date but has a 2026 issue date - that's what makes it eligible for apostille.

Where to get certified copies:

• Birth/Death certificates: Order online at Texas.gov or Texas DSHS

• Marriage/Divorce records: County clerk in the county where the event was recorded

For Birth or Death Certificates:

• Order online (fastest): Texas.gov Vital Records

• Texas DSHS Vital Statistics: Order Birth Records

• Local county clerk: Contact the county clerk where the birth or death occurred (usually faster than ordering from the state)

Cost: Typically $23 per certified copy from Texas DSHS

For Marriage Licenses:

• County clerk: Contact the county clerk in the county where you got married

• Each county has their own ordering process and fees

For Divorce Decrees:

• County clerk or district court: Contact the court in the county where your divorce was finalized

Not sure which county or how to order? Text us at (512) 710-7771 and we'll help you find the right office.

Processing time: Online orders from Texas DSHS typically take 2-4 weeks. County clerks are often faster (sometimes same-day if you go in person).

Yes! The apostille verifies signatures and seals, not content. As long as your document was issued and certified (or notarized) in Texas, it can be apostilled regardless of language.

Important: The notary acknowledgment must be in English, even if the document itself is in another language. Also, some foreign countries require a certified translation attached to the apostilled document—check with your receiving country's requirements.