How to Get an Apostille in Texas: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're sending a document to another country — a birth certificate, a power of attorney, a diploma, or business paperwork — you'll often be asked for an "apostille." It sounds complicated, but the process is very manageable once you know the steps. Apostilles are one of my specialties at Royal Seal Mobile Notary, and I help clients across El Paso, Las Cruces, and nationwide get their documents authenticated correctly the first time. Here's exactly how apostilles work in Texas, step by step.

What is an apostille?

An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document so it will be recognized in another country. It's issued under the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, which the United States and more than 120 other countries have joined. In plain terms: an apostille tells a foreign government that the notary or official who signed your document is legitimate. If the destination country is part of the Hague Convention, an apostille is usually all you need. If it isn't, the document may require a different process called authentication or legalization instead.

What kinds of documents need an apostille?

Apostilles are commonly requested for both personal and business documents. On the personal side, that includes birth, marriage, and death certificates, powers of attorney, single-status affidavits for marriage abroad, adoption paperwork, diplomas and transcripts, and background checks. On the business side, it can include articles of incorporation, commercial contracts, and export documents. Some documents (like vital records) are certified copies issued by a government office, while others (like a power of attorney) are private documents you sign in front of a notary. The type of document affects which office issues the apostille.

Step 1 — Notarize or obtain a certified copy

For a document you're creating yourself — such as a power of attorney, an affidavit, or a travel authorization for a minor — the first step is a proper notarization. Bring the unsigned document and a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID, and sign in front of the notary. For vital records like a birth or marriage certificate, you'll instead need a certified copy from the issuing agency (in Texas, the Department of State Health Services or the county clerk); a regular photocopy will not qualify.

Step 2 — Submit to the Texas Secretary of State

In Texas, apostilles are issued by the Texas Secretary of State's Authentications unit. Your notarized document or certified copy is submitted to that office, which verifies the official's signature and attaches the apostille certificate. There is a state fee per document, and processing times vary depending on volume and whether you submit by mail or in person. This is the step where small mistakes — a missing certification, an expired notary commission, or the wrong type of copy — cause delays, so it pays to get the paperwork right before it's submitted.

Step 3 — Confirm your country's requirements

Before you send anything off, confirm what the receiving country and institution actually require. Some ask for a certified translation of the document along with the apostille, and some have specific formatting requests. Because I offer bilingual service and can coordinate certified translations, I help make sure your document arrives ready to be accepted — not sent back.

How Royal Seal makes apostilles easy

Handling an apostille yourself means juggling notarization, certified copies, state fees, and mailing — often on a deadline for travel, immigration, or a family matter overseas. As an El Paso apostille service, I handle the moving pieces for you: I notarize what needs notarizing, help gather the right certified copies, facilitate submission to the Texas Secretary of State, and keep you updated along the way. I serve El Paso, Las Cruces, and surrounding communities in person, and I can assist clients nationwide through remote online notarization. Se habla español — con gusto le ayudo en español.

I am not an attorney and cannot give legal advice. I can help you understand and complete the apostille process, but I cannot tell you which documents your specific situation requires.