Short answer. The Texas Secretary of State issues apostilles here for $15 per document, by mail and in person. Mailed requests can take up to two weeks from receipt; bulk drop-off requests three days; appointments and Monday or Friday walk-ins the same day.
Rather not deal with the office yourself? MCC Solutions handles apostilles for documents from Texas and every other state: we check the document, take care of any county step, submit it and ship it back to you, and we quote the price before any work starts. Request an apostille.
At a glance
- Issuing office
- Texas Secretary of State Official page
- Fee
- $15 per universal apostille (a different fee applies to adoption proceedings).
- How to submit
- By mail (check, money order or SOSDirect account) or walk-in (exact cash, check, money order or SOSDirect).
- Processing time
- Mailed requests can take up to two weeks from receipt; bulk drop-off requests three days; appointments and Monday or Friday walk-ins the same day.
- Request form
- Form 2102, Request for a Universal Apostille Open it
- Mailing address
- By mail: Office of the Texas Secretary of State, Authentications Unit, P.O. Box 13550, Austin, TX 78711-3550. Walk-in or appointment: 400 West 15th St, Austin, TX 78701 (Form 2102, Rev. 06/2026).
What each document needs first
- Vital records
- Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses and divorce decrees are public records the office authenticates.
- Notarized documents
- The office has separate instructions for notarized documents; the notary's stamp must be on the document itself.
- Court records
- Documents from a court, clerk of a court, public prosecutor or process server are accepted.
- School records
- Transcripts and diplomas have their own instructions on the office's site.
Checklist by document
- Vital record: county step not confirmed, 1 step not confirmed
- Notarized document: county step not confirmed, 1 step not confirmed
- Court record: county step not confirmed, 1 step not confirmed
- FBI background check: no county step first
- School record: county step not confirmed, 1 step not confirmed
Worth knowing
The office issues a single universal apostille that serves either purpose. The stamp has to be on the document itself, and a translation needs a notary to witness the translator's signature. Certified records must have been issued within the past five years, and copies of certified or notarized records aren't apostilled. Walk-in and drop-off: 400 West 15th Street, Austin.
Signing a power of attorney, affidavit or consent for use abroad? The online notary and apostille package, or check whether your country needs an apostille or legalization.
MCC Solutions handles New Jersey apostilles, and our guide explains how to get an apostille in New Jersey. For other states, this page lists the office's own process.
Official sources
- Authentication of Documents, Frequently Asked Questions, Texas Secretary of State (checked November 2026)
- Request a Universal Apostille, Texas Secretary of State (checked November 2026)
- Form 2102, Request for Universal Apostille (Rev. 06/2026), Texas Secretary of State (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal advice. Use the office's own request form where it has one. Federal records, including FBI checks, go to the U.S. Department of State, and a destination outside the Hague Convention also needs embassy legalization.
Common questions
Who issues apostilles in Texas?
The Texas Secretary of State. $15 per universal apostille (a different fee applies to adoption proceedings).
How do I apostille a Texas birth or marriage certificate?
Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses and divorce decrees are public records the office authenticates.
Can a notarized document from Texas be apostilled directly?
The office has separate instructions for notarized documents; the notary's stamp must be on the document itself.
How long does an apostille take in Texas?
Mailed requests can take up to two weeks from receipt; bulk drop-off requests three days; appointments and Monday or Friday walk-ins the same day. Allow extra time for mail and for any certified copy you still need to order.
Can I get a Texas apostille in person or online?
By mail (check, money order or SOSDirect account) or walk-in (exact cash, check, money order or SOSDirect).
What about a Texas court record?
Documents from a court, clerk of a court, public prosecutor or process server are accepted.
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