Texas Apostille Checklist: Get Documents Ready in 2026

An apostille is the certification that makes a U.S. document valid for use in another country under the Hague Convention. If you're sending a birth certificate, diploma, or power of attorney abroad, it almost always needs to be notarized first, then apostilled by the Texas Secretary of State. Here's the exact order of steps for 2026.

What Is an Apostille and When Do You Need One?

An apostille is a certificate attached to a document that confirms the notary's or official's signature and seal are genuine, so a foreign country will accept it without further authentication. You need one any time a U.S. document is going to be used in a Hague Convention member country, for example a birth certificate for a foreign marriage, a diploma for a job or school abroad, or a power of attorney for a property sale overseas.

Texas Apostille Checklist, Step by Step

• Confirm the destination country is a Hague Convention member (if not, you need authentication through that country's embassy or consulate instead)

• Get the underlying document notarized with the acknowledgment language required for apostille (a mobile notary can do this the same day)

• Complete the Texas Secretary of State's apostille request form

• Submit the notarized document, form, and fee to the Secretary of State's office in Austin, by mail or in person

• Allow processing time, expedited/walk-in service is available if you're in Austin

Common Documents That Need an Apostille

• Birth and marriage certificates

• Single-status or no-record letters

• Diplomas and academic transcripts

• Powers of attorney for property or business abroad

• Corporate resolutions and articles of incorporation

• Adoption and immigration-related paperwork

Frequently Asked Questions

Do notaries issue apostilles themselves?

No. Only the Texas Secretary of State's office issues the apostille certificate. A notary's job is to notarize the underlying document correctly so the Secretary of State's office accepts it without delay.

How fast can I get the notarization part done?

Same-day in most cases. As a 24/7 mobile notary, we can typically meet you the same day you need the underlying notarization, which is usually the bottleneck before submission.

What if my destination country isn't a Hague Convention member?

Then you need document authentication through that country's embassy or consulate instead of an apostille, a different process. Check the destination country's requirements before you start.

Last updated: July 2026. Need a document notarized for an apostille? Learn more about our apostille prep service or call/text (210) 972-8667.