Apostille/Authentication of Documents
The Office of the Texas Secretary of State (the Office) is the only agency in the state that can issue certificates and apostilles to authenticate Texas public records for use outside the United States. These certificates are often called authentications or apostilles. The Office provides a universal Apostille certificate, which acts as both an authentication and an apostille and is accepted in every country. However, for countries not part of the Apostille Convention, you will need additional authentication from the Office of Authentications at the U.S. State Department.
Public records fall into two main categories: recordable and non-recordable documents.
- Recordable documents are officially recorded and issued by state, or county officials and cannot be notarized or turned into certified copies by a notary public. (must be less than five (5) years old)
- Non-recordable documents are not recorded with a state, or county official and can be notarized by a Texas Notary Public.
- A notarization ledger, detailing the date and time signatures were applied to the document, document description, and signer information.
- A true and accurate notarial certificate, which contains the required statements indicating the document was notarized via "electronic or online notarization by two-way audio and visual communication."
| Recordable Documents can be: (but are not limited to) |
Non-Recordable Documents can be: (but are not limited to) |
|---|---|
| • Marriage Licenses or Applications • Divorce Decrees • Probated Wills • Judgments • Birth or Death certificates • State Issued Background Checks • County Background Checks (signed by the Sheriff) • Vehicle Record Requests • Car Title Seach Letters • Burial Transit Forms • Certified Copies of Texas Laws |
• City Background Checks • Original Notarized Will & Testament • Original Notarized Letters, Affidavits, etc. • Copy of a License or Certification • Copy of a Driver's License • Copy of a Passport * • Copy of a Transcript • Copy of a Diploma * • Copy of a Will & Testament * • Power of Attorneys * • Copy of Bylaws, Contracts, etc. * • Copy of Letters, Affidavits, Receipts, Bills, etc. *^ • Copy of Business or Corporation Documents *^ • Translations of Documents ** |
Non-Recordable Documents must include a typed, or written statement from the issuer or signer that summarizes its contents and intent. This statement must be accompanied by their signature, which must be properly notarized with a true and accurate notarial certificate, notary signature, seal, and date of notarization.
* = A notary may make a certified copy of the document, which must contain a true and accurate notarial certificate, if the document is not filed with a state, county, or city office or agency.
^ = When submitting a document with multiple attachments, your statement must include a list of all the documents attached; our Office must receive the complete document, including all the attachments listed.
NOTE: Any identifying documents, such as a driver's license or passport, must belong to the original owner, or signer of the document.
** = Translations must include a typed, or written statement from the translator indicating their translation services. This statement must be accompanied by their signature, which must be properly notarized with a true and accurate notarial certificate. The notarized translation must also include a copy of, or the original document which was translated.
"Notario Publico" or Notaries Acting Outside Their Authority
Documents containing the term "Notario Publico", or additional statements by a notary acting beyond their authority will be rejected. In Texas, notaries may only witness signatures, administer oaths, take depositions, make certified copies of non-recordable documents, and protest instruments as allowed by law. They cannot verify a signer's authority or legal capacity; draft documents; or select the notarial certificate. Additionally, a notary cannot make statements on behalf of signers; only the signer may do so, such as in a power of attorney.
Online (RON) Notarizations
Online (RON) notarization documents can be apostilled by our Office if presented with the following items:
Please note, some countries do not accept online (RON) notarized documents, even if properly authenticated by our Office. Please verify with the agency, or entity you are submitting your documents to in order to ensure they accept this type of notarization.
Please read through our Apostille/Authentication Guide (PDF) before submitting any notarized documents.
To request a universal Apostille, please read our instructions on:
International Adoption
Our Office will provide a universal Apostille for the documents necessary for international adoption proceedings. To help prevent rejections due to improper notarizations, please ensure you read through our Apostille/Authentication Guide (PDF) before submitting any notarized documents.
All adoption apostille requests must be submitted with our Form 2103 - Adoption Proceedings - Request for Apostille (PDF), and must be submitted with payment of $10 per document.
NOTE: For adoption requests, total fees may not exceed $100.00 for the adoption of each child.
