Apostille in Texas: how it works and where a notary fits

An apostille certifies a Texas public record for use in another country. All facts below are from the Texas Secretary of State apostille page (checked 2026-10-29).

Who issues it

The Texas Secretary of State is the only agency in Texas that issues apostilles and authentications for Texas public records. It issues a universal Apostille that works as both authentication and apostille. For countries not in the Apostille Convention, you also need the U.S. State Department’s Office of Authentications.

Do you need a notary first?

• Recordable documents (birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, judgments, probated wills and similar) are issued by state or county officials. A notary cannot notarize or copy these. Get a certified copy from the issuing office; the SOS says it must be less than five years old.
• Non-recordable documents (copies of diplomas, transcripts, passports or licenses, powers of attorney, contracts, business documents, translations) need a signed statement from the issuer or signer describing the document, notarized by a Texas notary with a correct certificate, signature, seal and date.

What gets rejected

• Documents with the term “Notario Publico,” or a notary acting outside their authority.
• Federal documents (FBI background checks, naturalization certificates): those go to the U.S. State Department.
• Documents from other states or countries.

Online notarizations

The SOS will apostille online (RON) notarized documents if they include the notary’s ledger details and a certificate stating the document was notarized online by two-way audio and video. Some countries do not accept online notarizations; check with the receiving agency.

Fees and how to submit

International adoption apostilles are $10 per document (up to $100 per child). For other fees and the request form, see How to Request a Universal Apostille and the SOS Apostille/Authentication Guide.

Dallas notaries listing apostille help

Uptown Notary & Signing Co. and DFW Notary Professional both list apostille services (Dallas mobile notaries). Only the Secretary of State issues the apostille itself.

Before you book

• Every signer needs an unexpired government-issued photo ID (what ID to bring).
• Do not sign until you are in front of the notary.
• Texas caps the notarial fee itself ($10 first signature on an acknowledgment, $1 each additional; §406.024). Ask for the total, including any travel charge, before you book. See notary fees in Texas.
• Check any notary’s commission in SOS Direct.

Listings are not paid endorsements. See all verified Dallas mobile notaries or use the Find a Mobile Notary box on the home page.