Short answer: Yes, a document written in Spanish may qualify for a Texas apostille, provided it meets the Texas Secretary of State's authentication requirements. However, the language of the document, the notarial certificate, and the requirements of the country receiving it can affect how the document should be prepared.
If you have a Spanish-language power of attorney, business agreement, affidavit, or another document for use abroad, it's important to review the document before notarization and apostille submission.
At Texas Apostille Notary, we've encountered bilingual documents containing separate English and Spanish versions, multiple signature pages, and notarization requirements that needed careful attention before proceeding.
Does the Texas Secretary of State Accept Documents Written in Spanish?
A document does not automatically become ineligible for an apostille simply because it is written in Spanish.
The Texas Secretary of State authenticates qualifying Texas public records and documents bearing properly completed Texas notarizations.
An apostille authenticates the signature, official capacity, and applicable seal of the public official. It does not certify that the document's contents are legally valid or that a translation is accurate.
The important questions are whether the document qualifies for Texas authentication, whether any notarization is properly completed, and whether the receiving authority will accept the resulting document.
A Spanish-language document should be reviewed before assuming it can be notarized and apostilled exactly as presented.
Can a Texas Notary Notarize a Document Written in Spanish?
Yes. Texas law does not prohibit notarizing a document simply because it is written in Spanish or another foreign language.
However, the notary must understand the notarial certificate being completed and must be able to perform the requested notarial act properly.
A Texas notary who is not a licensed attorney cannot select the type of notarial certificate for the signer or provide legal advice about the document.
The signer and notary must also be able to communicate sufficiently to complete the notarization in accordance with applicable requirements.
For Texas Apostille Notary's remote online notarization services, sessions are conducted in English. We do not provide translated or interpreter-assisted online notarization sessions.
If the signer cannot communicate in English or the document requires a type of notarization we cannot provide, another qualified professional may be needed.
Does the Texas Notarial Certificate Have to Be in English?
Texas law does not expressly require every notarial certificate to be in English. The Texas Secretary of State's published guidance states that the notarial certificate must be in a language the notary can read and understand.
However, in our experience submitting documents to the Texas Secretary of State, we have had apostille requests rejected specifically because the notarial certificate was written in a foreign language.
For that reason, Texas Apostille Notary requires notarial certificates to be completed in English for documents submitted through our service.
The underlying document may be written entirely in Spanish or another language. It is the language and proper completion of the notarial certificate that require particular attention.
Our recommendation: If you're preparing a foreign-language document for a Texas apostille, use a properly completed English-language Texas notarial certificate to help avoid processing delays or rejection.
What if My Document Contains Both English and Spanish?
Bilingual documents can require additional review, particularly when they contain separate signature pages or notarial certificates.
A document might include:
- An English version of an agreement.
- A Spanish version of the same agreement.
- Separate signature pages for each language.
- A notarization attached to one or both versions.
- Instructions from the receiving authority specifying which language version must be authenticated.
These details can affect how the document is presented for notarization and apostille processing.
A Real-World Example: A Bilingual Agreement With Two Signature Pages
We worked with a client preparing a lengthy agreement containing both English and Spanish text.
The agreement was approximately 29 pages long. The English signature page appeared earlier in the document, while the Spanish signature page appeared separately.
The client needed the document prepared for international use.
The challenge was determining which signature required notarization and how the completed document should be presented for a Texas apostille.
We considered whether the complete bilingual agreement should be submitted or whether a separately prepared Spanish-language version would be more appropriate if the receiving authority required it.
Rather than assume that both versions would be handled identically, we considered the document structure, notarization requirements, and possible alternatives before submission.
The lesson: When a document contains multiple language versions or signature pages, review the entire document before notarization. Do not assume that a notarial certificate on one page automatically authenticates every separate signature or language version.
Every situation is different, and the appropriate approach depends on the document and the receiving authority's instructions.
Can I Remove the English Pages and Apostille Only the Spanish Version?
Not automatically.
If a document has already been signed and notarized, removing pages afterward can create questions about which document was actually presented to the notary.
This is particularly important with electronically notarized documents, where the electronic signature and digital certificate may protect the integrity of the complete file.
If the receiving authority wants a Spanish-only agreement, the better approach may be to prepare that version correctly before notarization rather than removing pages from an already completed document.
If separate language versions require separate notarizations or apostilles, those requirements should be established before proceeding.
Our recommendation: Never alter a completed notarized document simply to make apostille processing easier.
Does a Spanish-Language Document Need a Certified English Translation?
Not necessarily.
Whether an English translation is needed depends on the document, the notarial process, applicable Texas authentication requirements, and the receiving authority.
The Texas Secretary of State also has specific requirements for apostilling notarized translations.
For example, when a translation itself is submitted for authentication, the translator's statement and signature must be properly notarized, and the translated document must accompany it.
That is different from submitting an original Spanish-language document with its own qualifying Texas notarization.
A translation prepared solely for document review does not automatically become part of the notarized document or receive an apostille.
Does a Texas Apostille Need to Be Translated?
Can a Spanish-Language Document Be Notarized Online and Apostilled?
Potentially, yes.
Texas permits remote online notarization, and the Texas Secretary of State provides an apostille process for qualifying online-notarized documents.
However, additional documentation may be required for the Secretary of State's review, depending on the online notarization and submission method.
Not every destination country or receiving authority accepts remotely notarized documents, even when a Texas apostille has been issued.
Texas Apostille Notary offers remote online notarization for eligible adults who meet applicable identification, identity-verification, and communication requirements.
Before proceeding, we review the document and available notarization options.
Will the Country Receiving My Document Accept a Texas Apostille?
An apostille confirms the origin of the authenticated public document for use under the Hague Apostille Convention.
It does not guarantee that the foreign receiving authority will accept the underlying document for its intended purpose.
For example, a receiving authority may require:
- A particular language version of the agreement.
- A certified or sworn translation.
- Specific document wording or signatures.
- An original notarized document.
- Additional documentation relating to the transaction.
Requirements can vary even between organizations in the same country.
Always obtain the receiving authority's instructions before having a complex bilingual document notarized or apostilled.
How Can Texas Apostille Notary Help?
Our Austin-based team coordinates Texas apostille processing for qualifying documents, including appropriate notarized documents intended for international use.
For clients with Spanish-language or bilingual documents, we can review the submitted materials and identify potential preparation or authentication issues before accepting an order.
We offer Standard, Expedited, and Same-Day Texas apostille processing options, subject to document eligibility and Texas Secretary of State processing availability.
When appropriate, we can also coordinate professional certified or sworn translation services.
Complete our online request form and upload your documents for review.
Please include the country where the document will be used, the receiving organization, and any instructions you've received about notarization, translations, or signatures.
Our team will review the request and respond by email with available service options and pricing.
Please do not ship originals or arrange notarization until you've received instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a document written entirely in Spanish receive a Texas apostille?
Yes, potentially. The underlying document may be entirely in Spanish, provided it qualifies for Texas authentication. Texas Apostille Notary requires an English-language notarial certificate for documents processed through our service.
Does the Texas notarial certificate have to be in English?
Texas Secretary of State guidance requires the certificate to be in a language the notary understands. However, we have experienced apostille rejections involving foreign-language notarial certificates, so our company requires English-language certificates.
Does the Texas notary have to speak Spanish?
The notary must understand the notarial certificate and communicate sufficiently with the signer. Our remote online notarization sessions are conducted in English.
Do I need two apostilles for a bilingual document?
Not necessarily. The number of apostilles required depends on the authenticated documents or notarial acts involved and the receiving authority's requirements.
Can I remove pages from an electronically notarized document?
Do not remove or alter pages from a completed electronically notarized document without determining how the change affects the document's integrity and validity.
Can Texas Apostille Notary review my bilingual document before notarization?
Yes. Submit the complete document through our request process so we can review the proposed notarization and apostille requirements before proceeding.
Official Resources
Texas Secretary of State — Apostille/Authentication of Documents
Information about eligible Texas documents, notarization requirements, and authentication procedures.
Texas Secretary of State — Frequently Asked Questions for Notaries Public
Guidance on notarial certificates, notarial authority, and the responsibilities of Texas notaries.
Hague Conference on Private International Law — Apostille Convention
International framework governing apostilles for qualifying public documents.
Texas Apostille Notary is an independent professional service provider, not a government agency. Information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Final document acceptance is determined by the receiving authority.
About the Author
Margie Kaplan and her Austin-based team at Texas Apostille Notary help clients coordinate Texas apostilles and document translations for international use.