Short answer: Yes! You don't have to live in Texas or travel to Austin to obtain a Texas apostille. If your document qualifies for authentication by the Texas Secretary of State, our Austin-based team can coordinate the process for you, even if you live in another state or outside the United States.
Texas Apostille Notary works with clients who need Texas documents authenticated for international use. After reviewing your documents, we provide processing options, pricing, and instructions for sending your originals when required.
Do I Have to Be in Texas to Get a Texas Apostille?
No. Your physical location does not determine whether you can obtain a Texas apostille.
What matters is whether the document qualifies for authentication by the Texas Secretary of State.
For example, you might live in California but need an apostille for a Texas marriage certificate. Or you might live in Florida and need to authenticate a document that was properly notarized by a Texas notary.
In either situation, you may be able to obtain a Texas apostille without traveling to Austin.
Our team handles eligible documents through the Texas Secretary of State so clients don't have to manage the submission and return process themselves.
What Documents Qualify for a Texas Apostille?
The Texas Secretary of State authenticates qualifying Texas public records and documents that have been properly notarized by Texas notaries.
Examples include:
- Texas birth and death certificates
- Texas marriage records
- Certain Texas court records
- Properly notarized Texas affidavits and powers of attorney
- Qualifying school diplomas and transcripts
- Certain business and corporate documents
- Properly notarized translations
Different document types have different preparation and authentication requirements.
For example, a Texas birth certificate generally requires an eligible certified copy issued by the appropriate records office. A notary cannot simply notarize a photocopy of a birth certificate to replace the required certified record.
Our recommendation: Submit your document for review before ordering replacements, arranging notarization, or shipping originals.
Can Texas Apostille a Document Issued in Another State?
Generally, no.
If you have a California birth certificate, a Florida marriage certificate, or a New York court record, the Texas Secretary of State cannot authenticate that other state's public record.
You would ordinarily need to contact the appropriate authority in the state that issued it.
However, there's an important distinction between a document issued by another state and a separate document properly notarized by a Texas notary.
Certain non-recordable documents may qualify for a Texas apostille based on an eligible Texas notarization.
That doesn't mean you can convert an out-of-state certified public record into a Texas record simply by notarizing a copy.
The key question is: What exactly is being authenticated—the issuing public official's signature or a Texas notary's signature?
That's one of the first things we consider when reviewing a request.
How Do I Send My Documents to Austin?
You don't have to arrange a trip to the Texas Secretary of State.
For approved orders within the United States, Texas Apostille Notary can arrange a prepaid FedEx shipping label so you can send your original documents to our Austin team.
Here's how our process works.
Step 1 — Submit Your Apostille Request
Tell us what documents you have, which state issued them, where they will be used, and when you need them returned.
Upload your documents for review. An electronic copy is useful for evaluating the request, but it does not necessarily replace the original or certified document needed for processing.
Step 2 — Receive Your Quote and Shipping Instructions
Our team reviews the request and explains the available processing options.
Once the order and document requirements are approved, we provide instructions for submitting your documents.
For qualifying domestic orders, we can arrange an inbound FedEx shipping label. Any applicable shipping charges will be included in your quote.
Step 3 — Ship Your Documents
Follow the approved shipping instructions and provide tracking information when requested.
Please do not mail original documents to us before receiving approval and instructions.
Step 4 — We Handle the Texas Apostille
After your documents arrive and are confirmed ready for submission, our Austin-based team coordinates the apostille process with the Texas Secretary of State.
Processing depends on document eligibility, service level, state requirements, and availability.
Step 5 — Receive Your Completed Documents
After processing, we arrange return delivery according to the shipping service approved for your order.
Domestic return shipping is available. International return shipping arrangements are handled separately.
Real-World Example: An Apostille Client in Houston
We recently received an inquiry from a client in Houston who needed a Texas apostille but preferred to send the documents from Houston rather than travel to Austin.
Instead of asking the client to coordinate a trip or find a local courier, we offered a more convenient approach.
After document review and order approval, we could arrange a prepaid FedEx label so the client could drop the package at a FedEx location in Houston.
Our Austin team could then receive the documents and coordinate the selected apostille processing service.
The client was offered options based on when the documents would arrive and the processing speed requested.
This illustrates why document review and shipping coordination are just as important as the apostille submission itself.
The important point is not that every package arrives overnight or that every document qualifies for same-day processing. It's that clients outside Austin can often complete the process without traveling here.
How Fast Can I Get a Texas Apostille From Another State?
Texas Apostille Notary offers three service options for qualifying documents:
Standard Processing
Our Standard service generally targets approximately 3–7 business days, depending on the documents and processing requirements.
Expedited Processing
Our Expedited service prioritizes qualifying documents after receipt and approval, subject to processing availability.
Same-Day Processing
Same-Day service may be available for eligible documents received, reviewed, and approved before the applicable cutoff.
Important: Same-day apostille processing is not the same as same-day delivery.
If you're shipping documents from another city or state, the time required for the package to reach Austin must be considered separately.
State processing, inbound transit, and return shipping are different parts of the overall timeline.
We confirm available options after reviewing your request.
Can I Send My Documents From California, Florida, or New York?
Yes, provided the documents qualify for a Texas apostille.
For example, someone living in California may need a Texas marriage certificate apostilled for use in Spain.
The person's California address does not prevent the Texas Secretary of State from authenticating an eligible Texas marriage certificate.
Similarly, a client living in New York may need an apostille for a qualifying Texas-notarized document.
What matters is the document's eligibility—not the client's current residence.
If your document was issued in another state, we'll need to determine whether it belongs with that state's authentication authority instead.
What if I Live Outside the United States?
Clients living abroad may also request Texas apostille services for qualifying documents.
The document-review process begins online, so you can provide information about your documents and the receiving authority before arranging delivery to Austin.
International shipping requires additional coordination.
For return shipping outside the United States, clients can generally provide an approved prepaid DHL, UPS, or FedEx shipping label. Concierge international shipping arrangements may also be available by prior approval for an additional fee.
We will confirm the available arrangements based on your destination, shipment requirements, and order.
Do I Need a Texas Apostille or an Apostille From Another State?
This is one of the most important questions to answer before sending documents anywhere.
Consider these examples:
Example 1: Texas birth certificate, client lives in Florida
An eligible Texas-certified birth certificate would generally be submitted for a Texas apostille.
Example 2: California birth certificate, client lives in Texas
The California birth certificate generally requires authentication by the appropriate California authority—not Texas.
Example 3: Private document properly notarized by a Texas notary
The document may qualify for Texas authentication if it satisfies the Texas Secretary of State's requirements.
Example 4: FBI background check
An FBI background check is a federal document. The Texas Secretary of State does not issue apostilles for federal records. Federal authentication must be handled through the appropriate federal authority.
If you're unsure which authority should authenticate your document, identify where it was issued and who signed or notarized it before ordering.
Can I Have My Document Notarized Online Before Getting a Texas Apostille?
Potentially, yes.
Texas Apostille Notary also offers remote online notarization for qualifying documents.
This may allow eligible signers who are outside Texas to complete a Texas online notarization without traveling to a notary's office.
However, the Texas Secretary of State has specific authentication requirements for remotely notarized documents.
Not every document qualifies, and not every foreign receiving authority accepts online notarization.
We recommend checking those requirements before scheduling a notarization.
How Much Does a Texas Apostille Cost?
Texas Apostille Notary offers Standard, Expedited, and Same-Day processing options for qualifying Texas documents.
Our apostille service prices include the applicable Texas Secretary of State filing fees. There are no separate government apostille fees added to our quoted service prices.
Shipping, translations, additional documents, and other optional services may involve additional charges.
After reviewing your documents and requested processing speed, we'll provide a quote outlining the applicable fees before proceeding.
How Do I Request a Texas Apostille From Another State?
Getting started is straightforward.
Complete our Texas apostille request form and tell us:
- What document you need apostilled.
- Which state issued it or where it was notarized.
- Which country will receive it.
- When you need the completed document.
- Where the completed apostille should be returned.
- Whether you need help arranging inbound shipping to Austin.
Our team will review the request and respond by email with processing options, pricing, and instructions.
Please wait for document approval and shipping instructions before sending originals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Texas apostille without traveling to Texas?
Yes. Eligible Texas documents can be sent to our Austin-based team for apostille processing after your request has been reviewed and approved.
Can I get a Texas apostille if I live in California?
Yes, if the document qualifies for a Texas apostille. Your state of residence does not determine which state authenticates the document.
Can Texas apostille my California birth certificate?
No. A California-issued birth certificate generally requires authentication through the appropriate California authority.
Can you provide a prepaid FedEx label to send my documents to Austin?
Yes, for approved domestic orders when that shipping option is available. Applicable shipping charges and arrangements are confirmed in your quote.
Can I get a same-day apostille if I'm mailing documents from another state?
Same-day processing may be available after qualifying documents arrive in Austin and are approved before the applicable cutoff. Shipping time is separate from apostille processing time.
Do I need to send my original documents?
Many document types require an original notarized document or an eligible certified copy. Submit a copy for preliminary review first, and we'll explain what must be shipped.
Do you offer international return shipping?
Yes. International shipping can be arranged using an approved prepaid carrier label or, when available, through our concierge shipping service.
Can I send documents before completing your request form?
No. Please complete the request process and receive our instructions before mailing or dropping off original documents.
Official Resources
Texas Secretary of State — Apostille/Authentication of Documents
Official guidance on eligible Texas documents, notarization requirements, and authentication authority.
Texas Secretary of State — Request a Universal Apostille
Official submission methods and processing requirements.
Hague Conference on Private International Law — Apostille Convention
Information about the international apostille system and designated competent authorities.
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. Document eligibility, processing availability, and final acceptance are subject to the appropriate authorities.
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.