Apostille Map

Texas Apostille: $15 Fee, Address & Processing Times (2026)

Updated 2026-10-12

The Texas Secretary of State's Authentications Unit issues apostilles (Texas calls them universal apostilles) for Texas public documents and Texas-notarized documents used abroad. The fee is $15 per document. By mail, expect about two weeks after the office receives your request. In person in Austin, you can get same-day service. Below are the exact steps, the address, payment rules, and the mistakes that cause rejections, checked against sos.texas.gov in October 2026.

Texas apostille at a glance

Details
Issuing officeOffice of the Texas Secretary of State, Authentications Unit
Fee$15 per document (not per page). Adoption: $10 per document, max $100 per adoption.
FormForm 2102, Request for Universal Apostille (Form 2103 for adoptions)
Mailing addressTexas Secretary of State, Authentications Unit, P.O. Box 13550, Austin, TX 78711-3550
In-person address400 West 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701 (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Mon–Fri)
Mail processingUp to about two weeks from receipt, first come, first served (can vary with volume)
Walk-inSame day, Mondays and Fridays, max 10 documents
AppointmentSame day, Tuesdays–Thursdays (appointment required), max 10 documents
Bulk drop-off (10+ documents)Processed within 72 hours
Contact(512) 463-5705, authentications@sos.texas.gov

Which documents Texas can apostille

The Texas SOS apostilles original Texas-issued documents, Texas-issued certified copies (such as birth, death, and marriage records and court documents), and original documents notarized by a Texas notary public. It doesn't apostille photocopies of certified or notarized records. Certified records must have been issued within the past five years to be eligible. Federal documents like FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, and IRS letters go to the U.S. Department of State instead. Certified copies of business filings and certificates of fact from the SOS are handled by the Certifications team (corpcert@sos.texas.gov). Texas doesn't apostille documents for use within the United States.

How to get an apostille in Texas by mail

  1. Get the right document: an original or recently issued certified copy from the Texas agency or county that holds the record, or a document properly notarized by a Texas notary.
  2. Fill out Form 2102 (Request for Universal Apostille). Name the country where the document will be used.
  3. Pay $15 per document with a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank, payable to the Office of the Texas Secretary of State, or provide your SOS client account number. Include the payment amount and your full address.
  4. Include a prepaid, pre-addressed return envelope or carrier label. The office won't use labels that bill the sender.
  5. Mail everything to: Texas Secretary of State, Authentications Unit, P.O. Box 13550, Austin, TX 78711-3550.
  6. Track your package. If it has been at the office for more than two weeks, call (512) 463-5705 with your check number, tracking number, and the submitter name from Form 2102.

Mail vs walk-in vs appointment vs courier

OptionSpeedLimits / notes
MailAbout 2 weeks after receiptCheapest if you're not near Austin. Mailed requests won't be pulled for walk-in service.
Walk-in (Mon & Fri)Same dayMax 10 documents, waits can exceed an hour. Pay by check, money order, card, or exact cash.
Appointment (Tue–Thu)Same dayOne appointment per person or company per day, max 10 documents.
Bulk drop boxWithin 72 hoursFor more than 10 documents. Register the drop-off with the QR system.
Courier / expediterOften a few business days including shippingUseful if you can't get to Austin. Adds a service fee on top of the $15 state fee.

Common reasons Texas apostille requests are rejected

  1. Sending a photocopy, or a certified copy issued more than five years ago.
  2. A notarization that's incomplete or by a non-Texas notary.
  3. Sending a federal document (like an FBI background check) to the Texas SOS.
  4. Leaving the destination country off Form 2102.
  5. A check missing the amount, your address, or a signature, or an unpaid balance from a previous request.
  6. A return label that bills the sender, or no return envelope at all.

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FAQ

How much does an apostille cost in Texas?
$15 per document (not per page). Apostilles for international adoptions are $10 per document, with a maximum of $100 per adoption.
How long does a Texas apostille take?
Mailed requests can take up to about two weeks from the day the office receives them. Walk-ins (Mondays and Fridays) and appointments (Tuesdays–Thursdays) in Austin get same-day service for up to 10 documents. Bulk drop-offs are processed within 72 hours.
Where do I mail documents for a Texas apostille?
Texas Secretary of State, Authentications Unit, P.O. Box 13550, Austin, TX 78711-3550. Include Form 2102, payment, and a prepaid return envelope.
Can Texas apostille a photocopy?
No. Texas apostilles original Texas-issued documents, Texas-issued certified copies issued within the past five years, and original Texas-notarized documents. It doesn't apostille copies of certified or notarized records.
Can the Texas Secretary of State apostille an FBI background check?
No. FBI background checks are federal documents, so the U.S. Department of State apostilles them. See our FBI background check apostille guide.
Is this legal advice?
No. Requirements can change, so verify on sos.texas.gov before you file.

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