How to Apostille a Birth Certificate in Texas (Austin Guide for 2025)

When life takes you across borders, your paperwork has to keep up. If you or your child were born in Texas and need to use that birth certificate abroad—for dual citizenship, school, marriage, or immigration—you’ll need a Texas apostille.

An apostille is an international certification that verifies your Texas birth certificate as genuine for use in countries that recognize the Hague Apostille Convention. Without it, your document might not be accepted by foreign authorities.

Below is a step-by-step guide to get your Texas birth certificate apostilled quickly and correctly—without getting lost in bureaucracy.

Step 1: Get a Certified Texas Birth Certificate

You’ll need an original, certified copy—not a scan or photocopy. It must come from either:

• The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), or

• The county clerk’s office where the birth was registered.

Make sure your certificate has the raised seal and the registrar’s signature. This proves it’s eligible for authentication.

Order online at the DSHS Vital Records site, by mail, or in person.

Step 2: Confirm Eligibility for Apostille

Before submitting your document, double-check that:

• It’s a certified copy issued by DSHS or a Texas county registrar.

• It includes the registrar’s original signature (not a copy).

• It was issued after 2000 (older versions may need reissuance).

If your birth certificate doesn’t meet these requirements, request a fresh certified copy before proceeding.

Step 3: Submit to the Texas Secretary of State

Hand carry or mail your certified copy to the Texas Secretary of State Authentication Unit in Austin. Include:

• The Apostille/Authentication Request Form

• A check or money order for the current state fee ($15 per document)

• A self-addressed return envelope

You can also use a trusted Austin-based apostille service to handle the process for you—especially if you’re out of state or on a deadline.

Step 4: Wait for Processing (or Skip the Line)

Processing time with the Secretary of State can take up to 5 weeks. If you’re in a rush, Texas Apostille Doc offers same-day document drop-off and pickup in Austin with overnight shipping worldwide.

Step 5: Use Your Apostilled Birth Certificate Abroad

Once you receive your apostille, attach it to your birth certificate and keep both together. The apostille certifies your document’s authenticity for official use in any Hague Convention country.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting a photocopy instead of a certified original

• Missing the registrar’s signature

• Forgetting the fee or request form

• Using outdated certificates

A small error can delay your plans, so double-check everything before mailing.

Final Thoughts

Getting a birth certificate apostilled in Texas doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right documents and a local Austin expert handling the details, you can get it done quickly and confidently.

Need help? Texas Apostille Doc offers same-day apostille processing right here in Austin.

Visit our Apostille page to get started today.