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Apostille Services in Houston

Even the tiniest mistake when preparing and coordinating your Houston apostille paperwork can quickly lead to setbacks with costly consequences for your plans abroad. At One Source Process, our professional Houston apostille service helps to eliminate these concerns by providing speed, security, and compliance throughout the process, from initial review to delivery.

Standard
$175
  • 4-14 business days
  • 10 business days
Rush
$225
  • 1-3 business days

    Not including shipping and fees charged by embassies or the Secretary of State.

    Some states do not offer expedited processing.

Same Day
$275
  • 24 hours

    Not including shipping and fees charged by embassies or the Secretary of State.

    Some states do not offer expedited processing.

*Not including shipping and fees charged by embassies or the Secretary of State
*Some states do not offer expedited processing

Support through document issues

If your document gets rejected, you won't have to handle it alone. We:

  • Review the reason for rejection
  • Assist with fixing the issue
  • Guide you through the next steps

If necessary, we'll resubmit your documents so the process stays on track.

Why Houston Documents Are Apostilled in Austin

While Houston may be the largest city in the Lone Star State, it is not the administrative center, which means that documents are apostilled in the capital, Austin. With our apostille and legalization services, the team understands Texas apostille requirements like these and has the legal and practical expertise to manage even complex or time-sensitive cases.

The Texas Secretary of State Authentications Unit

The only agency that can issue a Texas apostille for Houston residents and others across the state’s 254 counties is the Texas Secretary of State’s Authentications Unit in Austin.

No Apostille Office in Houston—What That Means

Given that Houston does not have a permanent apostille office, in-person submissions generally require a trip to Austin. For many Houston locals, this is too time-consuming and inconvenient to be a feasible option.

Harris County Certified Copies

Certain local records, including marriage certificates and divorce decrees, may need to be obtained as certified copies from the appropriate Harris County office rather than through a state agency.

How Our Houston Apostille Process Works

Apply online
Submit our form online and calculate an estimated cost immediately. We will also review a scan of your documents for any errors and let you know ASAP if additional steps are required.
Send us your documents
No need to make an appointment or go to a physical location. Just mail us your documents through a secure tracked shipping service (FedEx, DHL, or UPS). In some cases we may not even need the physical copy!
Receive your documents
Once completed, your apostilled/legalized documents will be shipped to you via FedEx or DHL and will arrive at your doorstep. Whether in the US or Worldwide, we’ll get your important documents to you wherever you may be.

Place an order to calculate your cost or talk to our experts

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Filing Through the Austin Office

The Texas Secretary of State’s Authentications Unit in Austin accepts Houston apostille applications by mail, courier, or in person through walk-in service or appointment. Because the office is located in the state capital, using a courier can often be the more convenient option for Houston residents.

We specialize in delivering speed and precision for clients statewide, from Houston to those using our Austin apostille service.

Nationwide Legal & Document Services

Apostille Services Available in Houston

From birth certificates and background checks to powers of attorney, our expert team can handle the full array of Houston apostille services for documents intended for use in Hague Apostille Convention countries, with unmatched convenience and professionalism.

Houston Birth Certificate

These records are primarily used overseas to prove your identity to foreign authorities, companies, and institutions. If you need to apostille a birth certificate in Houston, Texas, the certificate must have been issued within the past five years. Frequent needs for a Houston birth certificate apostille include:

  • Residency and immigration applications
  • Employment
  • Education
  • Marriage
  • Adoption

Houston Marriage Certificate

Authenticating proof of your marriage for use in another country may be necessary for a range of legal purposes. A Houston marriage certificate apostille is commonly required for:

  • Dual nationality requests
  • Immigration filings
  • Spouse visa petitions

Texas Background Check

From visa applications and adoption to employment, many international situations require criminal history information through a Houston background check apostille. Importantly, FBI background checks cannot be apostilled in Texas and must be handled at the federal level.

Diplomas and Transcripts

Whether studying abroad or exploring foreign work opportunities, employers and educational institutions frequently require apostilles for your Houston diploma, transcripts, and other academic credentials before recognizing them for official use.

Power of Attorney

As private documents, powers of attorney generally require proper notarization before they can be authenticated for international use. Houston power of attorney apostilles are often needed for:

  • Selling or managing property abroad
  • Opening or operating a foreign bank account
  • Being represented in a foreign court
  • Registering or running a foreign company
  • Handling an inheritance in another country

Single Status Affidavit

If you plan to get married overseas, you will likely first need a Houston single status affidavit apostille to prove you are legally allowed to marry.

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Scanned Copies and Photocopies

Submitting a scan or ordinary photocopy instead of the required original, certified copy, or properly notarized document is one of the five most common apostille mistakes. The Texas Secretary of State will not authenticate documents that are not submitted in the required format.

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Where to Order Your Houston Records

Before submitting your Houston apostille paperwork, you first need to obtain the underlying record from the correct issuing authority. Here’s a quick overview:

  • Birth certificates: The City of Houston Bureau of Vital Statistics for eligible Houston records, the appropriate local or county vital records office, or Texas DSHS Vital Statistics for births anywhere in Texas.
  • Marriage certificates: Harris County Clerk’s Office.
  • Divorce decrees: Harris County District Clerk’s Office.
  • Background checks: The appropriate Texas state or local law enforcement authority, depending on the type of criminal history record required.
  • Diplomas and transcripts: The issuing school, college, or university.
  • Powers of attorney and single status affidavits: These are generally prepared as private documents and properly notarized rather than ordered from a government agency.

Nationwide Legal & Document Services

Need an Apostille for Your Houston Documents?

No matter what documents you need for a Houston apostille or how fast you need them, our dedicated specialists can deliver them efficiently and without complications. To reduce risk and take the stress out of this important part of your international plans, contact us today and leave the legwork to our experienced team.

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FAQ

Is there an apostille office in Houston?

Can I get a same-day apostille in Houston?

Do Harris County documents need county certification first?

Can you apostille an FBI background check in Houston?

Ask us anything!

Our CEO Brandon Yoshimura and Director of Operations Danny Koo.

Ask us anything!

    CEO Brandon Yoshimura (left) and Director of Operations Danny Koo (right) outside of our office in Washington, DC.