If you searched “Texas apostille walk-in” and found an old address or old hours, you are not alone. The Texas Secretary of State changed how apostilles work in person in 2026: a new office address in Austin, walk-ins only on Mondays and Fridays, appointments Tuesday through Thursday, and a one-day Houston pop-up in August that many people heard about too late.
This guide puts the current rules in one place, compares every way to get a Texas apostille from Houston, and lists the document problems that get requests rejected.
Don’t want to drive to Austin? We handle Texas apostilles from our office at 6124 Hwy 6 N, Houston. Call 832-530-3652 or request a quote.
What Changed in 2026
- New address: in-person service is now at 400 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701.
- Walk-ins: Mondays and Fridays only. No appointment needed, but the state warns waits can exceed an hour. Limit 10 documents and two people per group.
- Appointments: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only, booked online. One appointment per person or company per day, up to 10 documents.
- More than 10 documents: a bulk drop box, Monday through Friday, registered by QR code, with processing within about 72 hours.
- Houston pop-up: on August 26, 2026, the state held its first-ever satellite apostille event in Houston, by appointment only. As of October 31, 2026, no second Houston date has been announced.
The state fee is still $15 per document (not per page), or $10 per adoption document, capped at $100 per adoption.
Every Way to Get a Texas Apostille from Houston
| Option | Days | Typical time | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk-in, Austin | Mon and Fri | Same day, after the wait | Up to 10 documents, flexible schedule |
| Appointment, Austin | Tue–Thu | Same day | Up to 10 documents, fixed plan |
| Bulk drop box, Austin | Mon–Fri | About 72 hours | More than 10 documents |
| By mail | Any | At least 2 weeks after the state receives it, plus shipping | No deadline |
| Houston Fingerprint handles it | Drop off in Houston | Standard or expedited | Busy people, deadlines, document checks |
Austin is roughly a three-hour drive each way from most of Houston, before traffic. A same-day trip means a full day off work, gas and parking. By mail, the Secretary of State does not keep tracking numbers and asks people to wait two weeks before calling about a request.
Doing It Yourself: Step by Step
- Check that Texas is the right office. Texas only apostilles Texas documents: records issued by Texas offices and documents notarized by a Texas notary. FBI background checks and other federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State instead (see our FBI apostille guide). Documents from other states go to that state.
- Get the right copy. Vital records such as birth, marriage, death and divorce records must be certified copies issued within the last five years. Older certified copies cannot be apostilled. A photocopy of a certified copy is never accepted.
- For notarized documents, bring the original with a complete Texas notary certificate.
- Fill out Form 2102 (Request for a Universal Apostille), or Form 2103 for adoptions.
- Choose your method: walk in Monday or Friday, book a Tuesday–Thursday appointment, use the bulk drop box, or mail it.
- Pay: $15 per document. In person, the office takes check, money order, card or exact cash. By mail, use a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank.
Why Texas Rejects Apostille Requests
- Certified copy is more than five years old. Order a new one from Texas Vital Statistics or the county clerk.
- A notary “certified” a copy of a birth certificate. Texas notaries cannot certify copies of recordable documents like birth or marriage records. You need a certified copy from the issuing office.
- The document isn’t from Texas. Out-of-state and federal documents go elsewhere.
- Incomplete notary certificate, such as a missing seal, missing commission date or the signer’s name left out.
- Translations missing pieces. A translation needs a notarized translator’s statement attached to the original or a copy of the translated document.
- Payment problems, like a personal check missing required details.
“Universal Apostille” and Countries That Need More
Since October 2023, Texas issues one universal apostille certificate for every country. If your country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, such as Mexico, India, China, Canada or Vietnam, that one certificate is usually all you need. If it isn’t, such as the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait or Egypt, the document needs extra authentication at the U.S. Department of State and then the country’s embassy. See our embassy legalization page.
Will There Be Another Houston Pop-Up?
The August 26, 2026 event at the TxDOT office on Washington Avenue was appointment-only, required payment 72 hours in advance, and only accepted documents that were already Texas-issued or Texas-notarized. The state called it the first time the service was offered at a satellite location. As of October 31, 2026, no second date has been announced. We will update this post if one is.
Or Let Us Handle It
We check your documents before they go to the state, which is where most rejections are caught, and handle the submission so you don’t take a day off for Austin. Our Texas apostille is $155 per document, with an expedited option at $299. See our pricing page. Need it notarized or translated first? We do that in the same visit.
Request a quote, book a visit, or call 832-530-3652.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk in to the Texas Secretary of State for an apostille?
Yes, on Mondays and Fridays at 400 W. 15th Street in Austin. Tuesday through Thursday is appointment only.
How much does a Texas apostille cost?
The state fee is $15 per document, or $10 per adoption document. Services that handle it for you charge more.
How long does a Texas apostille take by mail?
At least two weeks after the state receives your request, plus shipping time both ways.
Can Texas apostille my FBI background check?
No. FBI checks are federal documents and are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. See our FBI apostille service.
My birth certificate copy is from 2018. Can it be apostilled?
No. Texas only apostilles certified copies issued within the last five years. Order a new certified copy first.
Rules can change. Check the Texas Secretary of State’s website before you travel. Information current as of October 31, 2026.
Related Services and Guides
- Texas apostille services in Houston
- Diploma apostille in Houston
- Apostille for Mexico
- Birth certificate translation