Search “apostille cost” and you’ll see everything from a $15 state fee to agency packages approaching $600 for one document. Both numbers are real. The difference is what’s included: who drives to Austin, who checks the document before it’s rejected, how fast it comes back, and who pays the shipping.
Here is what an apostille actually costs a Houston customer in 2026, with every fee laid out so you can choose.
Want a firm price for your document? Call 832-530-3652, request a quote, or walk in at 6124 Hwy 6 N in west Houston.
Government Fees (What Every Route Pays)
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Texas Secretary of State apostille | $15 per document (not per page) |
| Texas adoption documents | $10 per document, capped at $100 per adoption |
| U.S. Department of State (federal documents and non-Hague chains) | $20 per document |
| FBI Identity History Summary (if you need the check itself) | $18 |
| Texas certified birth certificate (Texas Vital Statistics) | $22 |
| Notarization (Texas legal maximum) | $10 for the first signature |
So a do-it-yourself Texas apostille starts at $15, and an FBI check with an apostille starts at $38 in government fees.
The Real Cost of Doing It Yourself from Houston
- In person in Austin: about 330 miles round trip from Houston. At the IRS business mileage rate that is roughly $250 in driving cost, plus a full day off work and parking. Walk-ins are Mondays and Fridays only, appointments Tuesday through Thursday. See our Texas apostille 2026 guide.
- By mail: at least two weeks after the state receives it. Add trackable postage both ways; the Secretary of State does not pay for or track your return shipping.
- The hidden cost is a rejection. An old certified copy, an incomplete notary certificate or a document from the wrong state comes back unprocessed, and the clock restarts.
What Agencies Charge
Many online apostille agencies don’t publish prices. Among those that do (prices seen October 31, 2026):
| Provider | Published price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| APVI (national) | $299 / $399 / $599 for Texas personal records (10-day / 5-day / 24-hour) | State fee and shipping extra |
| One Source Process (national) | $175 / $225 / $275 | State fee and shipping extra |
| International Apostille | “As low as $75” | Free overnight return advertised |
| Houston Fingerprint (local, west Houston) | $155 per Texas document; $299 expedited | Government fee and return shipping included; document checked before filing |
When you compare, ask every provider the same four questions:
- Is the $15 state fee included?
- Is return shipping included, and is it tracked?
- Do you check my document before it’s submitted?
- What happens, and what does it cost, if the state rejects it?
Extra Costs to Plan For
- A new certified copy if yours is more than five years old.
- Notarization for powers of attorney, affidavits and consent letters ($10 in our office).
- Translation if the receiving country requires it. Our certified translation is $65 per document. See our certified Spanish translation.
- Embassy legalization for non-Hague countries such as the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait: State Department fees plus embassy fees. See our embassy legalization page.
- Rush fees, which can add $50 to $300 at many agencies.
Which Option Makes Sense?
- One document, no deadline, comfortable with forms: mail it yourself.
- Already going to Austin: walk in on a Monday or Friday, or book a Tuesday–Thursday appointment.
- Deadline, several documents, or you also need notarization, fingerprints or translation: a local service that checks documents first usually costs less in the end than a rejection, and you can drop off and pick up in Houston.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an apostille in Texas?
The Texas Secretary of State charges $15 per document. Services that handle the submission charge a service fee on top or, like us, include the state fee in one price.
Why do some companies charge $500 or more?
Mostly for speed: same-day or 24-hour handling, couriers and overnight shipping.
Is an FBI apostille more expensive?
The government fees are $18 for the FBI check and $20 for the U.S. Department of State apostille, and it takes longer because it’s handled federally. Our package with fingerprints, the FBI check and the federal apostille is $250. See our FBI apostille service.
Get a Clear Price
See our full pricing page, request a quote, or call 832-530-3652. Our office at 6124 Hwy 6 N serves Katy, Cypress, Sugar Land, the Energy Corridor and all of Houston, and you can also mail documents from anywhere in the U.S.
Prices seen October 31, 2026 and subject to change. Confirm with each provider.
Related Services and Guides
- Texas apostille services in Houston
- Texas apostille 2026: walk-in days and appointments
- FBI background check apostille