Records for Foreign Governments (Apostille)

An apostille is the authentication of the seals and signatures of officials listed on public documents, such as birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, issued by a foreign country.  

Examples of situations where a birth certificate apostille could be required include:

• Transferred by an employer to a foreign country
• Wanting to marry in a foreign country
• Adopting a child in a foreign country

Examples of situations where a death certificate apostille could be required include:

• Burying a deceased family member in a foreign country
• Settling an estate of a deceased family member in a foreign country

How to Request an Apostille

1. Request a certified copy of the required birth or death record and indicate "Apostille" as the reason for the request.  For instructions on requesting certified records, see the Birth Records and/or Death Records pages. For certified marriage/divorce records, contact the local registrar in the county where the event occurred.
2. Upon obtaining the certified document, send it to the Texas Secretary of State's office with the required fee for an apostille.  Visit the Texas Secretary of State's website for further instructions, including the required fee and locations.

Note: The Department of State Health Services—Vital Statistics Section cannot process fees for the apostille.