Documents We Review for Apostille and Authentication
Use this document directory to identify records our team can review for apostille, authentication or legalization support. Eligibility varies by record, issuing authority, destination and intended use. For local assistance, visit Texas Apostille Services in Houston. For current certificate terminology, read what the Texas Universal Apostille means.
Document review recommended: Requirements vary by document type, issuing authority and destination country. Send us a scan before submitting or mailing originals.
Get a Document-Specific Eligibility Review
Requirements vary according to the issuing authority, current document format, destination country and intended use. Our team reviews each request privately before recommending service options. Similar documents may require different handling, so we do not use a one-size-fits-all checklist.
What We Review Before Quoting
Our private document review considers:
- The document type and issuing authority
- Whether the document is eligible in its current form
- The destination country and intended use
- Whether specialized handling or additional review may apply
- Available service and return-delivery options
Send us a clear scan or bring the document to our Houston office. After reviewing it, we will explain the service options, estimated turnaround time and total quote.
List of Documents That Can Be Apostilled
Common eligible documents include certified birth, marriage, death and court records; diplomas and transcripts; powers of attorney; corporate records; employment letters; and other documents that meet the correct certification or notarization requirements. Use the categories below, or read our detailed guides for birth certificates, diplomas and transcripts, powers of attorney and business documents.
POPULAR APOSTILLE GUIDES
Detailed Help for Common Documents
Choose a document type for requirements, frequently asked questions, and a direct quote request.
Birth Certificate Apostille
Texas and eligible out-of-state certified birth records.
Marriage Certificate Apostille
Certified marriage records issued in Texas or another state.
FBI Background Check Apostille
Federal apostille and authentication guidance for FBI reports.
Diploma & Transcript Apostille
Academic document preparation and apostille guidance.
Vital Records & Civil Status (Texas Certified Copies)
- Birth Certificate (Texas certified copy)
- Marriage Certificate / Marriage License (Texas certified copy)
- Death Certificate (Texas certified copy)
- Divorce Decree (certified court copy)
- Name Change Order (certified court copy)
- Adoption-related court orders (certified where eligible)
- Certificate of No Record / No Marriage Record letters (Texas-issued)
Best for: dual citizenship, marriage abroad, international registration, family visas.
Diploma and Transcript Apostille Services
- Diplomas (high school, college, university)
- Official Transcripts (sealed transcript procedures vary)
- Enrollment / Attendance Verification letters
- Graduation verification letters
- Degree verification / registrar certification letters
- Teaching certificates / educator documents
- Training & continuing education certificates
- Letters of recommendation (if notarized)
Tip: Many school records must be notarized in Texas or properly certified before a Texas apostille. Review our diploma and transcript apostille guide before requesting records from your school.
Notarized Personal Documents (Texas Notary)
- Power of Attorney (general, durable, medical)
- Affidavits (single status, residency, identity, financial support, etc.)
- Sworn statements / declarations
- Consent letters (child travel consent, parental consent, guardianship consent)
- Permission letters for minors (school travel, relocation, sports)
- Authorization letters (pick-up, representation, release)
- Invitation letters (if notarized)
- Notarized letters (employment, support, accommodation, etc.)
These are apostilled by verifying the Texas notary commission and signature.
Business & Corporate Documents (Texas SOS / Notarized)
- Certificate of Fact / Certificate of Status (Texas Secretary of State)
- Certificates of Formation (LLC/Corporation) – certified copies
- Amendments, conversions, mergers – certified copies
- Dissolution / termination documents – certified copies
- Assumed name (DBA) filings – certified copies (as applicable)
- Corporate resolutions (often notarized)
- Operating agreements / bylaws / partnership agreements (if notarized)
- Contracts, agreements, authorizations (if notarized)
- Invoices / packing lists / letters of authorization (if notarized)
Best for: international business registration, banking abroad, overseas expansion.
Legal, Court & Government Records (Texas Certified Copies)
- Certified court orders and judgments
- Certified copies of pleadings (where the court provides certification)
- Probate documents (letters testamentary/administration – certified)
- Civil case dispositions (certified)
- Other Texas agency letters or records (when properly certified/notarized)
Note: Court documents must be court-certified (not just photocopies).
Real Estate & Property Documents
- Deeds (certified copies from county clerk or properly notarized originals)
- Warranty deeds / quitclaim deeds
- Deed of trust / mortgage documents (if notarized)
- Property affidavits (if notarized)
- Lease agreements (if notarized)
- Title-related affidavits (if notarized)
We’ll confirm whether your destination country requires certified copies, notarization, or both.
Family, Estate & Financial Documents
- Affidavit of heirship (notarized)
- Guardianship documents (certified court copies)
- Trust documents (often notarized)
- Bank letters / financial support letters (if notarized)
- Retirement / pension letters (if notarized)
- One-and-the-same person affidavits / name discrepancy affidavits
Employment & HR Documents – Needs to be Notarized
- Employment verification letters
- Experience letters
- Offer letters
- Professional reference letters
- Letters of good standing / conduct
Common for: overseas employment, work permits, visa applications.
Medical & Insurance Documents – Needs to be Notarized
- Medical authorization letters
- Medical letters
- Insurance letters / certificates
- Disability letters
Note: Some medical providers will issue certified records; otherwise a Texas-notarized statement may be used.
Travel & Identity Documents (When Accepted)
- Notarized copy of Passport (destination-country dependent)
- Notarized copy of Driver’s License / State ID (destination-country dependent)
- Notarized proof of identity / address letters
- Child travel consent letters (notarized)
- Custody orders (certified court copies)
We’ll confirm whether your receiving agency accepts an apostilled notarized copy versus the original.
Documents Requiring a Separate Eligibility Review
- Federal documents (for example, FBI background checks and federal court records) typically require a federal apostille. See our FBI background check apostille guide.
- Out-of-state documents (e.g., a California birth certificate) generally must be apostilled by the issuing state.
- Uncertified vital records or court documents (photocopies without official certification).
- Documents with incorrect or incomplete notarization (missing notary wording, stamp/seal, date, venue, etc.).
Not sure what you have? Send us a photo/scan and we’ll tell you the fastest compliant option.
FAQ – Texas Apostille Requirements
Can you apostille a copy of a document?
Sometimes. Vital records and court documents usually require an official Texas certified copy, not a plain photocopy. Some personal, academic and business documents may qualify after proper Texas notarization, depending on the document and the receiving authority.
Can you apostille documents issued outside Texas?
Usually, out-of-state documents must be apostilled in the state where they were issued.
In some cases, a Texas-notarized affidavit or statement about the document may be used if the receiving country accepts it.
What if my destination country is not in the Hague Apostille Convention?
Non-Hague countries typically require authentication (and sometimes additional embassy/consulate legalization).
We review the destination and receiving-authority details before presenting service options.
How do I know if I need apostille or authentication?
The certificate category depends on the destination, document origin and receiving-authority instructions. Contact us for an individual eligibility review.
MORE APOSTILLE GUIDES
Help for Complex and Frequently Requested Documents
Use these guides to review document-specific eligibility questions before requesting a quote.
Texas Universal Apostille
Understand the single Texas certificate used for Hague and non-Hague destinations.
Death Certificate Apostille
Certified Texas or out-of-state death records for estates, burial and other use abroad.
Divorce Decree Apostille
Certified court copies for remarriage, immigration and civil-status matters overseas.
Out-of-State Apostille Services
Private eligibility review for vital records and other documents issued outside Texas.
Power of Attorney Apostille
Guidance for properly notarized powers of attorney intended for international use.
Business Document Apostille
Corporate records, certificates of formation, agreements and commercial documents.
Authentication and Legalization
Review authentication and legalization terminology for Hague and non-Hague destinations.
Mail-In Apostille Service
Nationwide document review with private handling and tracked return options for accepted requests.
Apostille Help in Houston
Learn what information we review before accepting a walk-in or mail-in request.
Request a Document Review
Send the document details and destination country so our team can evaluate your request.