How to Apostille a Birth Certificate in Texas
Share
You need a certified copy issued by Texas Vital Statistics or the county clerk, submitted to the Texas Secretary of State with form 2102 and $15. Two things cause most rejections: using the decorative hospital certificate instead of the certified copy, and having the certificate notarised. A birth certificate must not be notarised — doing so can invalidate it.
Last updated: 1 August 2026 · Written by Atikur Rahman, commissioned Texas Notary Public
Which copy you actually need
| Document | Accepted? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy from Texas Vital Statistics | Yes | Bears the State Registrar's signature and seal |
| Certified copy from the county clerk | Yes | Bears the county clerk's signature and seal |
| Hospital "souvenir" certificate | No | Decorative, often with footprints. Not a legal record |
| Photocopy of a certified copy | No | The seal must be original |
| Notarised copy | No | Notarising a vital record can invalidate it |
| Abstract or short form | Sometimes | Many countries require the long form. Check first |
The steps
- Order a certified copy. From Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics, or the county clerk where the birth was registered. Order the long form unless you know the short form is accepted.
- Check the signature is recent. Some countries will not accept a certificate whose registrar signature is more than a few years old. If yours is decades old, order a fresh certified copy.
- Do not notarise it. Ever. It is already a certified government document.
- Complete form 2102, naming the destination country. The apostille is issued for a specific country and the wrong one means starting again.
- Submit to the Texas Secretary of State with the fee — $15 per document at time of writing.
How long it takes
By mail, budget around ten business days plus postal time. In person at the Austin office, same-day service has historically been possible, though appointment rules and queue times change — check current arrangements before travelling.
Ordering the certified copy itself adds time, and that step is frequently forgotten in planning. If you are working to a visa or wedding deadline, start there.
Common reasons it is rejected
- The hospital souvenir certificate was sent instead of the certified copy
- The certificate was notarised
- The destination country was omitted from form 2102, or the wrong country named
- A photocopy was sent rather than an original certified copy
- The registrar signature is too old for the receiving authority
- The short form was sent where the long form was required
- The destination is not a Hague Convention country, so consular legalisation is needed instead
If you need a translation
Some countries require a certified translation attached. Order of operations matters and varies by country — some want the apostille on the original with the translation attached afterwards, others want the translation notarised and apostilled too. Confirm with the receiving authority before paying for anything.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apostille a birth certificate from another state in Texas?
No. An apostille must come from the state that issued the document. A California birth certificate goes to California.
How long is the apostille valid?
It does not expire, but many receiving authorities will not accept one issued more than three to six months earlier. Check what the requesting body expects.
Do I need the original or can I keep it?
The apostille is attached to the certified copy you submit, and that copy goes to the destination. Order a spare for your own records.
What about a child's certificate for dual citizenship?
Same process. Consulates commonly require a recently issued certified copy, so order fresh rather than using one from the birth.
Can you do this for me?
Yes. We handle the full process at $90 per document with a one to two business day turnaround for Texas documents.
Where to go from here
See our apostille service, or read how much an apostille costs in Texas. For a federal document such as an FBI background check, the route is different — see how to apostille an FBI background check. If a private document needs notarising first, see jurat vs acknowledgement and notary services.
General information about process and fees, not legal advice. Fees and processing times change; confirm current figures with the Texas Secretary of State and Texas Vital Statistics before relying on them.