This certificate is the first step in the authentication chain for non-Hague countries. Hague Convention members accept a single apostille instead. If your destination is not a Hague member, the document moves next to the U.S. Department of State for federal authentication, then to the embassy or consulate for final legalization.
Other Services
Certificate of Notary — Texas Secretary of State Filing from Houston, TX
Need a certificate of notary Houston filing for a document heading overseas? Sam's Passport submits your notarized paperwork to the Texas Secretary of State and returns the certified file by overnight shipping.
Outline
Sam’s Passport Inc. files certificates of notary with the Texas Secretary of State for Houston clients who need a notarized document certified for use abroad or domestically. We review notarization, submit to Austin, and return the certified original by FedEx Priority Overnight.
What is a certificate of notary?
A certificate of notary is a state certification confirming that the notary public who witnessed a signature holds a valid Texas commission. The Texas Secretary of State in Austin is the only office that can issue it.
Documents that need a certificate of notary
Non-recordable documents must be notarized before the Texas Secretary of State can certify them. Common examples:
Power of attorneyOriginal notarized POA with a proper Texas acknowledgment
Diplomas and transcriptsNotarized copies — the notary certifies the copy, then the state certifies the notary
Affidavits and declarationsSworn statements notarized by a Texas notary public
Corporate documentsBoard resolutions, bylaws, contracts, and articles notarized in Texas
TranslationsNotarized translations prepared by a certified translator
Letters and receiptsBusiness correspondence or financial documents notarized for overseas use
Recordable documents (birth, marriage, death, divorce) go directly to the Secretary of State without a separate notary step. If you are unsure which path your document needs, call (713) 784-5501.
Certificate of notary vs apostille
Both are issued by the Texas Secretary of State, but they serve different destination types:
Certificate of notaryFor non-Hague countries. First step before U.S. State Dept authentication and embassy legalization.
ApostilleFor Hague Convention countries. One certificate, no further steps needed.
The Texas Secretary of State now issues a universal apostille that works as both. Sam’s Passport confirms which path your destination country requires.
How we file from Houston
- Intake in Houston
Bring documents to 1811 Bering Drive, Suite 100, or ship FedEx/UPS Priority Overnight. We check notarization format and destination-country requirements.
- Review notarization
We verify the notary acknowledgment meets Texas Secretary of State standards. Incorrect wording is the most common reason for rejection.
- Submit to Austin
We send the document to the Texas Secretary of State with the $15 fee and Sam’s Request Form.
- Return overnight
The certified document ships back to you by FedEx Priority Overnight.
Required documents
Each certificate of notary job should include the items below. Call (713) 784-5501 if you are unsure about notarization wording.
What to send
Original notarized documentThe document with a proper Texas notary acknowledgment, signature, seal, and date
Passport copyA color copy of the applicant’s passport information pages
Driver licenseA copy of the applicant’s driver license
Sam's Request FormCompleted Sam’s Request Form with destination country listed
The notary acknowledgment must include the notary’s printed name, commission number or expiration date, signature, and seal. Missing any element can cause rejection in Austin.
Fees & processing time
Fees are charged per document. Out-of-state filings follow that state’s fee and timeline.
Texas Secretary of State fee
$15 per document — paid to the Texas Secretary of State for the certificate of notary or universal apostille.
Sam's Passport service fee
Pricing from Sam’s Request Form:
Regular$150About 10 working days per document
Rush$200About 7 working days per document
Emergency$250About 5 working days per document
Download the latest fees: Sam’s Request Form (PDF)
FedEx postage
$45 — Priority OvernightFedEx Priority Overnight to and from the Secretary of State
$100 — First OvernightFedEx First Overnight for the fastest return
Ship your documents
Please use FedEx Priority Overnight or UPS Priority Overnight to ship your documents to Sam’s Passport Inc. Call before you ship so we can confirm the notarization format is correct.
Houston office
What to include
Completed request formInclude your completed Sam’s Request Form
Copies of IDPassport information pages and driver license copies
Return labelA prepaid overnight label for return delivery when required
Call before you shipConfirm notarization format at (713) 784-5501
Clients nationwide can ship to our Houston office. Walk-in drop-off is also available at Suite 100.
Common questions about certificate of notary filings in Houston
What is a certificate of notary and when do I need one?
A certificate of notary is a Texas Secretary of State certification confirming that the notary who witnessed a signature holds a valid commission. You need one when a non-Hague country requires state-level certification before federal authentication and embassy legalization.
Is a certificate of notary the same as an apostille?
Both are issued by the Texas Secretary of State. Texas now issues a universal apostille that serves both purposes. The difference is in what comes next: Hague countries accept the apostille alone, while non-Hague countries require additional federal and embassy steps after the certificate.
How much does a certificate of notary cost?
The Texas Secretary of State charges $15 per document. Sam's Passport adds a service fee ($150 regular, $200 rush, or $250 emergency per document) plus FedEx postage for submission to Austin and overnight return.
What notarization format does the Secretary of State require?
The notary acknowledgment must include the notary's printed name, commission number or expiration date, signature, official seal, and date of notarization. Documents with missing elements are rejected in Austin.
How long does processing take?
Regular service is about 10 working days, rush about 7, and emergency about 5 from intake through Austin filing and return shipping. Texas SOS volume can extend those estimates.
Can I mail documents from outside Houston?
Yes. Clients nationwide ship to our Houston office by FedEx or UPS Priority Overnight. Include Sam's Request Form, ID copies, and call (713) 784-5501 before shipping so we confirm notarization format.