It is used when the destination country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, a treaty that lets member countries accept one standardized certificate instead of a longer embassy legalization chain.
Other Services
Apostille Certification in Houston
Need apostille Houston filing for a birth certificate, diploma, power of attorney, or company papers? Ship the document. Sam's Passport sends Texas papers to Austin, or to the state that issued them. We are a private expeditor at 1811 Bering Drive, Suite 100, not the Secretary of State's office. Call (713) 784-5501.
Outline
Sam’s Passport Inc. helps Houston clients authenticate Texas public records and notarized documents for use abroad. We review your paperwork, submit to the correct Secretary of State, and return the finished file by FedEx Priority Overnight or UPS Priority Overnight when you need it back quickly.
What is an apostille?
An apostille is a certificate attached to a public document so foreign authorities recognize the signature and seal of the issuing or certifying official.
Countries that are not Hague members usually require a authentication by the U.S. Department of State, and legalization by the foreign embassy or consulate.
Documents we apostille
Common Texas documents we prepare for apostille filing include:
Birth certificatesCertified copies issued by Texas Vital Statistics
Marriage certificatesCertified copies from the county or state registrar
Death certificatesCertified copies from the county or state registrar
Diplomas and transcriptsNotarized copies prepared to Texas Secretary of State standards
Power of attorney (POA)Original notarized POA with a proper Texas acknowledgment
Corporate documentsArticles, certificates of good standing, resolutions, and contracts
For document-specific questions, email notary@samspassport.com before you ship.
How we file
- Intake in Houston
Bring documents to 1811 Bering Drive, Suite 100, or ship FedEx/UPS Priority Overnight. We confirm eligibility, notarization, and destination-country requirements.
- Preparation & state submission
We complete Sam’s Request Form, collect the Texas SOS fee, and submit to the Texas Secretary of State in Austin (or the issuing state when the document was not created in Texas).
- Secretary of State processing
Austin issues the apostille on the original or certified document. Timing depends on the service level you choose.
- Return overnight
Finished documents ship back to you by FedEx Priority Overnight or UPS Priority Overnight using the prepaid label on your request form.
Required documents
Every apostille job should include the original document, ID copies, and a completed request form with the destination country listed.
What to send
Original documentNotarized document with the appropriate acknowledgement / notary statement, or an original Texas certified vital record / court record when no notary is required
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
List the destination country on the request form. Hague countries may need only an apostille; other countries may require additional steps after state certification.
Questions before you ship? Email notary@samspassport.com or call (713) 784-5501.
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 checklist for your destination country.
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 destination-country requirements at (713) 784-5501
Clients nationwide can ship to our Houston office. Drop-off in person is also available at Suite 100.
Common questions about apostille filings in Houston
What is an apostille and when do I need one in Houston?
An apostille certifies a Texas public document or notarized document for use in a Hague Convention country. You need one when a foreign school, employer, court, or government office asks for authenticated U.S. paperwork and accepts Hague apostilles.
Can Sam's Passport apostille any Texas document?
We can file documents issued in Texas or properly notarized by a Texas notary public. Vital records must be certified copies; private documents such as diplomas or POAs must include correct notarial wording. Documents from other states are filed with that state's Secretary of State.
How much does a Texas apostille 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 on Sam's Request Form) plus FedEx postage for submission and overnight return.
What is the difference between an apostille and embassy legalization?
Hague countries accept a single apostille from the Texas Secretary of State. Non-Hague countries usually require state certification, U.S. Department of State authentication, and a final stamp from the destination embassy or consulate.
How long does apostille processing take through Sam's Passport?
Regular service is about 10 working days, rush about 7 working days, and emergency about 5 working days from intake through Austin filing and return shipping. Texas SOS volume and document type 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 destination-country requirements.