Information verified — Last update: November 12, 2025
If you need to use a Texas birth certificate outside the United States, the document must be authenticated by the Texas Secretary of State with a Universal Apostille. The SOS is the only authority in Texas that issues apostilles/certificates for public documents. This guide gives you the verified steps, forms, addresses, hours, fees, and a rejection-proof checklist—everything in one place, no tabs.
What you'll get on this page: who needs an apostille and why, the exact Texas forms to use (2102/2103), current walk-in hours and contact details in Austin, the correct mailing address, fees (including adoption fee cap), and pro tips straight from state guidance.
People commonly need an apostille for: marriage abroad, study enrollment, work visas, immigration, dual citizenship, international adoption, and other legal procedures requiring official proof of birth outside the US. If you don't have a certified copy, order one from Texas DSHS Vital Statistics (long-form or short-form issued by the state or eligible local offices).
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Not a photocopy. If the record is very old or damaged, consider ordering a fresh certified copy to avoid delays. Order options and record info: Texas DSHS Vital Statistics.
Form 2102 — Request for Universal Apostille (general purposes).
Form 2103 — for international adoption cases.
Be sure to enter the destination country on the form.
For mail-in requests, pay by check or money order (payable to Texas Secretary of State). Credit cards are not accepted by mail (explicitly stated on Form 2102).
Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope or a prepaid carrier label (FedEx/UPS/USPS). No handwritten airbills; keep your tracking number.
Walk-in delivery address: Government Filings Division, Secretary of State, 1019 Brazos, Austin, TX 78701 (walk-in window). Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. CT.
Mailing address: Authentications Unit, Secretary of State, P.O. Box 13550, Austin, TX 78711-3550.
Phone (Authentications): (512) 463-5705 (call hours posted by SOS).
For Hague Convention countries, the universal certificate functions as an apostille; for non-Hague destinations, it serves as a certificate of authentication. If unsure, confirm with the destination authority.
Use the carrier tracking you provided. Processing times vary by volume; walk-in service is subject to posted office hours and workload. (The SOS does not promise specific turnaround times on its website.)
$15
Per document
$10
Per document, capped at $100 per child
These amounts and the cap are set on the SOS site under the universal apostille instructions.
Government Filings Division
Secretary of State
1019 Brazos
Austin, TX 78701
Walk-in hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. CT
Authentications Unit
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 13550
Austin, TX 78711-3550
Authentications Unit phone: (512) 463-5705
Hours: 9:00–12:00 & 1:00–4:00 CT, Mon–Fri
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Get My Custom GuideInformation on this page is provided for convenience and may change. Always verify the latest fees, forms, hours, and addresses on the official Texas SOS and Texas DSHS websites. This is not legal advice.
Updated: November 12, 2025
Reviewed by: Compliance Editor