Last Updated: November 12, 2025 | Valid for 2025–2026
If you were married in Texas and need to present your marriage certificate abroad, you must obtain a Universal Apostille from the Texas Secretary of State (SOS). This guide—updated for 2025 and valid for 2026—reflects the most current SOS procedures, forms, and fees. The SOS is the only authority in Texas that issues apostilles or authentication certificates for public documents.
You may need an apostille on your Texas marriage certificate if you are:
The document must have been issued in Texas by a county clerk or the Texas DSHS Vital Records office. Documents from other states must be apostilled there.
| Issuing Authority | Texas Secretary of State — Authentications Unit (SOS Contact Page) |
| Certificate Type | Universal Apostille (acts as apostille or authentication depending on destination country) |
| Fee (2025) | $15 per document |
| Adoption-related Docs | $10 per document, max $100 per child |
| Forms | Form 2102 (Universal Apostille Request) / Form 2103 (Adoption) |
| Walk-In Hours | Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m. CT |
| Walk-In Address | 1019 Brazos St., Austin, TX 78701 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 13550, Austin, TX 78711-3550 |
| Phone (Authentications) | (512) 463-5705 (9 a.m.–12 p.m. & 1 p.m.–4 p.m. CT) |
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Get a certified copy of your marriage certificate from your county clerk or the Texas DSHS Vital Records office. Photocopies or scans are not accepted. (DSHS Vital Records)
Use Form 2102 for standard requests or Form 2103 for international adoption cases. Clearly print the destination country—this decides whether the certificate is an apostille or authentication. (SOS Forms)
Mail payments by check or money order payable to Texas Secretary of State (no credit cards by mail).
Add a self-addressed stamped envelope or prepaid carrier label (UPS, FedEx, USPS). No handwritten airbills; keep the tracking number.
Mail to: Authentications Unit, P.O. Box 13550, Austin, TX 78711-3550
Walk in: Government Filings Division, 1019 Brazos St., Austin, TX 78701
Hours: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m. CT
Mail requests take up to 25 business days depending on volume; walk-ins are faster but queue-dependent. You will receive the original certificate with the Universal Apostille attached.
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Get My Custom GuideThis page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Always verify the latest requirements on official Texas SOS and DSHS websites.
Last Updated: November 12, 2025 | Valid for: 2025–2026 period
Reviewed by: Compliance Editor — Apostille Pro USA