Updated November 2025 — Valid for 2026 • Verified: November 12, 2025
An apostille from the Texas Secretary of State – Authentications Unit certifies the authenticity of the Texas notary's signature and seal (or a Texas public official's signature). It does not validate the legal content of your POA. Texas issues a Universal Apostille that functions for Hague and non-Hague destinations (non-Hague may still require consular steps).
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Ensure a complete Texas acknowledgment or jurat with notary seal, signature, commission number, expiration, venue and date.
Use Form 2102 (Request for Universal Apostille); include destination country, contact info, and your return envelope/label.
Include $15 per document (check/money order payable to Texas Secretary of State). No card by mail; card only in person or per SOS rules.
Mail (USPS): P.O. Box 13550, Austin, TX 78711-3550 (include tracked return). Walk-in/appointment: 1019 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701 (bring ID, payment, originals).
SOS attaches the Universal Apostille to the notary certificate and returns via your selected method.
Texas allows online (RON) notarization, and the SOS can apostille RON documents if:
| Destination | Typical requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spain / Italy / Portugal | Apostilled POA + certified translation | Often for real-estate closings via proxy; many prefer recent POA (< 6 months). |
| Mexico / Colombia / Brazil | Apostilled POA | Check local notarization formality and translation rules. |
| UAE / Singapore | Apostilled POA | For banking/corporate signatory authority; translation usually required. |
| France / Germany | Apostilled POA + sworn translation | Verify local acceptance of RON; paper originals preferred. |
| Item | Fee | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Texas SOS Universal Apostille | $15 per document | Mail: allow ~up to 1 month from receipt (per status). Walk-in: same/next business day depending on volume/appointments. |
| Method | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mail (USPS) | Authentications Unit P.O. Box 13550 Austin, TX 78711-3550 | Include tracked return envelope/label; no credit cards by mail. |
| Walk-in / Appointment | 1019 Brazos St Austin, TX 78701 | See Form 2102 hours (M/W/Th walk-in; T/F appt). Bring ID + payment. |
❌ Rejected: Wrong authority: sending a Texas-notarized POA to the U.S. Department of State
→ Fix: Texas-issued/notarized docs are apostilled by Texas SOS. (Federal docs → U.S. DoS.)
❌ Rejected: Incomplete notary block: missing venue/date/seal/commission
→ Fix: have the Texas notary re-issue a complete acknowledgment/jurat.
❌ Rejected: RON without ledger text: absent online-notarization wording or ledger
→ Fix: include RON ledger + certificate language per SOS guidance.
❌ Rejected: Copies instead of originals: plain photocopies
→ Fix: submit original notarized POA (or notary-certified copy where allowed).
❌ Delayed/Returned: Wrong address/payment: P.O. Box used with courier; card by mail
→ Fix: USPS → P.O. Box; walk-in for card; checks to Texas Secretary of State.
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Get My Custom GuideReviewed by: Amelia Rivera — Compliance Editor, Apostille Pro USA
Updated: November 2025 — Valid for 2026
Change Summary: Verified $15 fee and Form 2102 requirements; confirmed Austin addresses (mail P.O. Box 13550; walk-in 1019 Brazos St.) and walk-in/appointment windows; added RON acceptance + ledger rule; included processing-time banner note and Universal Apostille guidance; expanded eligibility, use cases, and error-fix table.
Next Review Due: May 2026 (earlier if SOS updates forms/fees/addresses).
Reviewer Profile: /team/amelia-rivera