Texas
Federal Court Documents Apostille in Texas
How Texas residents get their Federal Court Documents authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the Texas Secretary of State can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
There is no federal apostille office in Texas. Federal documents like your Federal Court Documents are authenticated only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — the Texas Secretary of State can’t apostille them. We handle the Washington submission; you send the document by mail.
- Authenticated by
- U.S. Department of State
- Texas apostille office
- Texas Secretary of State, Austin
- Our nearest office
- Houston
- Price
- $299 per document, government fees included
Federal courts in Texas
Federal court records from Texas come from the following courts (bankruptcy courts sit within the same districts):
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
Request a certified copy from the clerk of the district that issued your judgment, order or filing — a PACER printout won’t be accepted. The certified copy is then authenticated by the U.S. Department of State, not the Texas Secretary of State. Records from Texas state courts are different: those go to the Texas Secretary of State.
About the Federal Court Documents
How to apostille federal court documents — judgments, orders, and clerk-certified filings from U.S.
What the Texas Secretary of State can do
The Texas Secretary of State in Austin issues apostilles for documents signed by Texas officials — birth, death and marriage certificates from Texas registrars, Texas state-court records, and documents notarized by Texas notaries. It has no authority over federal documents such as FBI reports, USCIS certificates or IRS letters.
State offices set their own procedures and fees, so confirm current requirements with the office before submitting a state document.
Getting it done from Texas
We have an office in Texas: Houston. Most clients still send documents by mail — it’s the fastest route to Washington.
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | U.S. Department of State apostille | 10–12 business days |
| Non-Hague country | Authentication + embassy legalization | 15–17 business days |
Serving Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth and everywhere else in Texas.
Federal Court Documents in Texas — FAQ
Can the Texas Secretary of State apostille my Federal Court Documents?
No. This is a federal document, so only the U.S. Department of State can authenticate it. A state apostille on it would be rejected abroad.
Do I have to travel to Washington, D.C. from Texas?
No. We handle the Washington submission for you. Most Texas clients send their documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from Texas?
About 10–12 business days for Hague Convention countries and 15–17 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, plus shipping.
How much does it cost?
$299 per document for Hague countries, with government fees and U.S. shipping included; non-Hague destinations are $399 including embassy legalization.
Which federal court covers my Texas case?
Texas is covered by: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas; U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas; U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. Request the certified copy from the clerk of the district that issued it.
Related: Federal Court Documents — full guide · All documents in Texas · Federal vs. state apostille
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.