Texas
Federal Marriage Record Apostille in Texas
How Texas residents get their Federal Marriage Record authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, what the Texas Secretary of State can and can’t do, timing and price.
Quick answer
Most federal marriage record holders in Texas actually have a state-issued record, which goes to the Texas Secretary of State. Only genuinely federal versions go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Authenticated by
- Depends on the issuer
- Texas apostille office
- Texas Secretary of State, Austin
- Our nearest office
- Houston
- Price
- $299 per document, government fees included
Married in Texas? It’s probably a state record
Marriage certificates issued by a Texas county clerk or the state vital records office are state documents, apostilled by the Texas Secretary of State in Austin — not by the U.S. Department of State. Only consular or federally issued marriage records take the federal route.
Send us a photo before ordering and we’ll tell you which route yours takes.
About the Federal Marriage Record
How to apostille a federally issued or consular marriage record for spousal visas and foreign registration.
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 Marriage Record in Texas — FAQ
Can the Texas Secretary of State apostille my Federal Marriage Record?
Only if it's a Texas-issued record. County and state-issued versions go to the Texas Secretary of State; genuinely federal ones go to the U.S. Department of State.
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.
Related: Federal Marriage Record — 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.