Whether your document goes through a Texas Secretary of State apostille or a longer consular attestation chain depends on a single question: is the receiving country a member of the Hague Apostille Convention?
Hague members: apostille only
For Hague Convention countries (India, Mexico, the United Kingdom, most of Europe, and many others), a single apostille issued by the Texas SOS is sufficient. The receiving authority accepts it directly. Typical timing is 7 to 10 business days through the standard SOS queue.
Non-Hague countries: full chain
For Non-Hague countries (Pakistan, China, the UAE, and several others), the authentication chain is longer:
- Notarization (for personal documents)
- Texas SOS authentication (not an apostille; an authentication certificate)
- US Department of State authentication in Washington, D.C.
- Consular attestation at the receiving country's Embassy or Consulate
Each step has its own timing and fees. We coordinate the entire chain.
Country routing reference
Below is a working reference for common destinations we route from Texas. Country requirements change; we confirm current routing and timing at the time of submission.
| Destination | Hague? | Final authentication |
|---|---|---|
| India | Yes | Texas SOS apostille |
| Mexico | Yes | Texas SOS apostille |
| United Kingdom | Yes | Texas SOS apostille |
| Brazil | Yes | Texas SOS apostille |
| Germany, France, Spain, Italy | Yes | Texas SOS apostille |
| Australia | Yes | Texas SOS apostille |
| Pakistan | No | TX SOS → US DOS → Pakistan Embassy / Consulate (custom quote) |
| China | No | TX SOS → US DOS → China Embassy / Consulate (custom quote) |
| UAE | No | TX SOS → US DOS → UAE Embassy (custom quote) |
| Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam | No | Consular chain (custom quote) |
| Other countries | Varies | We confirm routing on intake |
Non-Hague routing involves additional fees from US DOS and the receiving consulate. Timing varies. We provide a custom quote before starting work.
FBI federal background checks
FBI Identity History Summary documents (background checks) are federal records and are apostilled by the US Department of State, not the Texas SOS, even when you live in Texas. We handle this routing.
Common pitfalls
- Assuming all countries accept an apostille. Many do not.
- Sending a non-Hague document to the Texas SOS as "apostille" (it returns as authentication).
- Missing the consular step entirely, then having the document rejected abroad.
- Submitting expired or older-than-required vital records.
Not sure which path your document needs?
Tell us where the document is going and what it is. We'll confirm the right routing and timing.
Request a quote →Educational content only. Not legal advice. Country requirements change; we will confirm current requirements at the time of your submission.