If you need a document recognized in another country, it likely requires an apostille — a certificate issued by the Texas Secretary of State that verifies a notarization or official signature is authentic. Gatesville TX Notary handles the full apostille process: notarization, document preparation, and submission to the Secretary of State in Austin.
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is an international certification under the 1961 Hague Convention that authenticates documents for use in over 120 member countries. Instead of going through a lengthy embassy legalization process, an apostille from the Texas Secretary of State is accepted directly by courts, government agencies, and institutions in Hague Convention countries.
Documents That Commonly Need Apostilles
- Birth certificates — for international marriage, dual citizenship, or immigration applications
- Marriage certificates — for spousal visa applications or name changes abroad
- Divorce decrees — for remarriage or legal proceedings in another country
- Power of attorney — granting authority to someone acting on your behalf overseas
- Corporate documents — articles of incorporation, board resolutions, or contracts for international business
- Academic transcripts and diplomas — for study or employment abroad
- Court orders — custody agreements, adoption paperwork, or legal judgments
- Medical records — for treatment or insurance purposes internationally
How Our Apostille Process Works
- Consultation: Call (254) 566-4397 or contact us online. We'll confirm which documents need apostilles and whether they need notarization first.
- Notarization: If the document requires a notary signature before apostille (such as a power of attorney or affidavit), we notarize it at your location in Gatesville, TX or anywhere in Coryell County.
- Submission: We prepare and submit your documents to the Texas Secretary of State in Austin for apostille certification.
- Return: Once the apostille is issued, we return the completed documents to you, ready for international use.
Processing Times
The Texas Secretary of State currently offers:
- Standard processing: 5–7 business days
- Expedited processing: 1–2 business days (additional state fee applies)
- Same-day processing: Available for in-person drop-off at the Austin office (additional state fee applies)
We handle the Austin round-trip and mail-in logistics for you — Gatesville and Coryell County residents don't have to navigate the Secretary of State process on their own.
Who in Gatesville, TX Needs Apostille Services?
Gatesville and Coryell County have a diverse and growing population, and we regularly help residents with international document needs:
- Military families at Fort Cavazos — overseas marriages, foreign adoptions, visa paperwork, and documents headed to a spouse's home country often need apostille certification
- Military families — Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) families stationed nearby who need documents for overseas deployment or PCS moves
- International students — attending Central Texas colleges and universities who need academic documents authenticated
- Business owners — companies doing business internationally that need corporate documents apostilled
- Families with ties abroad — inheritance claims, property sales, marriage registrations, or adoption proceedings in other countries
Apostille vs. Embassy Legalization
If the destination country is not a member of the Hague Convention, an apostille won't be accepted. Instead, the document needs embassy or consular legalization — a longer process that involves authentication by both the Secretary of State and the destination country's embassy. We can notarize and prepare your documents for either process and advise you on which path applies to your destination country.
Get Started with Apostille Services
Call (254) 566-4397 or request an appointment to discuss your apostille needs. We serve Gatesville, Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, and all of Coryell County.