If you’ve ever needed paperwork signed for official use—whether for school, business, or travel—you might’ve come across the terms notary and apostille in Texas. At first glance, they sound like they might do the same thing. But they don’t. And if you’re in Houston, getting the right one matters depending on where your documents are going.

Notarization is pretty common across Texas. You might need it when buying a house, setting up a power of attorney, or signing legal forms. On the other hand, an apostille is something you only need when your paperwork has to go outside the U.S.—like if you’re moving abroad or sending documents to a foreign government.

This guide will walk you through what both services do, how they differ, and how to get each one in Texas.

Understanding Apostille in Texas

An apostille in Texas is a form of authentication issued by the Texas Secretary of State. It’s used when you need to send public documents abroad. Think of it as a seal that says, “This document is legit—and we’ve checked it out.”

You’ll only need an apostille if the receiving country is part of the Hague Convention of 1961, an agreement that simplifies the process of recognizing foreign public documents. If the country isn’t part of the convention, you might need a different form of authentication (sometimes called legalization), but that’s a separate process.

Here’s an example: Suppose you’re getting married overseas and need to prove you’re not currently married in the U.S. You might be asked to provide a single status affidavit with an apostille in Texas attached. Without the apostille, the foreign government might not accept it—even if it’s notarized.

Some common documents that require an apostille include:

• Birth and death certificates
• Marriage licenses
• Academic transcripts
• Legal affidavits
• Power of attorney forms for international use

The key thing to remember is this: an apostille doesn’t replace notarization. It verifies the authenticity of the notary or government official who signed the document. That’s why many documents need to be notarized first before you can request an apostille.

What Does a Notary in Houston Do?

A notary in Houston is a state-commissioned official who serves as an impartial witness during the signing of important documents. Their job is to deter fraud and confirm that the person signing the document is who they say they are.

You’ve probably seen notaries at banks, shipping centers, or law offices. Some people even offer mobile notary services where they come to your home or office. The role is simple but important: a Houston notary checks your ID, watches you sign, and then stamps or signs the document to make it official.

Here are a few examples of when you might need notary services in Houston:

• Signing a will or trust
• Transferring a vehicle title
• Creating a durable power of attorney
• Completing a real estate transaction

It’s worth noting that notarized documents are typically used within the U.S. If you use the document outside the country, you may still need a notary, but you’ll likely need an apostille as well.

Many people assume that notarization makes a document “internationally valid,” but that’s not the case. It’s more like getting a permission slip from your local school—it works great in town, but it won’t get you into a school in another country without extra paperwork.

Can a Notary Apostille a Document?

One thing that often confuses people is the role of a notary in the apostille process. To clarify: can a notary apostille a document? No, they cannot. Only the Texas Secretary of State can issue an apostille.

However, a notary still plays an important part. While they don’t provide the apostille itself, they can help with certifying your document before it’s sent off for authentication. For example, if you need to verify a signature or confirm that a copy of a document is true and accurate, a notary in Houston can assist with that step.

Think of it this way: the notarization helps confirm the integrity of the document. The apostille then verifies the notary’s authority when the document is going to be used overseas. These are two separate steps, both important but not interchangeable.

So, while the answer to can a notary apostille a document is no, a notary can still be a valuable part of the process, especially when your documents require local certification before international submission.

How to Get an Apostille in Texas

So you’ve had your document notarized—what’s next? If you plan to use that document outside the U.S., you’ll likely need to take the next step: getting an apostille in Texas.

Here’s a quick overview of how the process works:

Step 1: Notarize the Document (If Needed)

Before you can request an apostille, your document must be ready for authentication. If it’s a personal letter, affidavit, or declaration, it typically needs to be notarized first by a notary in Houston. Vital records (like birth or death certificates) often come certified and don’t require notarization.

Step 2: Submit to the Texas Secretary of State

Once your document is ready, you’ll submit it—along with a cover letter and payment—to the Texas Secretary of State’s office. You can do this by mail or in person (if you’re in Austin). Processing times can vary, but most apostilles are handled within a few business days.

Step 3: Receive the Apostille

After review, the office will issue the apostille and attach it to your document. It confirms that the document, or the notary who signed it, is officially recognized under Texas law.

If all this sounds like a hassle, you’re not alone. Many people work with services like Pack and Ship Postal Center to handle the mailing and paperwork. We help customers prepare and send off apostille requests, taking the guesswork out of the process.

Doing a Texas Notary Search — Why It Matters

When you’re in a rush to get documents signed, you might be tempted to Google the nearest notary and call it a day. But doing a Texas notary search is worth the few extra minutes—especially if you’re dealing with time-sensitive or international paperwork.

A quick search helps you find a commissioned notary who is active, reliable, and close to your location. The official Texas Secretary of State website offers a public Texas notary search tool where you can verify whether someone is currently licensed. That’s important because only active notaries are legally allowed to perform notarizations.

If you’re looking for notary services in Houston, your search can also help you compare availability, fees, and even types of services. 

For example, some notaries offer mobile visits or specialize in real estate signings. Others may work out of shipping centers like Pack and Ship Postal Center, where you can get your documents notarized and mailed in one stop.

Here are a few things to check during your search:

• Is the notary’s commission still valid?
• Are they located conveniently in Houston?
• Do they have experience with the type of document you need notarized?

Doing a Texas notary search also helps prevent mistakes. Having your document notarized by someone whose commission has expired could render the entire document invalid—and that’s the last thing you want when submitting legal or international paperwork.

So before heading out, take a few minutes to do a proper search. It can save you a lot of backtracking later.

Getting Help from Pack and Ship Postal Center

Navigating the difference between notarization and apostille services can be a hassle, especially when deadlines are tight and paperwork requirements vary by country. That’s where we come in.

At Pack and Ship Postal Center, we offer trusted notary services in Houston to help you handle important documents with confidence. Whether you need to verify a signature, certify a copy, or prepare a document for international use, our team is here to assist.

We also guide customers through the apostille in Texas process. While we don’t issue apostilles ourselves (only the Secretary of State can do that), we help you take the right steps, such as notarizing your document properly and mailing it to the correct office. 

If you’re looking for a reliable Houston notary or need help understanding the process, we’re happy to help. 

To learn more about our notary services in Houston or how we can help with document preparation for apostille, contact Pack and Ship Postal Center today.