(FAQ) Frequently Asked Questions:

What is an Apostille? (pronounced APO-STEEL)

An Apostille is a type of certification issued on public documents to verify the authenticity of the document’s signature, seal, and the authority of the official who certified it. It confirms that a document was properly issued or certified by a recognized official. Also referred to as a certificate of authentication, an Apostille makes your document legally acceptable in any country that is a member of the 1961 Hague Convention.

This process eliminates the need for further legalization or embassy authentication for documents being used internationally among Hague Convention countries.

The Apostille seal is affixed to your document to certify that it has undergone a standardized process of validation, notarization, and legalization. Although it’s not a notary itself, the Apostille provides international assurance of authenticity and is governed by the rules established in the Hague Convention on Private International Law (October 5, 1961). In practical terms, the Apostille creates legal trust and recognition between international government entities when handling official public documents.

Can I Trust Your Company?

(How do I know I will get my document back?)

We’re proud to be the highest-rated Apostille service provider in Texas.
Check out what our satisfied clients say about us on our HTMN Google Business Page. We’ve built our reputation on fast, secure, and professional document processing.
 

What is the Cost of the Gold Package?

(See Apostille Price Estimate)

There are five main factors that determine the pricing of our Gold Apostille Package:

1. Type of Document
   (e.g., Power of Attorney, Death Certificate, Diploma, Corporate Documents)

2. Destination Country
   (Which country are you sending the document to? e.g., Germany, India)
   Refer to our list of Hague Convention Countries to determine requirements.

3. Document Origin
   (Which U.S. state issued the document? e.g., Texas, California, Florida)

4. Number of Documents
   (Single document vs. multiple documents)

5. Turnaround Time Required
   Government processing typically takes 20–40 business days but our team completes your request a few business days. Need it faster? We offer Rush Options.

Rush Apostille Options

(Diamond Packages Only)

If you need faster service, we offer:

• 5-Day Rush

• 4-Day Rush

• 3-Day Rush

• 2-Day Rush

• 1-Day Rush

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Available for most documents (restrictions apply).
Some federal documents cannot be expedited in 3 days due to government agency limitations.

Factors that impact rush eligibility include:

• Document type (e.g., FBI Background Check vs. Power of Attorney)

• Document origin (Texas documents are processed faster than out-of-state)

• Country of destination (requirements vary)

Contact us to confirm eligibility for rush service.

Normal Completion Timelines

There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline.
On average, local Texas documents in the Gold Package are completed within 6-10 business days but not always.

Mail-in-only service (our most affordable option) may take longer because of transit.

⚠️ Note: Business days do not include holidays and start on the day AFTER we receive the document.
Federal Apostilles and Consulate Legalizations have additional timelines. Call us for personalized timing.

Consulate / Embassy Legalization

We work directly with:

• The U.S. Department of State (Washington D.C.)

• Foreign consulates and embassies located in the U.S.

Our experienced team ensures your documents are processed quickly and correctly, avoiding delays, rejections, or costly mistakes. Don't risk ending up on the wrong side of a government process—let our professionals handle it for you.

Document-Specific FAQs

School Transcripts & Diplomas

To Apostille school records:

• All transcripts must be notarized by the school registrar or the document owner.

• Our notaries can help notarize copies of diplomas or transcripts.

• The receiving country may require notarization by the registrar — check first.

✅ We offer in-person notarization at any school in the Greater Houston Area for a courier fee.

Marriage Certificates

You must obtain your marriage certificate from the county clerk’s office where it was originally issued.

⚠️ All vital records (birth, marriage, death) must be original or certified copies.
Photocopies are not accepted for Apostille services (except for ID copies like passports or driver's licenses).

Birth & Death Certificates

• Order directly from the County Clerk’s Office or VitalChek.

• Do not use unverified online vendors.

• You must have an original or certified copy — not a photocopy.

Tip: Always call the county of origin for the safest and most accurate method of document pickup or mailing.
 

Corporate & Business Documents

Corporate document Apostille services follow a different, more complex process.
Examples include:

• Articles of Incorporation

• Certificate of Status

• EIN letters

• Franchise Tax Documents

• Certificate of Fact

➡️ Please call for a custom quote.
Most Texas business documents must be recently certified before Apostille.

We’ll handle it all for you.
 

The Hague Convention

Apostilles apply only to countries that are members of the Hague Convention.

👉 View the List of Apostille Hague Convention Countries

If the destination country is not a Hague member, we’ll issue an Authentication Certificate, which serves a similar function.
 

Visit Us By Appointment Only

Our Headquarters:
5614 1st Street
Katy, Texas 77493

🕐 By Appointment Only

 

Accepted Payment Methods

• 💵 Exact Cash

• 💳 Credit & Debit Cards (All Brands)

• 🏦 Zelle

• 💌 U.S. Post Office Money Orders

🚫 No personal checks accepted.

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No walk-ins
Appointment Only

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