Texas Notary Verbiage for Apostilles — What You Need to Know
One of the most common reasons the Texas Secretary of State rejects apostille requests is incorrect or missing notary wording.
Even if the signature and stamp look official, your document can’t be apostilled unless it includes the proper Texas notarial certificate.
What Does “Notary Verbiage” Mean?
“Notary verbiage” refers to the exact legal wording a notary must include when notarizing a document.
In Texas, that means choosing the correct certificate type — usually a Jurat or an Acknowledgment — and writing or attaching it properly.
Without that text, the Secretary of State has no way to confirm that a valid notarial act took place.
That’s why generic statements like “Signed and sealed before me” or missing fields such as State of Texas, County of [Name] cause instant rejections.
Texas Apostille-Approved Notary Wording
The State of Texas accepts two primary formats for apostilles:
1️⃣ Jurat (Sworn Statement)
Used when the signer swears or affirms a statement is true.
State of Texas
County of [Name]Sworn to and subscribed before me on this [day] of [month], [year],
by [Name of signer].Notary Public, State of Texas
2️⃣ Acknowledgment (Signature Verification)
Used when the signer confirms they signed willingly and understood the document.
State of Texas
County of [Name]Before me, on this [day] of [month], [year], personally appeared [Name of signer],
who acknowledged executing the above document for the purposes stated therein.Notary Public, State of Texas
Certified Affidavits for Apostille
When original records cannot be notarized directly, such as medical test results, lab reports, or academic documents, a Certified Affidavit is often required.
In this case, the individual swears before a notary that the attached document is a true and unaltered copy of the original.
This sworn statement (jurat) is what the Texas Secretary of State can apostille — not the lab report or record itself.
For example:
“I, [Full Name], do hereby swear that the attached laboratory test results are true and accurate copies of the originals.”
This process allows private or sensitive documents — such as medical reports, paternity test results, or professional licenses — to be authenticated for international use without violating privacy or record release laws.
Why Apostilles Get Rejected
Documents are commonly rejected for:
Missing “State of Texas” or “County of” lines
Notary signature without printed name
Using the wrong notarial act (e.g., acknowledgment instead of jurat)
Digital notarizations without verifiable seal or certificate
Trying to apostille private records without a certified affidavit
Prevent Rejection Before You Ship
Before sending any notarized document for apostille processing, confirm the notarial certificate matches Texas formatting and the correct affidavit is attached (if required).
At Clark Apostille Services, I review each document for exact Texas compliance before courier submission — ensuring it’s accepted the first time.
