What is an apostille?

An apostille is an international certification that verifies the authenticity of a public document so it can be legally recognized in another country. Think of it like a “passport stamp” for your documents. It’s required by countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Which documents need an apostille?

Some of the most common documents that require apostilles include:

• Birth, marriage, and death certificates

• School transcripts and diplomas

If you're using a U.S. vital record abroad for legal, educational, or personal reasons, there's a good chance you'll need an apostille. We currently specialize in birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and diplomas/transcripts.

How long does an apostille take?

Estimated processing begins after all qualifying originals, required information, approvals, and payment are received and accepted. Estimates are not guarantees.

• Standard service:7–10 business days through the Texas Secretary of State.

• Rush service: 3–5 business days depending on SOS workload.

Can you help with both state and federal apostilles?

We currently process Texas state-level apostilles for vital records including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and diplomas. We do not currently process federal apostilles such as FBI background checks or IRS records.

Do you only serve Houston, TX?

We are based in Houston but serve clients across all of Texas. We specialize in document retrieval for Harris, Fort Bend, and Brazoria County, and can process apostilles for Texas vital records statewide. You don't need to be local — we handle everything remotely after your initial inquiry.

Can I submit scanned copies for apostille, or do I need originals?

Some documents must be original certified copies in order to receive an apostille. For example, birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and certain court-issued records can’t be notarized or apostilled from a scan or photocopy. They must come directly from the issuing office (like the county clerk or vital records office).

Are you insured and background-checked?

Yes. Clark Apostille Service is fully insured and background-checked for your peace of mind. We take document security and client trust seriously.

How will I get my completed apostille back?

We ship all completed apostilles back to you using secure, trackable shipping (FedEx, UPS, or USPS Priority). Tracking information will be provided as soon as your documents are on their way.

Can you apostille documents for use in non-Hague countries?

We currently process apostilles for Hague Convention countries through the Texas Secretary of State. If your destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, contact us and we'll let you know the best next steps for your situation.