If you’re planning to teach English overseas, go to grad school abroad, or get a work visa, you’re probably going to need your diploma or transcript apostilled. It’s one of the more confusing documents to do, because unlike a birth certificate, a diploma doesn’t have a government official’s signature on it.
So here’s how to apostille a diploma in Texas (and transcripts too), the two ways to go about it, and what to avoid.
First, it has to be from a Texas school
The Texas Secretary of State can only apostille documents connected to Texas. If you graduated from a school in another state, that state handles it. Your diploma from UH, Texas A&M, UT, Katy ISD or any other Texas school works here.
Option 1: Have the school sign it
The Texas SOS apostille guide says school records need a statement and signature from someone at the school who issued them, like the registrar, and that statement gets notarized by a Texas notary.
Basically the registrar signs something saying “this is a true and official record from our school,” a notary notarizes their signature, and the SOS apostilles the notarization.
Some universities have a process for this already. Others will look at you like you have two heads. Call the registrar’s office first and ask if they can sign a statement in front of a notary for apostille purposes.
Option 2: A notarized copy with your own statement
If you can’t get the school to cooperate, the other way is a notarized copy. You (or a parent or guardian, if it’s for a minor) sign a statement saying the attached copy is a true copy of your original diploma or transcript, and you sign it in front of a Texas notary.
That notarized statement is what gets apostilled. It’s a lot easier, but check with the country or school first, because some of them want the school’s signature, not yours.
What the SOS will reject
- A diploma with no notarization at all
- A notary certificate without a proper date, seal or signature
- A photocopy of something that was already notarized
- Wording like “notario publico”
- A notary from another state
That last one matters. The notarization has to be done by a Texas notary for the Texas SOS to apostille it.
Can I do this online?
Yes, in a lot of cases. If you’re doing option 2, you can sign your statement with one of our Texas online notaries from anywhere. The Texas SOS does accept online notarizations for apostille as long as the right paperwork is included. Just keep in mind some countries won’t accept an electronically notarized document, so ask first. I explain more in Can an Online Notarized Document Be Apostilled?.
What about teaching abroad and background checks?
People teaching overseas usually need their diploma and an FBI background check. Just know those go to two different places. The diploma goes to the Texas SOS. The FBI background check is federal, so it goes to the U.S. Department of State. See Apostille vs Authentication for more on that.
Let us handle it
We do diploma and transcript apostilles all the time for clients in Katy, Fulshear, Cinco Ranch and the Houston area. We’ll notarize what needs to be notarized, check everything, and get it to Austin. See our Texas apostille services or call 832-741-3190.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apostille my original diploma?
You can, as long as it’s notarized the right way, usually with a statement from the school official. A lot of people don’t want to send their original though, which is why the notarized copy route is popular.
Do transcripts work the same way?
Yes, the same two options apply. If the place you’re sending it to also wants a sealed transcript, order an extra copy so you have one to use for the apostille.
How much does it cost?
The Texas SOS charges $15 per document. Notary fees and any service fees are separate. See How Much Does an Apostille Cost in Texas?
