Houston, TX
NARA Records Apostille in Houston, TX
How Houston residents get their NARA Records authenticated for use abroad — which office handles it, the local details, timing and price.
Quick answer
There’s no federal apostille office in Houston. Federal documents like your NARA Records are authenticated only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. We handle that submission; you send the document by mail.
Key takeaways
- Issued by National Archives and Records Administration; apostilled only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
- Through us: $299 all-in for Hague countries (10–12 business days) or $399 with embassy legalization for non-Hague countries (15–17 business days).
- Do it yourself: Form DS-4194 and a $20 fee per document — processed within 5 weeks by mail, or 7 business days if you drop it off in Washington, D.C.
- County
- Harris County
- Federal court
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- State apostille office
- Texas Secretary of State, Austin
- Our nearest office
- Houston
Why living in Texas doesn’t change the route
This document is issued by National Archives and Records Administration, a federal authority. Federal documents are authenticated only by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — the Texas Secretary of State in Austin has no authority over them, and a state apostille on a federal document will be rejected abroad.
So the process for Texas residents is the same as for anyone else in the country: get the document to us, we hand-deliver it in Washington, and it comes back ready to use.
Houston: the local details
Houston is in Harris County, within the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Texas state documents are apostilled by the Texas Secretary of State in Austin.
About the NARA Records
How to apostille National Archives (NARA) records for citizenship by descent, genealogy and historical proof of status.
Getting it done from Houston
Our Houston office handles Houston orders by phone and online. It’s a processing office and isn’t open to the public, so documents come to us by mail.
| Destination | Route | Our turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | U.S. Department of State apostille | 10–12 business days |
| Non-Hague country | Authentication + embassy legalization | 15–17 business days |
Official sources: National Archives — Order Reproductions · National Archives — Naturalization Records · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · Texas Secretary of State — Apostilles & Authentications · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries) · U.S. Courts — Federal Court Websites.
Texas state documents (birth, marriage, state court, notarized) are apostilled by the Texas Secretary of State, Authentications Unit · 400 West 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701 · (512) 463-5705 · state fee $15. We don’t provide state-level apostilles. Official page (checked October 2026).
How long does the NARA Records apostille take from Houston?
The U.S. Department of State is the only office that issues a federal apostille. Mailed in yourself, it is processed within 5 weeks of receipt; dropped off in person in Washington, D.C., within 7 business days. Through us it takes 10–12 business days, or 15–17 business days for a non-Hague country that also needs embassy legalization.
| Route | How | Processing time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mail it yourself | Form DS-4194 + check to the Office of Authentications, Sterling, VA | Within 5 weeks of receipt | $20 per document + shipping |
| Drop it off yourself | 600 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C. — Mon–Thu, 7:30–9:00 AM, no appointment | Within 7 business days | $20 per document + travel |
| Emergency appointment | Only for a life-or-death family emergency with travel within 2 weeks | Same day | $20 per document |
| Through Federal Apostille USA | We review it, drop it off in D.C. and return it to you with tracking | 10–12 business days total | $299 all-in ($399 non-Hague) |
What does it cost in Houston?
The government fee is $20 per document, paid with Form DS-4194. Our all-in price is $299 per document, covering the government fee, review, D.C. drop-off and U.S. return shipping; non-Hague destinations are $399 with embassy legalization.
Government figures: U.S. Department of State — Request Authentication Services (checked October 2026).
NARA Records in Houston — FAQ
Is there an apostille office in Houston for a NARA Records?
No. The only office that can authenticate this document is the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. We handle that submission for Houston clients by mail.
Do I need to visit an office in Houston?
No. Our Houston office isn’t open to the public — Houston clients order online or by phone, send documents by mail and receive them back by tracked courier.
How long does it take from Houston?
About 10–12 business days for Hague Convention countries and 15–17 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, plus shipping.
How much does it cost?
$299 per document for Hague countries, with government fees and U.S. shipping included; non-Hague destinations are $399 including embassy legalization.
Which federal court covers Houston?
Houston is in Harris County, within the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Related: All documents in Houston · NARA Records in Texas · NARA Records — full guide
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