I Was Born Outside the United States — How Do I Get My Foreign Birth Certificate Notarized in Texas?

By Quantum Notary Solutions | Serving Houston, Richmond & Fort Bend County, TX

If you were born outside the United States and now live in Texas, you may have been asked to provide a notarized copy of your foreign birth certificate. Maybe it is for a job application, a school enrollment, a marriage license, a visa application, or a citizenship process. Whatever the reason, navigating foreign document notarization can feel overwhelming — especially if you are not sure what the process even looks like.

Here is a clear, plain-English breakdown of exactly what you need to do.

First — understand what notarization can and cannot do

A notary cannot verify the content of your foreign birth certificate or certify that it is authentic. What a notary CAN do is certify that a copy of your document is a true and accurate copy of the original, or witness your signature on a statement about the document.

If you need the document to be officially recognized by a foreign government or international agency, you may also need an Apostille — which is a separate process explained below.

Step 1 — Get a certified translation if needed

If your birth certificate is not in English, most US government agencies, courts, and employers will require a certified English translation before the document can be used. The translator must provide a signed statement certifying that the translation is accurate and complete.

The translator's signature on that certification statement can then be notarized — which is often what agencies are actually asking for when they say they need a notarized translation.

Step 2 — Notarize the copy or the translation

Bring your original foreign birth certificate and the certified translation to a notary. The notary can certify that the copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original document you presented. If the agency requires the translator's certification to be notarized, bring the translator's signed statement as well.

Make sure you bring a valid government-issued photo ID to your notary appointment.

Step 3 — Determine if you need an Apostille

An Apostille is a special government certification that authenticates a document for use in another country. If your document needs to be recognized by a foreign government — for example, if you are applying for dual citizenship or submitting documents to a foreign embassy — you will need an Apostille in addition to notarization.

In Texas, Apostilles are issued by the Texas Secretary of State's office. The document must first be notarized, then submitted to the Secretary of State for the Apostille stamp.

What if my original birth certificate is still in another country?

If your original birth certificate is located in another country, you have a few options. You can request a certified copy from the vital records office in your country of birth — many countries allow you to do this by mail or online. Once you receive the certified copy, you can then proceed with notarization and translation in Texas.

Alternatively, if you need to notarize documents that you will send back to your home country, a Remote Online Notary (RON) can help you complete the process without leaving Texas.

📍 Need a notary in the Greater Houston/Richmond, TX area? Quantum Notary Solutions is mobile and remote — we come to you. Call or text us today to schedule your appointment.