US state guide
Texas birth certificates and apostilles for European citizenship
Almost every citizenship-by-descent application starts with certified Texas records. Here is how to order the right version, get the apostille and avoid the mistakes that cause rejections.
Order a certified long-form certificate
- OfficeTexas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Vital Statistics Section
- Long formCertified Copy - Long Form
- How to orderonline, mail, in person
- Fee per birth certificate$22
Order birth, marriage and death records for every generation in your chain, not just your own.
Get the apostille
- Issued byTexas Secretary of State, Authentications Unit
- Fee per document$15
- How to applymail, in person
- Watch outOrder the DSHS certified copy yourself with 'Apostille' as the reason (DSHS cannot send records to the SOS); certified records must have been issued within the past five years; Form 2102 for mail requests.
Prepare it for your country
Greece
Certified long-form records, each with an apostille, then an official Greek translation.
Translate only after the apostille is attached, by a certified translator or the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs translation service.
Greek citizenship guide →Ireland
Original civil (state-issued) certificates for you, your parent and your Irish-born grandparent.
US documents are in English, so no translation is needed. Check the current Foreign Births Register document guide before ordering apostilles.
Irish citizenship guide →Poland
Certified long-form records with apostilles, translated into Polish by a sworn translator.
Polish authorities require translations by a Polish sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły), done after the apostille.
Polish citizenship guide →Fees and procedures come from official Texas websites and change often. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Consulates that serve Texas
FAQ
How do I get a long-form birth certificate in Texas?
Order a certified copy from Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Vital Statistics Section (online, mail, in person). Note: Certified Copy - Long Form. Ask for the full version that lists both parents, because short-form or abstract copies are usually rejected for citizenship applications.
How do I get an apostille in Texas?
Apostilles for Texas documents are issued by Texas Secretary of State, Authentications Unit, currently $15 per document. Order the DSHS certified copy yourself with 'Apostille' as the reason (DSHS cannot send records to the SOS); certified records must have been issued within the past five years; Form 2102 for mail requests. Check the official page for current fees and processing times.
Do I translate before or after the apostille?
After. The apostille certifies the signature on the original document, so the translation must cover the document and the apostille together.
Which countries' citizenship can these Texas documents be used for?
The same apostilled Texas records are the starting point for Greek, Irish and Polish citizenship by descent, among others. Each country adds its own translation and registration rules.
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