City guide · Austin, Texas · Details last checked Oct 30, 2026

Austin, Texas document errands: printing, fax, notary, passports and certified copies (2026)

Where to print, fax, notarize, apply for a passport and get certified copies in Austin, using only official and provider pages. Each fact links to its source. Some facts are statewide or national rather than local. We label those.

Printing, copying, scanning and fax

Austin Public Library

• Printing and copying: every location except the Austin History Center has black-and-white print/copy machines; prints and copies are $0.20 a page, and there's no color. The machines take bills and coins and give change. You can pay for printing by credit card, but copying needs cash unless you go to the Check Out desk first ^[10].
• From library computers: print jobs are $0.20 a page, black and white only, released from any Self Service Station and saved for 48 hours. Cash over $5 is paid at the Circulation Desk ^[15].
• Scanning: free, in color or black and white, to a USB drive at all library locations; the scanner bed takes up to tabloid (11" x 17") or A3 ^[10].
• Fax: the library doesn't have fax machines ^[10].

• The UPS Store: it lists 31 locations in Austin; see its city page for addresses and phone numbers. That page says they offer packing, shipping, printing, shredding, notarizing, faxing and mailbox services ^[16]. We didn't find prices on the store pages; The UPS Store's site says products, services, prices and hours may vary by location ^[17].

See printing prices and fax prices.

Notary in Austin

• Austin Public Library: $10 for one or two signatures per document, by appointment only. It does acknowledgments and oaths or affirmations for papers up to 15 pages. It won't notarize wills or other legal papers, money or financial papers, copies of IDs or vital records, passport forms, real estate papers or papers in another language, and it accepts only U.S. IDs ^[18][1]. Book through the library's Qless appointment link on the notary page, the same system used for passports; the passports page says appointments show for the next three days only ^[18][1]. The notary page doesn't list locations ^[18]. The passport locator notes notary service on site at the Yarborough and Spicewood Springs branches ^[11].
• The UPS Store: its Austin page lists notarizing ^[16]. We didn't find store notary prices; the Texas maximums are below.
• Fee limits (statewide): Government Code § 406.024 lets a Texas notary charge up to $10 for taking an acknowledgment or proof of a deed or other instrument for the first signature and $1 for each additional signature, $10 for administering an oath with a certificate and seal, $10 for a certificate under seal not otherwise provided for, $1 a page for a copy of a record, and $10 for a notarial act not otherwise provided for. The section says the Secretary of State adjusts these amounts for inflation every five years; we didn't find published adjusted amounts, and the Secretary of State's notary pages returned "not found" when we checked on Oct 30, 2026 ^[13]. The Secretary of State says a notary may charge less or nothing, and an employer may decide what an employee notary charges ^[19].
• Online notarization (statewide): under § 406.111, an online notary may charge up to $25 for an online notarization on top of any other fee allowed ^[13].
• What notaries can't do (statewide): a Texas notary can't certify a copy of a birth certificate or a marriage license, and a notary who isn't a lawyer can't advertise as a "notario publico" ^[19][13].

Passports in Austin

The U.S. Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Locator data lists 16 facilities with an Austin address, and lists 11 of them as taking photos on site ^[11]:

• Post offices: the locator says to schedule a passport appointment or check other acceptance times at usps.com ^[11].
• Austin Public Library: appointments only, no walk-ins, booked online up to three days ahead (not by phone or email). Offices are at the Central Library (710 W. César Chávez St., 2nd Floor, Room 207; 512-974-9639), Spicewood Springs and Yarborough; the library lists the Ruiz Branch Passport Office as temporarily closed, with no reopening date ^[1][20], though the Ruiz Branch itself (1600 Grove Blvd.) is open ^[21]. The federal locator still lists Ruiz Branch Library as an acceptance facility with no closure note ^[11], so check with the library before you go. The library charges a $35 acceptance fee and $18 for photos, by card, check or money order (no cash) ^[1]. The locator lists the Central Library and Ruiz without on-site photos, but the library's page says each facility offers photos ^[11][1].
• Travis County District Clerk: 5325 Airport Blvd., 1st Floor (walk-ins 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.), 1700 Guadalupe, 3rd Floor, Room 3.100 (appointments only), and a satellite office at 8110 N FM 620 Road (appointments only, no cash). The fee is $35 per application, plus $14 if the office takes your photo; cards add $3. Phone 512-854-4295 ^[7]. The locator lists the District Clerk offices without on-site photos ^[11].
• Texas Global Passport Services: the locator lists 2400 Nueces St., Suite B (512-232-5899), with photos on site ^[11].
• Post office fees (national): a $35.00 acceptance fee and a $15.00 photo fee "if needed" ^[22].
• Faster service (national): the State Department's 1–3 business day return delivery is $26.87, for passport books only ^[23].
• State Department fees (national): for a first passport or other in-person (DS-11) application, the application fee for an adult (16 and older) is $130 for a book, $30 for a card or $160 for both; for a child under 16 it is $100, $15 or $115. A $35 acceptance fee is paid separately to the acceptance facility, and expedited service is $60 more ^[23].

See the passport checklist and passport photo prices.

Birth, death, marriage, court and recorded-document copies

Birth and death certificates: Texas Vital Statistics (statewide)

• State fees (statewide): Texas Vital Statistics (DSHS) charges $22 for a birth certificate (long or short form), $60 for an heirloom birth certificate, $20 for the first death certificate and $3 for each additional copy, and $20 to verify a marriage or divorce. Expedited processing is $25 and is shipped overnight. Paying by card in person in Austin adds $2.25 ^[24].
• By mail (statewide): send a notarized application, a copy of your ID and a check or money order ^[25] to Texas Vital Statistics, Department of State Health Services, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. Its phone number is 888-963-7111, Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. ^[26].
• Local offices (statewide): local registrars and county clerks also issue certificates. DSHS says, "Counties, cities, and districts set their own hours of operation, fees, and procedures for requests" ^[27]. The local offices for this city are below.
• County clerk fee in state law (sources differ): Local Government Code § 118.011(a)(5) lists "Birth or Death Certificate (Sec. 118.015) same as state registrar," and § 118.015(a) says the county clerk's fee for a certified copy of a birth or death certificate "is the same as the fee charged under Subchapter C, Chapter 191, Health and Safety Code, by the state registrar of vital statistics and the local registrar of births and deaths" ^[28]. That reads differently from the DSHS line above. We don't say which governs; call the county clerk to confirm its fee before you order.

Birth and death certificates: City of Austin Office of Vital Records

• Where: 7201 Levander Loop, Building C, on the Betty Dunkerley Campus next to the Animal Center. Open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; walk-in applications are taken until 4:15 p.m., and most certificates are ready within 30 minutes ^[12].
• Which records: long form certificates for births and deaths inside Austin's full purpose city limits, and abstract certificates for births anywhere in Texas ^[12].
• Fees: birth certificates are $23 each; death certificates are $21 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Cash, exact money order, personal check or card in your name. VitalChek online and phone orders add processing and shipping fees ^[12].

Older records: Travis County Clerk

• The County Clerk isn't the local registrar for all birth and death certificates. It has Travis County births and deaths from 1903–1956, by mail: $22 for a certified birth certificate and $20 for a death certificate. For births and deaths outside Austin but in Travis County, it points you to the Justice of the Peace court for the area ^[5]. State law and DSHS describe county clerk certificate fees differently; see “County clerk fee in state law” above, and call the clerk to confirm.

Marriage licenses: Travis County Clerk

• Fee: $80, or $20 with a completed premarital education course (Texas Twogether) certificate shown when the license is issued. The informal (common-law) declaration is $45 ^[3]. Since April 1, 2026, a $100 fee is added if neither applicant can prove Texas residency ^[29].
• How: both applicants appear together at the Civil Family Courthouse, 1700 Guadalupe St., 4th Floor, Suite 4.300. There's a 3-day waiting period, waived with a premarital course certificate, among other exceptions, and the license expires if it isn't used before the 90th day. Phone 512-854-9188 ^[3].
• Copies: a certified copy of a marriage license is $6, and a plain copy is $1 ^[4].
• Waiting period (statewide): Texas has a 72-hour wait between issuing a license and the ceremony. It doesn't apply to active-duty military or Department of Defense employees, if a judge waives it, or if you completed a premarital education course within the past year. A license expires if the ceremony isn't held within 90 days ^[30].
• Twogether in Texas (statewide): the state's official Twogether in Texas site, run by Texas Health and Human Services, says completing its 8-hour premarital course waives the $60 state portion of the marriage license fee and the 72-hour waiting period when you show the original certificate of completion to the county clerk. Counties may add up to $22 in local fees, which aren't waived. The certificate is good for one year ^[31][32]. What the course costs depends on the provider: some are free and others charge for materials. Find a registered provider, including online and no-cost options, on the site's Search Providers page ^[32][33].

Recorded documents: Travis County Clerk

• Recording fees: $25 for the first page and $4 for each additional page ^[4].
• Copies: plain copies are $1 a page, and certified copies are $5 plus the cost of the copies. Self-serve photocopies are $0.20 a page ^[4].

Court records: Travis County District Clerk

• Online: public court records can be viewed online at no cost; official, certified physical copies are requested from the office ^[6].
• Fees: paper copies are $1 a page, certified or not; the certificate and seal are $5; electronic copies of electronic documents are $1 for up to 10 pages and $0.10 a page after that; a records search is $5 ^[34].

Clerk copy fees (statewide)

• District clerks (statewide): Government Code § 51.318 sets district clerk fees. A certified copy is $5 for the certificate and seal plus, for each page, $1 printed on paper, $1 for a paper document converted to electronic format, or, for an electronic copy of an electronic document, $1 for up to 10 pages and $0.10 for each page over 10. A noncertified copy is $1 a page on paper or converted to electronic format, or $1 for an electronic document up to 10 pages and $0.10 for each page over 10. A records search is $5 ^[35]. Section 51.606 says no fee may be charged just to look at records ^[35].
• County clerks, recorded records (statewide): Local Government Code § 118.011 sets county clerk copy fees. A certified copy (§ 118.011(a)(3)) is $5.00 for the clerk's certificate plus, for each page or part of a page, $1.00 printed on paper or $1 for a paper document converted to electronic format; an electronic copy of an electronic document is $1 for each document up to 10 pages and $0.10 for each page or part of a page over 10. A noncertified copy (§ 118.011(a)(4)) is $1.00 a page printed on paper or $1 a page converted to electronic format; an electronic copy of an electronic document, except real property records, is $1 for each document up to 10 pages and $0.10 for each page over 10 ^[28]. Fees for certified and noncertified copies must be paid when the order is placed (§§ 118.014, 118.0145) ^[28].
• Per page or per document? (sources differ): Local Government Code § 118.014(a) says the "Certified Papers" fees "are for the county clerk's certificate that shall be placed on each page or part of a page, and a fee for copying each page or part of a page," and the § 118.011(a)(3) schedule lists "(A) for the clerk's certificate $ 5.00" ^[28]. Two county clerk fee pages list the $5 per document: Bexar County, "Certification Fee, Per Document $5.00" ^[36], and Dallas County, "Additional if you request a certified copy $5.00 per document" ^[37]. We don't say which reading is right; call the county clerk to confirm the total before you order.
• County clerks, other copy rules (statewide): a clerk may waive or reduce the noncertified copy fee for a family law document, including a divorce decree, or the record of a misdemeanor judgment (§ 118.0145(b)). A copy in a format other than paper, including real property records, is charged under Government Code §§ 552.231 and 552.262 (§ 118.011(e)). A certified birth or death certificate costs the same as the state registrar charges (§ 118.015). Anyone may read, examine and copy from the records without paying a charge, under the clerk's reasonable rules, during office hours (§ 118.024) ^[28].
• County court records (statewide): for county court case records, § 118.052(3) sets the same amounts: certified copies $5.00 for the certificate plus $1.00 a page on paper ($1 a page converted to electronic; $1 per electronic document up to 10 pages, then $0.10 a page), noncertified copies $1.00 a page, and $5.00 to search files when the docket number is not provided. Section 118.066 says no fee may be charged for examining a paper or record ^[28]. County clerks can add fees allowed elsewhere, so each county clerk's own fee page, above, shows the total it charges.

Apostilles (statewide)

• Who: the Texas Secretary of State is the only office that issues apostilles for Texas public documents. It doesn't apostille federal documents, and it doesn't apostille documents meant for use inside the United States ^[38][8].
• Fee: $15 per apostille, or $10 per document for adoption-related documents, with a $100 maximum ^[14].
• In person in Austin: Authentications Unit, 400 West 15th Street, Austin, (512) 463-5705, Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Same-day service is limited to 10 documents. Tuesday–Thursday are by appointment; Monday and Friday are walk-in, with waits that can be over an hour. More than 10 documents go in the drop box, with about a 72-hour turnaround. Pay by check, money order, card or exact cash ^[8].
• By mail: about 2 weeks. Send Form 2102 naming the country, with a check or money order payable to the Office of the Texas Secretary of State. Certified vital records must have been issued within the past 5 years, and photocopies aren't apostilled ^[8]. See the apostille guide.

More on certified copies: how to get a certified copy.

Money orders

USPS money order fees are national: $2.65 for $0.01 to $500.00, and $3.75 for $500.01 to $1,000.00. Pay with cash or a debit card, not a credit card. The limit is $1,000 per domestic money order ^[39]. Other sellers: money order guide.

Shredding

• City list: Austin Resource Recovery lists local places that shred documents for a fee or take already-shredded paper, and says to call the business to confirm. Its Recycle and Reuse Center, 2514 Business Center Drive (512-974-4343, appointments required), takes shredded paper for recycling in paper bags but doesn't shred on site ^[40].
• Events: Travis County describes an Annual Free Shred Day at the Travis County Central Booking parking lot, free for residents, with up to five bankers boxes of paper ^[41]. We didn't find a 2026 date, and we didn't find a City of Austin shred event.
• The UPS Store: its Austin page lists shredding ^[16]. We didn't find prices.

For paid per-pound shredding, see where to shred documents.

Questions

Sources

Sources last checked Oct 29 or Oct 30, 2026, as marked on each, except the locator data file.

1. Austin Public Library, "Passport & Notary Services": library.austintexas.gov/passports (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
2. Austin Public Health, "Office of Vital Records": austintexas.gov/health/programs/office-vital-records (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
3. Travis County Clerk, "Marriage License": countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/departments/recording/marriage-license (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
4. Travis County Clerk, "Recording Fee Information": countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/departments/recording/fee-information (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
5. Travis County Clerk, "Birth and Death Records": countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/departments/recording/vital-stats (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
6. Travis County District Clerk, "Case Information, Records and Public Information Requests": traviscountytx.gov/district-clerk/case-information-records (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
7. Travis County District Clerk, "Passport": traviscountytx.gov/district-clerk/passport (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
8. Texas Secretary of State, "Requesting an Apostille or Certificate": sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/request.shtml (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
9. City of Austin, City Clerk, "Petitions": austintexas.gov/clerk/petitions (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
10. Austin Public Library, "Ask Us: Does the Library have copiers, scanners, fax machines, or typewriters?": library.austintexas.libanswers.com/faq/214815 (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
11. U.S. Department of State, Passport Acceptance Facility Locator (locator data file, downloaded Oct 28, 2026, filtered to Texas): passportfacilitylocator.travel.state.gov (last checked Oct 28, 2026)
12. City of Austin, Austin Public Health, "Get a birth or death certificate": austintexas.gov/services/get-birth-or-death-certificate (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
13. Texas Legislature, "Government Code Chapter 406. Notary Public; Commissioner of Deeds" (Texas Statutes): statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.406.htm (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
14. Texas Secretary of State, "Authentications FAQs": sos.state.tx.us/authfaqs.shtml (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
15. Austin Public Library, "Using Library Computers": library.austintexas.gov/eng/node/7741257 (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
16. The UPS Store, "The UPS Store Locations in Austin, Texas": locations.theupsstore.com/tx/austin (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
17. The UPS Store, "Notary Services Nationwide": theupsstore.com/store-services/notary-services (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
18. Austin Public Library, "Notary Services": library.austintexas.gov/node/7758585 (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
19. Texas Secretary of State, "Notary Public Frequently Asked Questions": sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/faqs2300.shtml (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
20. Austin Public Library, "Ruiz Branch Passport Office (temporarily closed)": library.austintexas.gov/node/1734941 (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
21. Austin Public Library, "Ruiz Branch": library.austintexas.gov/ruiz-branch (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
22. USPS, "Passports": usps.com/international/passports.htm (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
23. U.S. Department of State, passport fees page (Last Updated March 19, 2026): travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/fees.html (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
24. Texas Department of State Health Services, "Vital Statistics Costs and Fees": dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics/costs-fees (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
25. Texas Department of State Health Services, "Requirements for Mail and In-Person Orders": dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics/check-order-status/requirements-mail-person-orders (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
26. Texas Department of State Health Services, "Vital Statistics Mailing Addresses": dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics/vital-statistics-mailing-addresses (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
27. Texas Department of State Health Services, "Order Records Locally": dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics/order-records-locally (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
28. Texas Legislature, "Local Government Code Chapter 118. Fees Charged by County Officers" (Texas Statutes): statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/LG/htm/LG.118.htm (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
29. Travis County Clerk, "Non-Texas Residents": countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/departments/recording/non-texas-residents (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
30. Texas Legislature, "Family Code Chapter 2. The Marriage Relationship" (Texas Statutes): statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.2.htm (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
31. Twogether in Texas (Texas Health and Human Services), "Home": twogetherintexas.com/UI/index.aspx (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
32. Twogether in Texas (Texas Health and Human Services), "FAQ": twogetherintexas.com/UI/faq.aspx (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
33. Twogether in Texas (Texas Health and Human Services), "Search Providers": twogetherintexas.com/UI/SearchProviderResult.aspx (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
34. Travis County District Clerk, "Filing Fees (PDF, effective 1/1/2026)": traviscountytx.gov/images/district_clerk/Docs/Travis-County-District-Clerk-Filing-Fees-2026.pdf (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
35. Texas Legislature, "Government Code Chapter 51. Clerks" (Texas Statutes): statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.51.htm (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
36. Bexar County Clerk, "Real Property Recording Fees": bexar.org/2951/Real-Property-Recording-Fees (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
37. Dallas County Clerk, "Recording Fees": dallascounty.org/government/county-clerk/recording/fees-payment.php (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
38. Texas Secretary of State, "Authentication of Documents": sos.state.tx.us/authinfo.shtml (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
39. USPS, "Money Orders": usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
40. Austin Resource Recovery, "Shredded Paper Drop-off Locations": austintexas.gov/resource-recovery/shredded-paper-drop-locations (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
41. Travis County, "Annual Free Shred Day": alpha.traviscountytx.gov/cards/annual-shred-day (last checked Oct 30, 2026)

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