Documents issued or notarized in Nebraska are apostilled by the Notary Division (Nebraska Secretary of State). The office authenticates the signatures of Nebraska public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Nebraska-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues apostilles for Hague countries and Certificates of Authentication for other countries.
Where to file
| Nebraska Secretary of State, Notary Division, P.O. Box 95104, Lincoln, NE 68509 (FedEx/UPS: 1201 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508) | |
| In person | 1201 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508 Walk-in requests are processed immediately and completed the same day. Hours not published on the apostille page. |
| Online | Submit request and pay by credit/debit card at business.nebraska.gov, then mail or hand-deliver originals with the online transaction receipt. |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://sos.nebraska.gov/business-services/apostilles-and-authentications |
How to get a Nebraska apostille
- Confirm the document is a Nebraska public document
The Notary Division authenticates signatures of Nebraska officials and Nebraska-commissioned notaries only. Documents from other states go to their own state; federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Prepare the request
Complete the request form (official form), naming the destination country so the office issues an apostille (Hague country) or an authentication certificate (non-Hague country).
- Submit the document, fee and return envelope
Submit online — Submit request and pay by credit/debit card at business.nebraska.gov, then mail or hand-deliver originals with the online transaction receipt.; by mail to Nebraska Secretary of State, Notary Division, P.O. Box 95104, Lincoln, NE 68509 (FedEx/UPS: 1201 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508); in person at 1201 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508 (Walk-in requests are processed immediately and completed the same day. Hours not published on the apostille page.). The fee is $10 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: 3-5 business days from receipt (mail); same day in person. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $10 per document. $10 per document/notarization regardless of page count; documents notarized by different notaries are $10 per notarization. Card online; check or money order payable to Nebraska Secretary of State by mail; cash accepted in person but discouraged by mail. Over/underpayment delays processing or returns documents unprocessed.
Processing time: 3-5 business days from receipt (mail); same day in person
Documents Nebraska will apostille
- Documents notarized by a Nebraska notary public
- Documents signed by Nebraska state or county officials
- Certified birth and death certificates
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Documents not issued or notarized by Nebraska officials
Notarized documents
Original document signed by a Nebraska notary public required for private documents.
Nebraska does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Birth and death certificates must be certified Nebraska-issued copies.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Nebraska-specific points
- Same-day walk-in service in Lincoln with no expedite fee.
- Online pay-first workflow: pay at business.nebraska.gov, then mail originals with the receipt.
- Notary Division P.O. Box (95104) differs from the Secretary of State's general P.O. Box (94608).
- Office states it is not responsible for documents lost in the mail; recommends tracked priority shipping.
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Nebraska does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Nebraska resident is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. — see the federal section. For destinations outside the Hague Convention, the Nebraska authentication certificate must then be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State and legalized at the destination's embassy (how the chain works).
Frequently asked questions
How much does an apostille cost in Nebraska?
The Notary Division charges $10 per document. $10 per document/notarization regardless of page count; documents notarized by different notaries are $10 per notarization. Card online; check or money order payable to Nebraska Secretary of State by mail; cash accepted in person but discouraged by mail. Over/underpayment delays processing or returns documents unprocessed.
How long does a Nebraska apostille take?
3-5 business days from receipt (mail); same day in person
Can I get an apostille in person in Nebraska?
Yes. Walk-in requests are processed immediately and completed the same day. Hours not published on the apostille page.
Does Nebraska require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Notary Division provided the notary is commissioned in Nebraska and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Nebraska resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Nebraska. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
