Documents issued or notarized in Nevada are apostilled by the Notary Division (Apostille/Certification) (Nevada Secretary of State). The office authenticates the signatures of Nevada public officials — registrars, court clerks, state agencies — and Nevada-commissioned notaries public, then attaches an apostille for Hague Convention countries or an authentication certificate for all others.
Issues apostilles for Hague countries and certifications for non-Hague countries at the same $20 fee.
Where to file
| Nevada Secretary of State, 401 North Carson Street, Carson City, NV 89701 | |
| In person | 401 North Carson Street, Carson City, NV 89701 (drop-off counter); Las Vegas drop box at 1 State of Nevada Way, 1st Floor Lobby, Las Vegas, NV 89119 Carson City counter accepts drop-off requests during business hours with hold-for-pickup available; in-person requests are expedited only if the expedite fee is paid. Las Vegas is a drop box only; walk-in apostille appointments in Las Vegas not offered as of Jan 2026 (third-party report). |
| Request form | Official request form |
| Official page | https://www.nvsos.gov/businesses/apostille |
How to get a Nevada apostille
- Confirm the document is a Nevada public document
The Notary Division (Apostille/Certification) authenticates signatures of Nevada officials and Nevada-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 by mail to Nevada Secretary of State, 401 North Carson Street, Carson City, NV 89701; in person at 401 North Carson Street, Carson City, NV 89701 (drop-off counter); Las Vegas drop box at 1 State of Nevada Way, 1st Floor Lobby, Las Vegas, NV 89119 (Carson City counter accepts drop-off requests during business hours with hold-for-pickup available; in-person requests are expedited only if the expedite fee is paid. Las Vegas is a drop box only; walk-in apostille appointments in Las Vegas not offered as of Jan 2026 (third-party report).). The fee is $20 per document.
- Receive the apostille
Processing: Official pages conflict: '2 weeks' on the apostille page vs 'approximately 4-6 weeks' on the fees page. Expedited: 24-hour (+$75), 4-hour (+$125), 2-hour (+$500), 1-hour (+$1,000) per notary; 24-hour orders received by 2pm are mailed next business day. Expedite periods may be extended for volume, staffing or signature-verification issues.. Keep the apostille attached and translate afterward if the destination requires it.
Fees and processing time
Fee: $20 per document. $20 per apostille or certification. Expedite fees per notary authenticated, on top of $20: 24-hour $75, 4-hour $125, 2-hour $500, 1-hour $1,000. Check or money order payable to Secretary of State, or Visa/MasterCard/Discover/AmEx with the credit card checklist form.
Processing time: Official pages conflict: '2 weeks' on the apostille page vs 'approximately 4-6 weeks' on the fees page
Expedited: 24-hour (+$75), 4-hour (+$125), 2-hour (+$500), 1-hour (+$1,000) per notary; 24-hour orders received by 2pm are mailed next business day. Expedite periods may be extended for volume, staffing or signature-verification issues.
Documents Nevada will apostille
- Documents notarized by a Nevada notary public
- Certified copies of vital records issued by Nevada officials
- Certified Secretary of State business documents (certified copy can be ordered with the apostille)
Not accepted or commonly rejected
- Photocopies of records
- Documents issued or notarized outside Nevada
Notarized documents
Original certified copy or original notarized document required; photocopies of records are rejected.
Nevada does not require county clerk certification of notarized documents before the state apostille.
General rules: notarized documents and apostilles.
Birth, marriage and death certificates
Must be the original certified copy issued by the Nevada vital records office or county recorder; photocopies rejected.
See the document guides for birth, marriage and death certificates.
Nevada-specific points
- Four expedite tiers up to a $1,000 one-hour service, priced per notary not per document.
- Nevada's own site gives two different standard turnarounds (2 weeks vs 4-6 weeks).
- The Las Vegas office is a drop box only; all processing happens in Carson City.
- Fax/email orders are possible only when bundled with a certified-copy order.
Federal documents and non-Hague destinations
Nevada does not apostille federal documents. An FBI background check, Certificate of Naturalization, DD-214, IRS letter or Social Security letter issued to a Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada?
The Notary Division (Apostille/Certification) charges $20 per document. $20 per apostille or certification. Expedite fees per notary authenticated, on top of $20: 24-hour $75, 4-hour $125, 2-hour $500, 1-hour $1,000. Check or money order payable to Secretary of State, or Visa/MasterCard/Discover/AmEx with the credit card checklist form.
How long does a Nevada apostille take?
Official pages conflict: ‘2 weeks’ on the apostille page vs ‘approximately 4-6 weeks’ on the fees page Expedited option: 24-hour (+$75), 4-hour (+$125), 2-hour (+$500), 1-hour (+$1,000) per notary; 24-hour orders received by 2pm are mailed next business day. Expedite periods may be extended for volume, staffing or signature-verification issues..
Can I get an apostille in person in Nevada?
Yes. Carson City counter accepts drop-off requests during business hours with hold-for-pickup available; in-person requests are expedited only if the expedite fee is paid. Las Vegas is a drop box only; walk-in apostille appointments in Las Vegas not offered as of Jan 2026 (third-party report).
Does Nevada require county clerk certification before an apostille?
No. Notarized documents go directly to the Notary Division (Apostille/Certification) provided the notary is commissioned in Nevada and the notarial certificate is complete.
Where do I apostille a federal document issued to a Nevada resident?
Federal documents — FBI background checks, naturalization certificates, DD-214s, IRS letters — are never apostilled by Nevada. They go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications. See the federal section.
