NEBRASKA · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Nebraska
Apostilles and authentications in Nebraska are issued by one place only: the Secretary of State's Notary Division in Lincoln, at a low $10 per document. The state authenticates the signature of a Nebraska notary or official — it does not translate anything, and it will not apostille a translation on its own. When your birth certificate, marriage certificate, diploma, or power of attorney is headed to another country, you apostille the original first, then get a certified translation of both the document and the apostille. Translation HelpDesk delivers USCIS- and consulate-ready certified translations at $0.05/word (about $15–25 for a standard civil document) in 24–48 hours, backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge and a free 250-word sample.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Nebraska Secretary of State, Notary Division (Business Services) — 1201 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508; mailing: P.O. Box 95104, Lincoln, NE 68509; sos.notary@nebraska.gov, (402) 471-2558.
HOW IT WORKS IN NEBRASKA
Getting an Apostille in Nebraska
In Nebraska, apostilles and authentications are issued only by the Secretary of State's Notary Division in Lincoln — no county clerk or court can do it. The document must first be a Nebraska public record or notarized by a commissioned Nebraska notary (or signed/certified by a Nebraska state or county official); vital records like a birth, marriage, or death certificate should be an official certified copy from Nebraska DHHS Vital Records or the county, not a photocopy. You then submit the original signed/certified document with a completed Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request Form and the $10-per-document fee, either as a same-day walk-in at the Lincoln office or by mail. If the destination country belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention you get an apostille; if not, you get an authentication that usually needs further legalization by that country's embassy or consulate. Always confirm the current form, fee, and hours on the Secretary of State's website before mailing.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
Certified translation and the Nebraska apostille are two separate steps, and the order matters. For documents going abroad, apostille the original English (or Spanish) Nebraska document first, then have Translation HelpDesk translate both the document and the apostille certificate itself — the apostille is attached to the record, so it must be part of the translated package. The most common mistake is translating first and asking Lincoln to apostille the translation: the Secretary of State authenticates the Nebraska official's or notary's signature, not a translation, so a stand-alone translation cannot be apostilled. For USCIS filings inside the U.S., the opposite is true — you usually need only a certified translation, not an apostille at all.
Translation HelpDesk provides the certified English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)) that USCIS accepts, and can advise on whether you need the apostille before or after translation for your specific document and destination.
FEES & TIMING
Cost & Turnaround
Apostille fee: Nebraska charges just $10 per document (per notarization/certification) for the apostille or authentication itself — one of the lowest state fees in the country — regardless of page count; a document with signatures from multiple notaries is charged $10 per notarization. Verify the current fee on the Secretary of State's site before mailing. That state fee is entirely separate from certified translation, which Translation HelpDesk provides at $0.05/word (roughly $15–25 for a standard one- to two-page civil document such as a birth or marriage certificate).
Typical processing: Nebraska apostille: same day for in-person walk-ins at the Lincoln office, or about 3–5 business days for mailed requests plus mailing time. Certified translation from Translation HelpDesk: 24–48 hours, with a free 250-word sample available first.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Nebraska?
The Nebraska Secretary of State's Notary Division in Lincoln is the only authority that issues apostilles and authentications. No county clerk, court, or notary can issue one. The office is at 1201 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508, with mail sent to P.O. Box 95104, Lincoln, NE 68509. Confirm hours and requirements at sos.nebraska.gov before you go.
How much does a Nebraska apostille cost and how long does it take?
The state fee is $10 per document (per notarization), which is unusually low. Walk-in requests in Lincoln are typically completed the same day, while mailed requests take about 3–5 business days from receipt plus mailing time. Always verify the current fee and processing time on the Secretary of State's website, since state fees can change.
Should I translate my document before or after the apostille?
For documents going abroad, apostille the original first, then translate both the document and the apostille certificate. The Secretary of State authenticates a Nebraska official's or notary's signature, not a translation, so a stand-alone translation cannot be apostilled. Translating first and asking Lincoln to apostille the translation is the single most common mistake we see.
Do I need an apostille for USCIS?
No. USCIS is a U.S. agency, so for green cards, citizenship, or visa filings you generally need only a certified English translation of your foreign document — not an apostille. Apostilles are for documents used in another country. Translation HelpDesk certified translations meet USCIS requirements and are backed by our USCIS Rejection Pledge.
Can Translation HelpDesk help with a Nebraska birth or marriage certificate going overseas?
Yes. Get a certified copy from Nebraska DHHS Vital Records or the county, have it apostilled by the Secretary of State in Lincoln, then send us the apostilled document. We deliver a certified translation of the record and the apostille at $0.05/word (about $15–25 for a standard civil document) in 24–48 hours. Message us by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com for a free 250-word sample.