NEVADA · APOSTILLE & TRANSLATION
Apostille & Certified Translation in Nevada
In Nevada, apostilles and authentications are issued by the Nevada Secretary of State from its Carson City office, and the state will only certify documents that originate in Nevada — birth, marriage, and death certificates, divorce decrees, court records, and notarized affidavits. If your destination country does not use English, you will also need a certified translation, and the order in which you translate versus apostille matters more than most people expect. Translation HelpDesk delivers consulate-ready certified translations at $0.05/word — most one-page civil documents total about $15-25 — in 24-48 hours, with a free 250-word sample so you can see the quality first. Founded by Victor Luján in 2018 and based nearshore in Chihuahua, Mexico, we serve clients across all 50 states, including Las Vegas, Reno, and Henderson.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Guidance only — confirm current fees and steps with the Nevada Secretary of State — Apostille / Authentication (Carson City office).
HOW IT WORKS IN NEVADA
Getting an Apostille in Nevada
Nevada routes all apostilles and authentications through the Secretary of State's Carson City office, and the state will only apostille documents actually issued in Nevada. Start by obtaining the underlying record: a certified copy of a vital record from the county or Office of Vital Records (issued within the last five years and bearing an original hand signature), or a private document — power of attorney, single-status affidavit, diploma copy — notarized by a Nevada notary public. Then submit the document with a completed Apostille/Certification Order Form (which requires you to name the destination country) plus the state fee, by mail or in person in Carson City; confirm the current submission address and any Las Vegas drop-off rules on nvsos.gov before sending. Nevada issues an "Apostille" for Hague Convention member countries and a "Certification" (authentication) for non-member countries, so verify which one your destination requires before you file.
TRANSLATION + APOSTILLE
Where Certified Translation Fits
In almost all cases you should apostille the original English document FIRST, then have the certified translation made of the complete apostilled packet — including the apostille certificate itself — so the foreign authority receives the entire set in its language. The most common mistake is translating first and asking the Secretary of State to apostille the translation: Nevada authenticates the signature of the issuing official or notary, not the wording of a translation, so a translation can only be apostilled if the translator's certification is separately notarized by a Nevada notary. When in doubt, confirm with the receiving consulate whether they want the apostille on the original or on the translation, then order your certified translation accordingly.
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: The Nevada state apostille fee is commonly listed at $20 per document, with optional expedite tiers adding roughly $75 and up; because government fees change, verify the current amount and expedite pricing on nvsos.gov before filing. Translation HelpDesk's certified translation is billed separately at $0.05/word — most civil documents (birth, marriage, single-page records) total about $15-25.
Typical processing: Nevada processing varies by method: in-person filings at the Carson City office can be same-day to a few days, while mail requests typically run a few weeks depending on the current backlog, with paid expedite options available for faster turnaround. Certified translation from Translation HelpDesk is delivered in 24-48 hours, so translation is rarely the bottleneck.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues apostilles in Nevada?
The Nevada Secretary of State, through its Carson City office. Nevada only apostilles documents issued in Nevada — a document from another state must be apostilled by that state's authority, and federal documents (such as FBI background checks) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC.
Should I translate my document before or after the apostille?
Usually after. Apostille the original English document first, then have Translation HelpDesk translate the full packet — including the apostille certificate — into the destination language. The exception is when the consulate specifically wants the translation itself apostilled; in that case the translator's certification is notarized by a Nevada notary, and that notarized translation is what gets the apostille.
How much does a Nevada apostille plus translation cost?
The Nevada state fee is commonly cited at $20 per document (verify the current amount and any expedite fees on nvsos.gov). Our certified translation is separate, at $0.05/word — about $15-25 for a typical one-page civil document. Message us by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com for a fast quote.
How long does the whole process take?
In-person filings in Carson City can be same-day to a few days; mail requests generally take a few weeks depending on the backlog, and expedited service is available for an added state fee. Translation HelpDesk returns certified translations in 24-48 hours, so the apostille — not the translation — is normally the longer step.
Do I need the apostille certificate itself translated too?
Often yes. The apostille's field labels are trilingual, but the details filled in are written in English, and many foreign authorities want the entire certificate translated. We include the apostille page in your certified translation on request.
What Nevada documents commonly need an apostille and a translation?
Nevada birth, marriage, and death certificates and divorce decrees (for dual citizenship, marriage abroad, or visas), powers of attorney and single-status affidavits, Las Vegas marriage certificates for use overseas, and academic records. Send us a free 250-word sample and we'll show you the certified translation quality before you commit.