How to Get an Apostille in Nebraska
Educational information, not legal advice. Fees, addresses and processing times reflect the Nebraska Secretary of State and can change. Confirm current details on the official sos.nebraska.gov page before you mail anything.
Nebraska apostille cost and time calculator
Enter how many notarizations you have and how you will submit them; the tool estimates the state fee and the usual processing window for that route.
How much does a Nebraska apostille cost?
A Nebraska apostille costs $10 per document or notarization, regardless of the number of pages, and the wording matters here. If a single document carries multiple signatures notarized by different notaries, the Secretary of State charges the $10 fee for each notarization, not once for the document. This trips people up when, for example, two people sign a contract before two different notaries: that is two notarizations and a $20 fee, even though it is one document. Just as important, over or underpayments delay processing and may cause the office to return your documents unprocessed, so send the exact amount. As always, the fee is the state charge only, and a private service adds its own handling. Confirm the current fee before submitting, since it can change.
Who issues apostilles in Nebraska?
Apostilles in Nebraska are issued by the Secretary of State in Lincoln. The office certifies the signature of a Nebraska notary, county official or state official, issuing an apostille for Hague Convention countries and an authentication for the rest. It handles Nebraska documents only, so a document issued or notarized in another state goes to that state. A private document such as a power of attorney must be notarized by a Nebraska notary first, while vital records must be certified copies from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, and court records must bear the signing court official's signature. The office authenticates that official's signature rather than the contents of your document.
How long does a Nebraska apostille take?
A Nebraska apostille is completed the same day for walk-ins, since a staff member handles a counter request immediately, while normal mail processing is three to five business days from the day the office receives the packet, not counting transit in each direction. If you complete the request form online, include the receipt from that online transaction with the original signed document when you mail it in. Add a prepaid, self-addressed return envelope so the finished apostille comes back promptly. For a firm foreign deadline, the walk-in option in Lincoln is the fastest route when you can reach the office.
| Nebraska apostille | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Nebraska Secretary of State |
| State fee | $10 per document or notarization (each notarization counts) |
| Processing | Walk-in same day; about 3 to 5 business days by mail |
| Mail address | Nebraska Secretary of State, P.O. Box 94608, Lincoln, NE 68509-4608 |
| Payment | Check or money order to "Nebraska Secretary of State," or card; send the exact amount |
| Federal documents | Go to the U.S. Department of State, not Nebraska |
Can Nebraska apostille an FBI background check?
No, Nebraska cannot apostille an FBI background check, because it is a federal document authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Sending a federal report to Lincoln means it comes back unprocessed. The Nebraska Secretary of State authenticates documents issued or notarized in Nebraska, such as a Nebraska birth certificate from the Department of Health and Human Services or a power of attorney notarized by a Nebraska notary. Out-of-state paperwork and federal records are processed by their own offices.
Nebraska apostille: frequently asked questions
- Who issues apostilles in Nebraska?
- The Nebraska Secretary of State in Lincoln, for documents issued or notarized in Nebraska, by mail or walk-in.
- How much does a Nebraska apostille cost?
- The fee is $10 per document or notarization, regardless of page count. A document with multiple signatures notarized by different notaries is charged $10 for each notarization.
- How long does a Nebraska apostille take?
- Walk-in requests are handled immediately and completed that day. Normal mail processing is three to five business days from receipt, plus transit.
- Why was my Nebraska apostille returned unprocessed?
- The most common reason is an incorrect fee. Over or underpayments delay processing and may cause the office to return documents unprocessed, so send the exact amount.
- Can Nebraska apostille an FBI background check?
- No. An FBI background check falls under the U.S. Department of State, outside the Nebraska Secretary of State's authority.
By the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Nebraska Secretary of State, Business Services, Apostilles and Authentications (sos.nebraska.gov). Verify the current cost and address directly with the office before filing.
