Can I apostille a photocopy or scanned document?

When a photocopy can still work

A photocopy or printout can be part of an acceptable apostille packet if it is first turned into a notarized document or certified record under Nevada rules. The state needs to verify the Nevada notary, registrar, or official who signed what they see, not just confirm that it looks like your scan.

• Notarized copy certifications, where a Nevada notary certifies that a copy of a passport, ID, or diploma is a true copy of the original, creating a notarized document that can be apostilled as a notarized original.
• School records printed from a student system, then signed and notarized by a registrar or authorized officer before they are sent to the Nevada Secretary of State.
• Business documents that start as PDFs, are printed, signed in wet ink, and then notarized correctly, so the state is authenticating the notary’s certificate rather than the file format.

Photocopies that usually get rejected

Some copy-based documents are almost always rejected when submitted “as is,” even if they look official. These usually need to be replaced with proper certified copies or recreated as fresh notarized originals.

• Hospital birth worksheets or souvenir certificates instead of Nevada Vital Records or county-certified birth, marriage, or death certificates.
• Printed or scanned copies of court orders and decrees instead of certified copies with a court seal and clerk signature.
• Out-of-state documents copied and notarized in Nevada when they should be authenticated by the state where they were originally issued.

How to fix a scan or photocopy problem

If all you have is a scan or photocopy, the solution is usually to recreate an eligible Nevada original instead of trying to force the copy through the apostille system.

• Identify whether the item is a notarized legal document, vital record, court order, business record, or educational record, because each follows different “original vs. certified copy” rules.
• Request certified copies from the issuing agency for vital records and court documents, or sign new wet‑ink originals and have them notarized properly for powers of attorney, affidavits, and many business documents.
• Rebuild the apostille packet with the correct version and an accurate Nevada apostille order form so the Secretary of State can accept and process your request.

How Lake Mead Mobile Notary helps

Lake Mead Mobile Notary works with clients who often start with emailed PDFs or phone scans and need them turned into Nevada-ready paper quickly.

• Reviewing your situation and confirming whether you need a notarized original, a Nevada-certified copy, or a school or court reissue before apostille is possible.
• Providing mobile notarization across Las Vegas, Henderson, and Downtown Las Vegas, then coordinating apostille submission so you do not lose weeks to preventable rejections.

Can one apostille cover multiple documents?

When one apostille can cover a packet 📑

If multiple pages are permanently attached and clearly presented as a single notarized document, they usually travel under one apostille.

• A multi‑page power of attorney signed once and notarized as one instrument is normally authenticated with a single apostille.
• A board resolution packet where all resolutions are incorporated into one notarized certificate may also qualify as “one document” for apostille purposes.

Common Nevada and Las Vegas scenarios 📂

Clients in North Las Vegas, Downtown Las Vegas, and Boulder City often mix vital records, court documents, and notarized forms in the same international packet.

• Three certified birth certificates for different family members almost always require three apostilles.
• One notarized affidavit with several attached exhibits may still use just one apostille if the exhibits are referenced and stapled as part of the sworn statement.
• A notarized power of attorney plus a separate certified court order will typically need two apostilles, because each is issued or signed by a different authority.

How to avoid unnecessary apostilles ✅

Thoughtful document design can sometimes reduce your total apostille count without cutting legal corners.

• Ask whether several statements can be combined into a single notarized affidavit instead of multiple separate documents.
• Confirm with the consulate, school, or bank whether every record needs its own apostille or whether a few key documents are enough.
• Order only the certified copies that must appear in the foreign file so you do not pay Nevada’s per‑document fees more than necessary.

How Lake Mead Mobile Notary structures your packet

Lake Mead Mobile Notary helps you map each document to Nevada’s “one document, one apostille” approach and identify where pages can legitimately be combined.

• Reviewing your packet in advance and separating items that legally require individual apostilles from those that can share one notarized certificate.
• Coordinating apostille services and mobile notarization across North Las Vegas, Downtown Las Vegas, and Boulder City so your documents are structured correctly before submission.

Related Questions

• How many apostilles do I need for a packet of documents?
• Which documents need an apostille vs a certified copy in Nevada?
• How much does an apostille cost in Nevada?