Do apostilled documents expire?

How long an apostille “stays good” 📅

Under the Hague Convention framework, apostilles do not come with a built‑in expiration date; once Nevada issues the certificate, it continues to confirm that the original Nevada signature or notarial act was valid on that date.

• For many uses, a Nevada apostille issued years ago still technically proves that the notary, registrar, or clerk’s signature was authentic at the time it was issued.
• However, foreign embassies, universities, and licensing boards often require “recent” documents and will specify maximum ages such as “issued within the last 90 days” or “within 6 months.”

When you may need a new apostille 🔁

Even though Nevada’s apostille certificate does not expire on its own, you might be asked to obtain a newer document and a new apostille if your case falls into certain time‑sensitive categories.

• Visa, immigration, and residency filings where consulates often require vital records and police clearances issued within a defined number of days.
• University admission, licensing, and employment where transcripts, diplomas, or background checks must be recent or reflect current status.
• Situations where the foreign authority has updated its rules since the original apostille was issued and now requires a different format or newer certification.

Best practices before reusing an old apostille ✅

Before sending an older apostille overseas, it is worth confirming that it will still be accepted so you are not surprised by last‑minute rejections or extra travel.

• Ask the consulate, school, or agency exactly how recent the document and apostille must be for your specific application.
• Verify whether you need a new certified copy (for vital records or court orders) or updated notarization (for powers of attorney and affidavits) before requesting a new apostille.
• Plan ahead if you are reusing documents for a different country, because each destination can have its own age rules even under the same Hague framework.

How Lake Mead Mobile Notary can help

Lake Mead Mobile Notary helps clients in Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City decide whether existing apostilled documents are likely to be accepted or whether it is safer to start over with new records.

• Reviewing your current apostille, the age of the underlying document, and the written requirements from the foreign authority.
• Coordinating mobile notarization, Nevada certified copies, and fresh apostille submission when a new packet is the better option for your deadline.

Related Questions

• How much does an apostille cost in Nevada?
• How fast can I get an apostille in Las Vegas?
• Which documents need an apostille vs a certified copy in Nevada?

Can Nevada apostille out of state documents?

What Nevada can apostille (and what it cannot)

The key rule is simple the apostille must come from the same jurisdiction that issued or notarized the document. Nevada can apostille:

• Nevada public records such as vital records, court orders, and corporate filings issued by Nevada agencies.
• Documents notarized by a Nevada commissioned notary public, including powers of attorney, affidavits, business documents, and school records signed in Nevada.

Nevada cannot apostille documents that are truly “out of state,” including:

• Birth, marriage, or death certificates issued by another state’s vital records office.
• Court orders, divorce decrees, or judgments from courts outside Nevada.
• Documents notarized in another state, even if you now live in Nevada.

What if my packet has both Nevada and out of state documents?

It is common for international packets to mix documents from different states. For example, you might have a Nevada power of attorney plus a California birth certificate or a Texas court order. In that situation, each document must be routed through the correct state for apostille based on where it originated.

• Nevada documents go through the Nevada Secretary of State apostille process.
• Out of state documents are sent to the Secretary of State in the issuing state.
• Any federal documents follow a separate U S Department of State process instead of a state apostille.

Lake Mead Mobile Notary can coordinate the Nevada portion and help you map out the remaining steps so you do not pay the wrong office or lose time on rejected filings.

How Lake Mead Mobile Notary can still help with out of state items

Even when Nevada cannot issue the apostille itself, Lake Mead Mobile Notary can still provide value by helping you plan the full route for your documents. That includes explaining which pieces belong in Nevada, which belong in other states, and which should go through federal channels.

• Review your documents and destination country to identify which offices are involved.
• Handle notarization and apostille coordination for all Nevada origin documents.
• Provide practical guidance and resources for contacting out of state or federal offices for the rest.