how-to
Can I Do a Walk-In for the Apostille? What to Know
Table of Contents
- Can You Do a Walk-In for an Apostille?
- Apostille Drop Off Service: The 24-Hour Alternative
- Apostille Processing Time and How to Get an Apostille
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: September 22, 2026
Can You Do a Walk-In for an Apostille?
No. "Can I do a walk-in for the apostille?" The Secretary of State does not offer walk-in service for apostille requests. The office handles apostilles through a drop-off and pickup process instead.
So if you are asking, "Can I do a walk-in for the apostille?" the answer is no. The Secretary of State does not accept walk-in apostille requests at the public counter. What you can do is drop off your documents and come back for them, usually within 24 hours.
This guide covers how the drop-off process works and how to avoid a wasted trip.
Apostille Drop Off Service: The 24-Hour Alternative
The apostille drop off service replaces the walk-in. You hand your documents to staff at the service window, they log your request, and you return to collect the finished apostille.
Most people retrieve their documents within 24 hours, making drop-off the fastest realistic option when you need an apostille quickly.
Here is what the drop-off typically involves:
- Bring the original document that needs authentication
- Make sure it is already notarized if required
- Complete the submission form at the counter
- Leave the document and keep your pickup slip
- Return the next business day to collect it
A common mistake is arriving with an unnotarized document, which gets rejected on the spot.
Apostille Processing Time and How to Get an Apostille
Apostille processing time runs about 24 hours for drop-off requests. Same-day processing is not guaranteed, so plan for at least one business day.
To get an apostille, follow this order:
- Confirm your document needs an apostille, not a consular legalization
- Get the document notarized if required
- Check that the notary's commission and official seal are current
- Submit the document at the Secretary of State service window
- Pay the processing fee at submission
- Return with your pickup slip to collect the apostilled document
Document limits and submission requirements can vary, so confirm details before you go. For a birth certificate, you may need a certified copy from vital records rather than the original.
How long does an apostille take?
A drop-off apostille is typically ready within 24 hours. Mail-in requests take longer due to shipping and handling on both ends.
What is the difference between an apostille and a notarization?
A notarization verifies a signature and identity before a notary public. An apostille is a separate certificate from the Secretary of State confirming the notary or official seal is genuine for use in another country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to walk in for the apostille?
No. The Secretary of State does not allow walk-ins for apostille services. You cannot show up and wait to be served. Instead, you drop off your documents and retrieve them in 24 hours. This drop off service replaces the old walk-in model, so plan your visit around submission and pickup rather than same-visit service.
What is the standard processing time for an apostille?
With the drop off service, processing time is typically 24 hours. You submit your documents, then return the next day to retrieve them. Mail-in requests take longer because of shipping both ways. If you need it faster, ask about expedited service when you drop off, but confirm current timelines with the office directly.
How can I expedite my apostille request?
Use the drop off service instead of mailing your documents. Dropping off in person and picking up in 24 hours is the fastest standard option. Make sure your documents are properly notarized and ready before you submit, since rejected submissions add days. For complex cases, a document preparation service can review everything first to avoid delays.
Walk-in service is not available, but the 24-hour drop-off option gets you a finished apostille fast. Premier Multiservices handles Nevada apostilles and document authentication in-house, with bilingual English and Spanish support and secure handling of sensitive documents. Our team guides you through each submission requirement so nothing gets rejected. Book an appointment with Premier Multiservices and get your apostille handled correctly the first time.