How to Get a Notarized Copy of Your Passport in Nevada

Your application asks for a notarized copy of your passport. You have the passport and a photocopy, but what exactly needs the stamp? The answer depends on what the receiving office means by a notarized copy. Getting that detail right before your appointment can save you a second trip.

Can a Nevada Notary Certify a Passport Copy?

Yes. Nevada allows notaries to certify copies of documents, and passports are not among the records prohibited by NRS 240.075(5). The notary compares the copy with the original and completes a certificate confirming that the copy matches. This does not mean the notary issued the passport or independently verified it with the government.

Nevada does prohibit notaries from certifying photocopies of birth, death, and marriage certificates and divorce decrees. For those records, request a certified copy from the office that maintains the original. The Nevada Secretary of State's duties guide and NRS Chapter 240 explain the rules.

A Certified Copy and a Sworn Statement Are Different

With a certified copy, the notary checks the copy against the original. With a sworn statement, you sign a statement about the copy and swear or affirm that your statement is true. The notary notarizes your statement, not the passport itself. These are different acts, and one is not automatically a substitute for the other.

If the office sends you a form called a copy certification by document custodian, ask whether it specifically requires your sworn statement. Do not choose a different form just because it is easier to find online. Our guide to acknowledgments and jurats explains what notarizing a signature involves.

Ask the Receiving Office Before You Book

Ask whether it wants a notary-certified copy or your notarized statement. Confirm which passport pages it needs, whether the copy must be in color, and whether it requires particular certificate wording. Also ask whether it accepts a scanned copy or needs the paper original of the certification.

If the paperwork is going abroad, ask about translation and authentication requirements too. A stamp that meets Nevada's rules does not guarantee that a foreign consulate, university, bank, or government agency will accept the document. Its instructions matter.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Bring the original passport, a clear copy of the requested pages, and the receiving office's written instructions. A photo on your phone is not a replacement for bringing the original to an in-person copy certification. If a separate statement needs your notarized signature, bring that form and acceptable identification, and wait to sign until the notary explains the required act.

Check that the copy includes the full page without cut-off edges and that every detail is readable. Ask in advance whether you should bring copies or whether copying can be arranged. Our notary appointment checklist covers other items you may need.

Can You Do It Online?

Do not assume that uploading a passport scan is enough for a certified copy. Remote online notarization may be an option for a separate sworn statement if the receiving office accepts it and the request meets Nevada's requirements. Direct copy certification has different requirements, so confirm the exact service before choosing an online appointment.

What If You Need an Apostille?

A certified passport copy and an apostille are separate steps. An apostille authenticates an official signature or seal; it does not verify the contents of your passport or guarantee acceptance abroad. The correct process depends on the document being authenticated and the country receiving it.

Do not have the original passport notarized as a shortcut to federal authentication. The U.S. Department of State's authentication instructions distinguish federal documents from state documents. Our Nevada apostille guide offers an overview, but get the recipient's exact instructions before paying for extra steps.

Getting It Done in Las Vegas

Start with the receiving office's instructions, then arrange your appointment with the original passport ready. Calles Notary offers mobile appointments in the Las Vegas area. In-office visits must be booked at least a day in advance. Contact us to confirm the request, availability, and total price before the appointment.

This guide provides general information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by recipient and destination. Confirm your instructions with the receiving office and consult the Nevada Secretary of State for current notarial rules.