Nevada has one of the cleanest voting rights restoration laws in the country: Under Assembly Bill 431, which took effect July 1, 2019, voting rights are restored automatically and immediately upon release from prison -- no waiting period, no paperwork, no petition, and it applies while you are on parole or probation. When you walk out, your right to vote is already restored.
Nevada has also been building a Justice-Involved Reentry Program to extend Medicaid coverage into the pre-release period. In January 2025, Nevada Medicaid received a $5 million federal planning grant -- the highest level offered -- to implement the infrastructure needed to provide Medicaid services to people before they leave correctional settings. The program is in implementation; the adult pre-release services are being developed under state law AB 389 (2023) and a planned federal 1115 waiver.
Here is what currently exists, what is coming, and what you need to do.
What NDOC Provides at Release
The Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC, doc.nv.gov) provides reentry programming and support through the Office of Reentry Programs and community partnerships.
At least three months before your projected release date, the Director of the Nevada prison may provide you with options for one or two reentry programs to help you search for and obtain employment (NRS 209.511). NDOC may also assist with employment bonding to help you secure a job, and may offer mediation services for you and your family providing psychological, emotional, and financial support before the end of your sentence.
NDOC partners with community organizations including Hope For Prisoners (hopeforprisoners.org) in Las Vegas for comprehensive reentry support including employment, life skills, and community reintegration. NDOC's reentry programming covers mental health services, vocational training, educational programming, and substance abuse programming.
Regarding ID documents before release: ask your NDOC case manager or reentry program contact directly whether the facility provides assistance with state ID, driver's license, Social Security card, or birth certificate processing before release. Practices may vary by facility. Do not assume these documents have been initiated -- ask directly.
Nevada Justice-Involved Reentry Program (in development)
Nevada is building pre-release Medicaid services under two authorities:
First, Assembly Bill 389 (June 2023) requires Nevada Medicaid to seek federal approval to provide certain Medicaid-covered services to incarcerated Medicaid-eligible individuals -- including adults -- for up to 90 days before release. This will cover case management, mental health services, substance use treatment, medication-assisted treatment, and early screening, diagnostic, and treatment services. Nevada applied for a Section 1115 federal waiver under this authority. As of January 2025, implementation planning is underway. Confirm the current status of the adult 1115 waiver at dhcfp.nv.gov or by emailing justicemed@dss.nv.gov.
Second, federal law (CAA 2023, Section 5121) required states beginning January 1, 2025 to provide case management and screening and diagnostic services to youth under age 21 and former foster youth up to age 26 for 30 days before and after release from a public institution. Nevada implemented this juvenile requirement as of January 2025. If you or your family member is under 21 or an aged-out foster youth, contact the facility and Nevada Medicaid about this coverage.
Nevada Medicaid awarded $5 million in planning grants (announced January 2025): CMS awarded Nevada Medicaid the highest-level planning grant ($5 million) to implement the Electronic Health Records infrastructure needed to track and bill Medicaid for services provided in correctional settings. An estimated 12,000 Nevadans will benefit by 2030.
Getting Your Nevada State ID or Driver's License
Nevada state IDs and driver's licenses are issued by the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV, dmv.nv.gov).
If your ID was not processed before release, visit any Nevada DMV location. You will need documents establishing your identity, Social Security number, and Nevada residency. Standard documents include a birth certificate or passport, your Social Security card, and proof of a Nevada address. Your NDOC release documentation serves as a supporting identity document.
Ask your NDOC case manager before release whether the facility provides assistance initiating your state ID or driver's license application before your release date.
Getting Your Social Security Card
If your Social Security card was not obtained before release, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, apply online at ssa.gov, or visit your nearest SSA office. Replacement cards are free. Bring your state ID and birth certificate.
Ask your case manager whether your facility has a prerelease SSA agreement allowing the card replacement and benefit application process to begin up to 90 days before release.
Getting Your Birth Certificate
If you were born in Nevada, request a certified copy from the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) Office of Vital Records at dpbh.nv.gov or by calling (775) 684-4242. The fee is currently $25 per copy.
If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office. Start this process early -- out-of-state requests can take time and delay your ID process.
Nevada Medicaid
Nevada expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Low-income adults who meet income requirements are generally eligible for Nevada Medicaid after release. Nevada Medicaid is administered by the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) and the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (DHCFP).
Apply for Nevada Medicaid at dwss.nv.gov or by calling 1-800-992-0900.
Ask your NDOC case manager whether Medicaid enrollment can be initiated before release. As Nevada builds out its Justice-Involved Reentry Program, pre-release Medicaid enrollment processes are being developed. Contact the Justice Involved Assistance team at justicemed@dss.nv.gov for current information about pre-release enrollment options.
SNAP: Food Assistance
Nevada has removed the drug conviction SNAP ban. People with drug felony convictions are eligible for SNAP in Nevada, subject to standard income and eligibility requirements.
Apply for SNAP at dwss.nv.gov or by calling 1-800-992-0900. You will need to verify identity, residency, income, and household composition.
Voting Rights in Nevada
Nevada Assembly Bill 431 (effective July 1, 2019) provides the clearest voting rights restoration in the series: voting rights are restored automatically and immediately upon release from prison. There is no waiting period. No action is required. The restoration applies:
Regardless of the type or category of felony committed.
Regardless of whether you were convicted in Nevada, another state, or federal court.
Even while you are on parole or probation.
When you are released from Nevada state prison, NDOC is required to provide you with official documentation restoring your civil rights and noting the dates those rights take effect.
If your voter registration was canceled because of your felony conviction, you may re-register as soon as you are released. You do not need to provide any documentation proving your rights have been restored.
Additional civil rights timeline upon release: Right to serve as a juror in a civil action is immediately restored. Right to hold public office is restored 4 years after release. Right to serve as a juror in a criminal action is restored 6 years after release.
Nevada Reentry Resources
Nevada Department of Corrections (doc.nv.gov): Reentry programming; vocational, educational, mental health, and SUD programming; Hope For Prisoners partnership (Las Vegas); Re-Entry Task Force.
Nevada Justice-Involved Reentry Program (dhcfp.nv.gov/Pgms/Waivers/Reentry_Initiative): Building pre-release Medicaid for adults (1115 waiver in development, AB 389) and youth (implemented January 2025). Contact: justicemed@dss.nv.gov.
Nevada Medicaid / DWSS (dwss.nv.gov; 1-800-992-0900): Medicaid and SNAP applications.
Nevada DMV (dmv.nv.gov): State ID and driver's license.
Nevada DPBH Vital Records (dpbh.nv.gov; 775-684-4242): Birth certificates; $25 per copy.
Hope For Prisoners (hopeforprisoners.org, Las Vegas): Comprehensive reentry support; employment; life skills; community connections. NDOC community partner.
Nevada Secretary of State Voter Registration (nvsos.gov): Register to vote after release; no documentation of rights restoration required.
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (lacsn.org, Las Vegas): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income residents.
Washoe Legal Services (washoelegalservices.org, Reno/Northern Nevada): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income residents.
Nevada 211 (nevada211.org; dial 211): Statewide referrals to housing, food, health, and social services by county.
Social Security Administration (ssa.gov; 1-800-772-1213): SSI and SSDI applications; SSA Reentry Benefits at ssa.gov/reentry/benefits.htm.
Frequently asked questions
Does NDOC help with ID documents before release?
NDOC provides reentry programming and has community partnerships for reentry support, but practices for pre-release ID document processing may vary by facility. Ask your NDOC case manager directly whether the facility initiates state ID, driver's license, Social Security card, or birth certificate processing before your release date. Do not assume these documents are in progress -- confirm the status directly. As Nevada builds its Justice-Involved Reentry Program, pre-release documentation support may expand.
Can I get Medicaid after prison in Nevada?
Yes. Nevada expanded Medicaid and low-income adults are generally eligible after release. Apply at dwss.nv.gov or call 1-800-992-0900. Ask your NDOC case manager whether Medicaid enrollment can be initiated before release. Nevada is building pre-release Medicaid enrollment through its Justice-Involved Reentry Program (dhcfp.nv.gov); contact justicemed@dss.nv.gov for current pre-release enrollment options.
What is Nevada's Justice-Involved Reentry Program?
Nevada's Justice-Involved Reentry Program is a multi-part initiative to provide Medicaid-covered health services to people before and after leaving correctional settings. Under Assembly Bill 389 (2023), Nevada is seeking federal 1115 waiver approval to provide case management, mental health services, SUD treatment, MAT, and early screening for up to 90 days before release for adults. The juvenile component (youth under 21 and aged-out foster youth up to 26) took effect January 1, 2025 under federal law. Nevada received a $5 million CMS planning grant in January 2025 to build the EHR infrastructure. Contact dhcfp.nv.gov or email justicemed@dss.nv.gov for current status.
Can I get SNAP benefits after prison in Nevada?
Yes. Nevada has removed the drug conviction SNAP ban. People with felony drug convictions are eligible for SNAP, subject to standard income and eligibility requirements. Apply at dwss.nv.gov or call 1-800-992-0900. You will need to verify identity, residency, income, and household composition.
Can I vote after prison in Nevada?
Yes, immediately. Under Assembly Bill 431 (effective July 1, 2019), your voting rights are restored automatically the moment you are released from prison -- no waiting period, no petition, no paperwork required. This applies regardless of the type of felony, whether you were convicted in Nevada or another jurisdiction, and even while you are on parole or probation. Re-register to vote at registertovotenv.gov. No documentation of rights restoration is required to register.
How do I get my birth certificate in Nevada?
If you were born in Nevada, request a certified copy from the Nevada DPBH Office of Vital Records at dpbh.nv.gov or by calling (775) 684-4242. The current fee is $25 per copy. Ask your NDOC case manager whether the facility can assist with this before release. If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office early -- out-of-state requests take time.
How do I replace my Social Security card in Nevada?
Contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213, apply online at ssa.gov, or visit your nearest SSA office. Replacement cards are free. Bring your state ID and birth certificate. Ask your case manager whether your facility has a prerelease SSA agreement allowing this process to begin up to 90 days before release. SSA reentry benefits information is at ssa.gov/reentry/benefits.htm.
What civil rights are restored when I leave prison?
Upon release from Nevada state prison: voting rights are immediately and automatically restored (AB 431, 2019); right to serve as a juror in a civil action is immediately restored. Right to hold public office is restored 4 years after release. Right to serve as a juror in a criminal action is restored 6 years after release. NDOC is required to provide you with official documentation of these restored rights and their effective dates at release. If you lose this documentation, you may file a written request with a court for restoration under NRS 213.157. Contact the Nevada Attorney General's office (ag.nv.gov) or Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (lacsn.org) for assistance.
What benefits can I apply for after release in Nevada?
Nevada Medicaid at dwss.nv.gov (1-800-992-0900) for low-income adults. SNAP (food assistance) at dwss.nv.gov -- drug felony convictions do not bar you. SSI or SSDI through SSA (1-800-772-1213) if you qualify through age or disability. Veterans' benefits through the VA if applicable. Hope For Prisoners (hopeforprisoners.org) in Las Vegas provides employment and reentry support. Nevada 211 (dial 211 or nevada211.org) provides county referrals for housing, food, and social services.
What reentry resources does NDOC provide?
NDOC provides reentry programming including mental health services, vocational training, educational programming, and substance abuse treatment. At least 3 months before release, NDOC may offer one or two reentry program options and employment bonding assistance (NRS 209.511). NDOC has partnerships with Hope For Prisoners (hopeforprisoners.org) in Las Vegas and other community organizations for comprehensive post-release support. The Re-Entry Task Force coordinates statewide interagency collaboration. Nevada is building a Justice-Involved Reentry Program to add pre-release Medicaid services. For current pre-release programs at your specific facility, ask your NDOC case manager directly. ---