How to Become a Notary in Nebraska

How do I renew my notary commission in Nebraska?

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Nebraska notaries public may apply to renew their notary commissions thirty days prior to their commission expiration dates. To renew your Nebraska notary public commission, follow the steps below:

1. Obtain a four-year, $15,000 notary surety bond.
2. Take the oath of office in the presence of a Nebraska notary public.
3. Complete the online renewal application by logging in to the secretary of state’s online notary portal. Once logged in, click the search button to search for your name. Click on your name. Next, click on “file amendment” and select “notary public renewal application.” You will be asked to upload a PDF copy of your notary bond and any other supporting documents.
4. Pay the $30 filing fee online before submitting your application.
5. Purchase a new notary seal upon receiving the email notifying you that your commission has been approved.

Click here for more information on how to renew your Nebraska notary commission.

Who appoints notaries in Nebraska?

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The Nebraska Secretary of State receives applications for appointment and reappointment as a notary public, electronic notary public, and online notary public and administers the commissioning process for all these commissions.

Nebraska Secretary of State
Business Services Division
Notary Division
1201 N. Street, Suite 120
Lincoln, NE 68508
Telephone: (402) 471-2558
Fax: (402) 471-4429
E-mail: sos.notary@nebraska.gov

Can a non-resident of Nebraska apply for a commission as a notary public?

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Yes. Nonresidents may apply to become Nebraska notaries public if they:

• Reside in a state that borders the State of Nebraska. 
• Meet all of the same eligibility requirements as resident notaries, except for the residency requirement.
• Are employed in or have a regular place of work or business in Nebraska.

Nonresidents are required to upload the evidence of employment form when completing their applications online.

How long is a notary public's commission term in Nebraska?

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The term of office for a Nebraska notary public is four years.

Is notary training or an exam required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Nebraska?

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Yes. All first time Nebraska notary applicants are required to pass the Nebraska Notary Exam administered by the secretary of state. The Nebraska Secretary of State recommends that all notary applicants review the duties and obligations under Notary Statutes, Frequently Asked Questions, and Rules and Regulations on the secretary of state’s website to assist them in passing the exam. If a notary applicant is not able to successfully pass the exam within the three allowed attempts, that applicant will no longer be eligible to be a notary public in Nebraska. The passing exam score will be valid for ninety days from the date of examination.

How much does it cost to become a notary public in Nebraska?

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The cost to become a notary in Nebraska includes:

1. A $30 notary application fee.
2. The fee to have your application notarized.
3. The cost for a four-year, $15,000 notary bond.
4. A notary stamp. Click here to view our notary stamp prices.
5. A notary journal to comply with the recommendations of the Nebraska Secretary of State to record all notarial acts. Click here to view our notary journal prices.
6. An errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy (optional) to protect yourself if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you.

Do I need a notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to become a notary in Nebraska?

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A notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy is not required to become a Nebraska notary public or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Nebraska notary obtain a notary E&O insurance policy. This insurance protects you from a claim if a client sues you as a notary. A notary E&O policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages based on the coverage you select as a Nebraska notary public.

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary in Nebraska?

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Yes. All Nebraska applicants are required to maintain a four-year, $15,000 notary bond for the duration of their notary term. A notary bond protects the public from notary errors. If a member of the public files a claim against a notary’s bond, the bonding company is very likely to sue the notary to recoup the funds it paid on the notary’s behalf. A notary bond does not protect notaries from mistakes they make. This is why notary errors and omissions insurance (commonly known as “E&O” or “E&O insurance”) is vital.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Nebraska?

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Yes. The Nebraska notary statute requires all notaries public to authenticate all official acts they perform with a Nebraska notary stamp (NRS §64-210).

The notary stamp of a Nebraska notary public must include the following:

1. The words "State of Nebraska”
2. The words “General Notary” or “General Notarial”
3. The name of the notary public as commissioned.
4. The notary’s commission expiration date.

Note: The Nebraska notary statute does not provide information on the shape, color, or dimensions of a notary seal.

The American Association of Notaries offers quality notary stamps and seals at savings of up to 40% or more compared to the cost of the same products elsewhere. Click here to order your Nebraska notary stamp, notary seal, complete notary package, and other notary supplies.

What are the steps to replace a lost or stolen Nebraska notary seal?

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Nebraska notary laws do not address this question. We recommend you contact the appropriate law enforcement agency and the Nebraska Secretary of State.

How much can a Nebraska notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

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The maximum allowable fees that a Nebraska notary public may charge for notarial acts are:

1. For each protest - $1.00; for recording the same - $2.00
2. For each notice of protest - $2.00
3. For taking affidavits and seal -$2.00
4. For administering an oath or affirmation - $2.00
5. For each certificate and seal - $5.00
6. For each mile traveled in serving notice - the rate established by the Department of Administrative Services.
7. For each online notarial act - $25.00

Is a notary journal required in Nebraska?

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Notary journal requirements for each type of notarization in Nebraska:

• Traditional Notarizations – Nebraska notaries are not required to maintain a notary journal; however, the secretary of state strongly encourages notaries to record all notarial acts performed. A journal can be maintained on a tangible medium or in an electronic format.  
• Electronic Notarizations – An electronic notary public is required to keep an electronic journal of all electronic notarizations performed.
• Online Notarizations – An online notary public is required to keep a secure electronic record of electronic documents notarized.

A notary journal (also known as a record book, log book, or register book) is your first line of defense in proving your innocence if a notarial act you performed is questioned or if you are requested to testify in a court of law about a notarial act you performed in the past. A properly recorded notarial act creates a paper trail that will help investigators locate and prosecute signers who have committed forgery and fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices.
 

The American Association of Notaries offers notary journals in tangible and electronic formats.

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal.

Click here to become a member and access our electronic notary journal.

What information must Nebraska notaries record in their notary journals?

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For Traditional Notarizations – If you choose to maintain a notary journal, the secretary of state recommends that you record the following:

1. The document date.
2. The date the notarial act was performed.
3. The type of document notarized.
4. The type of identification presented by the principal(s).
5. The printed name of each principal.
6. The address of each principal.
7. The signature of each principal.

For Electronic Notarizations – Although the state does not provide the exact details required to be recorded in an electronic journal, it is a best practice to record the same information as traditional notarizations.
 

For Online Notarizations – Nebraska requires online notaries to chronicle the following information in their notary journals:

1. The date and time of the online notarial act.
2. The type of online notarial act.
3. The type, title, or description of the electronic document or proceeding.
4. The printed name and address of each principal involved in the transaction or proceeding.
5. Evidence of identity of each principal involved in the transaction or proceeding in the form of:
   • A statement that the principal is personally known to the online notary public.
   • A notation of the type of identification document provided to the online notary public.
   • A record of the identity verification made under Nebraska Revised Statute 64-411.
   • The following:
     • The printed name and address of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the principal's identity.
     • For each credible witness not personally known to the online notary public, a description of the type of identification documents provided to the online notary public.
6. A recording of any video and audio conference of the performance of the online notarial act, which shall not contain images of the documents that were notarized.
7. The fee, if any, charged for the online notarial act.

What steps should I take if my Nebraska notary journal is lost or stolen?

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Since tangible notary journals are optional, Nebraska notary laws do not address this question. We recommend you contact the appropriate law enforcement agency to make a police report if the journal was stolen.

How long should I retain my Nebraska notary journal?

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Tangible Notary Journal: Nebraska notary laws do not address this question, since tangible notary journals are optional. We recommend you keep the tangible notary journal indefinitely.

Electronic Notary Journal: A Nebraska online or electronic notary public is to maintain the electronic notary journal and the backup record for at least ten years after the date of the last notarial act.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Nebraska?

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A Nebraska notary public has statewide jurisdiction and may perform notarial acts while physically present in any county in Nebraska. Likewise, a Nebraska notary public may not perform notarial acts outside of Nebraska.

What notarial acts can a Nebraska notary public perform?

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A Nebraska notary public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts:

1. Taking proof of execution and acknowledgments of instruments.
2. Administering oaths and affirmations.
3. Attesting documents.
4. Performing such other powers and duties as authorized by the law.

What type of notarizations are allowed in Nebraska?

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Nebraska law allows the following three types of notarizations:

Traditional notarization – This type of notarization requires the signer and the notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. Traditional notarization involves an individual signing a tangible document with an inked pen and a notary public signing and affixing an inked notary stamp impression to the tangible notarial certificate.

Electronic notarizations (in person) – This type of notarization requires the signer and the electronic notary to meet physically in the same room within face-to-face proximity of one another. However, the notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary seal, and an electronic notarial certificate.

Online notarizations – The signer appears remotely before an online notary via audio-visual communication technology. The notarization is performed on an electronic document using electronic signatures, an electronic notary seal, and an electronic notarial certificate.

What are the steps to become an electronic notary in Nebraska?

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To become an electronic notary public in Nebraska, a notary must:

1. Hold an existing Nebraska notary public commission.
2. Contract with an in-person electronic notary solution provider approved by the secretary of state.
3. Complete the In-Person Electronic Notary Training Course administered by the secretary of state.
4. Take and pass the In-Person Electronic Notary Exam administered by the secretary of state. You may use the training course, electronic notary public statutes and electronic notary public regulations to prepare for the notary exam.
5. Log in to your online portal and file an amendment to add in-person electronic notarization and pay the $100 filing fee. You will need to upload your exam certificate and any other supporting documents when submitting the amendment.
6. Once approved, print your approval letter and provide it to your solution provider to activate your account.
7. Set up your electronic seal through your selected approved solution provider.

If you are not a current notary public, you can apply to become a traditional notary and an electronic notary at the same time. Click here for more information on how to apply to become an electronic notary in Nebraska.

What are the steps to become an online notary in Nebraska?

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To become an online notary public in Nebraska a notary must:

1. Hold an existing Nebraska notary public commission.
2. Contract with an online notary solution provider approved by the secretary of state.
3. Complete the Online Notary Training Course administered by the secretary of state.
4. Take and pass the Online Notary Exam administered by the secretary of state. You may use the training course, online notary public statutes, and online notary public regulations to prepare for the notary exam.
5. Log in to your online portal and file an amendment to add online notarization and pay the $50.00 filing fee. You will need to upload your exam certificate and any other supporting documents when submitting the amendment.
6. Once approved, print your approval letter and provide it to your solution provider to activate your account.
7. Set up your electronic seal through your selected approved solution provider.

If you are not a current notary public, you can apply to become a traditional notary and an online notary at the same time. Click here for more information on how to apply to become an online notary in Nebraska.

How do I update my address on my Nebraska notary commission?

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If there is a change to a Nebraska notary public’s information on file, the notary public must report it to the Nebraska Secretary of State no later than forty-five days after the change. To file a change:

1. Log in to the Secretary of State’s Online Notary Portal.
2. Search for your name as it appears on your commission certificate.
3. Click on your name. A window should appear on the right-hand side.
4. Click on “File Amendment” and then select “Notary Public-Change of Public Record.”

How do I change my name on my notary commission in Nebraska?

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A Nebraska notary public whose name legally changes during their notary commission term has two options:

1. A Nebraska notary public may continue to act under their original notary public commission, seal, and name until the expiration or termination of such commission. The bond given by such a notary public shall continue in effect, regardless of such legal change of name, if the notary public uses the name under which the commission is issued.  
2. A Nebraska notary public may change the name on their Nebraska notary public commission. To change your name on your commission, follow these steps:
   • Obtain a new $15,000 notary bond under your new name.
   • Tak the oath of office (printed on the notary bond) in the presence of a notary public.
   • Log in to the Secretary of State’s Online Notary Portal and file an amendment to your notary commission.
   • Upload a PDF copy of your new bond and notarized oath of office.
   • Purchase a new notary seal once you receive notification from the secretary of state that your change of public record has been approved.

Revised:

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January 2024