How to Become a Notary in Nevada

How do I renew my notary commission in Nevada?

Nevada notaries are required once more to successfully complete a three-hour notary training class and pass an exam (NRS 240.018[3][b]). Before his or her commission expiration date, a Nevada notary must apply for reappointment and follow the same procedures as for the initial application for appointment.

Who appoints notaries in Nevada?

The Secretary of State processes notary applications, issues notary commissions, maintains all records regarding notaries, and processes registrations for electronic notaries. To contact the Secretary of State, use the following information:

Nevada Secretary of State
Notary Division
202 North Carson Street
Carson City, Nevada 89701
Phone: (775) 684-5708
Email: nvnotary@sos.nv.gov
Website: https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/licensing/notary

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

Yes. A resident of a state bordering Nevada who is regularly employed or maintains a place of business in Nevada may apply to become a Nevada notary public (NRS 240.015[3]). A nonresident must:

1. Satisfy the same qualifications as Nevada residents.

2. Follow the same application procedures as Nevada residents.

3. Submit these affidavits:

• A “Non-Resident Notary Public Affidavit.”
• An “Affidavit of Applicant’s Employer” completed by their employer or an “Affidavit of Self-Employed Applicant” if the non-resident is self-employed.

4. Provide a copy of the Nevada State Business License of the applicant’s employer or a copy of any business license required by local government where the business is located if the applicant is self-employed.

If a nonresident notary ceases to be regularly employed or maintain a place of business in Nevada, the Secretary of State may suspend the notary’s appointment. The Secretary of State may reinstate an appointment suspended if the nonresident notary submits to the Secretary of State the required information before the notary’s commission expires. A nonresident notary must submit to the Secretary of State annually, within thirty days before the anniversary date of appointment as a notary public, a copy of his or her employer’s state business license or a copy of any license required by the local government where the business is located if self-employed (NRS 240.031). The only states that qualify as a bordering state are California, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, and Arizona.

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

The commission term of a Nevada notary public is four years commencing with the date of appointment. However, a notary’s commission may be rendered void:

1. By resignation, death, or revocation.
2. When a notary ceases to reside in Nevada or when a nonresident notary ceases to be regularly employed or maintain a place of business in Nevada.

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

Yes. All new applicants for appointment as notaries public and renewing notaries are required to successfully complete a three-hour notary course of study and pass an examination relating to the functions and duties of notaries public (NRS 240.018). The mandatory course of study and examination may be conducted in person or online by the Secretary of State’s Notary Division or a vendor approved by the Secretary of State. After successfully completing the mandatory course and examination, an applicant must include with his or her application of appointment as notary public a certificate of successful completion of a notary course that contains a validation stamp from the Secretary of State, which is valid for ninety days after the date of its issuance. The three-hour online notary training class and exam provided by the Secretary of State’s Notary Division is $45. A notary public who registers with the Secretary of State as an electronic notary for the first time must successfully complete an additional course of study on electronic notarizations before filing his or her registration. A certificate of successful completion for the mandatory training relating to electronic notarizations must also be included in the registration process, which is valid for ninety days after the date of its issuance.

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

A Nevada notary applicant’s expenses include:

1. A $35 application fee to process an application for appointment or reappointment.
2. A $45 notary training class and exam.
3. A $10,000 surety bond.
4. A Nevada notary journal to record all notarial acts.
5. A Nevada notary stamp.
6. An E&O insurance policy if a notary wishes to obtain one for his or her own personal legal and financial protection.

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

A notary errors and omissions insurance policy is optional in Nevada. The American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that Nevada notaries public obtain errors and omissions insurance policies for their personal protection against liability. Errors and omission insurance is designed to protect notaries public from liability against unintentional notarial mistakes or omissions that result in financial damages to the public or a document signer. An E&O policy customarily covers legal fees and damages based on the coverage a Nevada notary public selects.

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

Yes. A surety bond in the amount of $10,000 is required for all new applicants seeking appointments as notaries public and for renewing notaries in Nevada. The surety bond must be issued by a surety company qualified and authorized to do business in Nevada. Before submitting an online application for appointment as a notary public, an applicant must file a $10,000 surety bond with the county clerk of his or her county of residence or, if the applicant is a resident of a bordering state, with the county clerk of the county in which the applicant maintains a place of business or is regularly employed.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Nevada?

Yes. Nevada notary law requires all Nevada notaries to use a Nevada notary stamp that is imprinted in indelible, photographically reproducible ink with a rubber or other mechanical stamp to authenticate all notarial acts (NRS 240.040). Section 240.040 of the Nevada Revised Statutes provides the legal specifications regarding the layout and the information required on a notary stamp.

Dimensions: The notary stamp must be a rectangle, not larger than 1 inch by 2 ½ inches and produce a legible imprint. It may contain a border design.

Required Elements: The notary stamp must contain the following components:

• The name of the notary public
• The phrase “Notary Public, State of Nevada”
• The date on which the appointment of the notary public expires
• The number of the certificate of appointment of the notary public
• If the notary public so desires, the Great Seal of the State of Nevada
• If the notary public is a resident of an adjoining state, the word “nonresident”

A mechanical stamp includes an imprint made by a computer or other similar technology (NRS 240.040[6]). Nevada notaries are prohibited from affixing their notary stamps over printed material. A notary is required to immediately notify the Secretary of State if his or her notary stamp is lost, destroyed, broken, damaged, or otherwise inoperable. An electronic notary may use an electronic signature and electronic seal only for performing electronic notarial acts

To order a Nevada notary stamp, notary seal, complete notary package, and notary supplies please visit the American Association of Notaries website, or call 713-644-2299.

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

Nevada notary fees are set by statute (NRS 240.100). The maximum allowable fees that a Nevada notary public can charge for notarial acts are listed below:

• Taking an acknowledgment (for the first signature of each signer) - $15.00
• For each additional signature of each signer - $7.50
• For a jurat, for each signature on the affidavit - $15.00
• For administering an oath or affirmation without a signature - $7.50
• For a certified copy - $7.50
• Performing a marriage ceremony - $75.00

A notary public may charge an additional fee for traveling to perform a notarial act if:

1. The person requesting the notarial act asks the notary public to travel.
2. The notary public explains to the person requesting the notarial act that the fee is in addition to the fee authorized by law and that the travel fee is not required by law.
3. The person requesting the notarial act agrees in advance upon the hourly rate that the notary public will charge for the additional fee.
4. The additional fee does not exceed:

• $10.00 per hour if the person requesting the notarial act asks the notary public to travel between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• $25.00 per hour if the person requesting the notarial act asks the notary public to travel between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m..

The notary public may charge a minimum of two hours for such travel and shall charge on a pro rata basis after the first two hours.

If Nevada notaries charge fees for notarial acts, they must post a table of fees in some conspicuous place in their office, and the print must not be smaller than ½-inch type. Without such a posting, Nevada notaries may not charge a fee for their notarial acts.

An electronic notary public may charge $25 for each electronic notarial act performed (NRS 240.197). An electronic notary may charge an additional fee for traveling to perform an electronic notarial act [NRS 240.197 (d)].

Note: If a notary wishes to engage in the business of a document preparation service, he or she must be registered by the Secretary of State pursuant to requirements provided in NRS 240A.100 and must pay a $100 nonrefundable application fee and cash or surety bond. (For more information on the registration requirements, see NRS 240A.100, https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/81st2021/Bills/AB/AB245.pdf as amended.)

Is a notary journal required in Nevada?

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.

 

Notary journal requirements in Nevada:

• Traditional Notarizations – A notary public is required to keep a journal in which they enter each notarial act performed. A journal must be in a bound volume with preprinted page numbers.
• Electronic Notarizations (in person and via audio-video communication) – A Nevada notary public is required to maintain an electronic notary journal to record all electronic notarial acts performed.

The American Association of Notaries offers a wide variety of notary journals.

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal.

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

What information must Nevada notaries record in their notary journals?

Nevada requires notaries to chronicle the following information in their notary journals:

• For Traditional Notarizations:

1. The fees charged, if any.
2. The title of the document.
3. The date on which the notary public performed the act.
4. Except as otherwise provided below, the name and signature of the person whose signature is being notarized.
   • When performing a notarial act for a person, a notary public need not require the person to sign the journal if:
     i)  The notary public has performed a notarial act for the person within the previous 6 months.
     ii) The notary public has personal knowledge of the identity of the person.
     iii) The person is an employer or coworker of the notary public, and the notarial act relates to a transaction performed in the ordinary course of the person’s business.
   • If a notary public does not require a person to sign the journal, the notary public shall enter “known personally” as the description required to be entered into the journal.
5. A description of the evidence used by the notary public to verify the identification of the person whose signature is being notarized.
   • If the notary verifies the identification of the person whose signature is being notarized on the basis of a credible witness, the notary public shall:
     i)  Require the witness to sign the journal in the space provided for the description of the evidence used.
     ii) Make a notation in the journal that the witness is a credible witness.
6. An indication of whether the notary public administered an oath.
7. The type of certificate used to evidence the notarial act, as required pursuant to NRS 240.1655.

 

• For Electronic Notarizations (in-person or via audio-video communication):

1. The fees charged, if any.
2. The title of the document.
3. The date on which the notary public performed the act.
4. The name of the person whose signature is being notarized.
5. A description of the evidence used by the notary public to verify the identification of the person whose signature is being notarized. 
   • If the notary verifies the identification of the person whose signature is being notarized on the basis of a credible witness, the notary public shall:
     i)  Require the witness to sign the journal in the space provided for the description of the evidence used.
     ii) Make a notation in the journal that the witness is a credible witness.
6. An indication of whether the notary public administered an oath.
7. The type of certificate used to evidence the notarial act.
8. Describe the electronic notarial act.
9. Specify whether the electronic notarial act was performed using audio-video communication.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Nevada?

Nevada notaries have statewide jurisdiction and must be physically within the geographic borders of the state of Nevada. Likewise, Nevada notaries public may not perform notarial acts outside of Nevada.

What notarial acts can a Nevada notary public perform?

A Nevada notary public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts (NRS 240.004):

• Taking an acknowledgment
• Administering an oath or affirmation
• Executing a jurat
• Noting a protest of a negotiable instrument
• Certifying a copy
• Performing such other duties as may be prescribed by a specific statute
• Performing marriages (only notaries with certificate of permission from a county clerk)

Can I perform electronic notarizations in Nevada?

Yes. The State of Nevada enacted the Electronic Notary Public Authorization Act (“Electronic Notarization Enabling Act,” NRS 240.181 through 240.206), allowing electronic notaries to obtain an electronic signature and electronic seal to notarize electronic documents in the physical presence of the individual seeking the notarization like a traditional/pen and paper notarization. Before a notary public performs his or her initial electronic notarization, the notary must register with the Secretary of State as an electronic notary to perform electronic notarizations.

Can I perform remote online notarizations in Nevada?

Yes. Effective July 1, 2018, the Electronic Notarization Enabling Act allows Nevada notaries to perform electronic notarizations using an audio-video communication technology approved by the Secretary of State (NRS 240.181 through 240.206). Before a Nevada notary public performs an initial electronic notarization by means of audio-video communication, he or she must first successfully complete an additional three-hour course of study on electronic notarization, pass the examination, and file a registration with the Secretary of State as an electronic notary.

What is the process to become an online notary in Nevada?

To be eligible to perform electronic notarizations, a Nevada notary must:

1. Sign-in to an existing account at the Silver Flume portal.
2. Submit the electronic notary training course registration with a $45 fee.
3. Submit the online registration with a $50 fee.
4. Complete the electronic notary training course and pass the exam.
5. Obtain an electronic signature and seal from an approved eNotary technology solution provider.
6. Upload a PDF file containing the electronic signature and seal to complete registration.
7. Provide a description of the audio-video communication technology that he or she intends to use to perform electronic notarial acts.
8. Provide all the required information.

Once the registration is approved, an e-notary must comply with all the requirements and duties set forth in the Electronic Notarization Enabling Act. The electronic notary registration runs concurrently with the traditional notary commission.

Moreover, when performing an electronic notarization by means of audio-video communication, an e-notary shall comply with the legal notarial requirements including:

1. The audio-video communication technology used must allow the persons communicating to see and speak to each other simultaneously.
2. The signal transmission must be in real time.
3. The e-notary must be physically located in Nevada, even though the principal may be geographically located in any state or country but visually in the presence of the e-notary through the use of audio-visual communication.
4. The principal’s identity must be established based on satisfactory evidence of identity.
5. The e-notary must complete a notarial certificate that states that the notarial act was performed remotely.
6. The e-notary must record the remote notarization in a journal.
7. The e-notary must retain an audio recording of the remote notarization.

Can I perform remote ink notarizations (RIN) in Nevada?

No. Notaries in Nevada are not allowed to perform remote ink notarizations.

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

A Nevada notary public that has any changes in his or her mailing address, county of residence, or signature—or a nonresident notary that has any changes in his or her place of business or employment—must submit a request for an amended certificate of appointment to the Secretary of State on a prescribed form within thirty days of such change with a $10 filing fee. Failure to submit the request for an amended certificate of appointment to the Secretary of State within the thirty-day period may result in the suspension of a notary’s commission. For every amended certificate of appointment, a Nevada notary is required to obtain a new notary stamp that reflects the new information. To download the Request for Amended Certificate of Appointment or E-Notary Registration form, visit the Secretary of State website at https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/licensing/notary/forms-fees.

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

If a notary public changes his or her name during the notary’s appointment term and the notary intends to use his or her new name in the performance of notarial acts, the notary must submit to the Secretary of State a request for an amended certificate of appointment on a prescribed form within thirty days of the name change. The notary’s request must include the notary’s new name, signature, and his or her address with a $10 filing fee. When the Nevada notary receives the amended certificate of appointment from the Secretary of State, the notary must destroy the old notary stamp and obtain a new notary stamp with the new information. Moreover, the notary public must notify the surety company that issued his or her bond of the name change. To download the Request for Amended Certificate of Appointment or E-Notary Registration form, visit the Secretary of State website at https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/licensing/notary/forms-fees.

Revised:

December 2021