To become a notary public in Nebraska, follow these steps:
- Meet Eligibility Requirements:
- Be at least 19 years old.
- Be a resident of Nebraska or a resident of a bordering state with evidence of Nebraska employment.
- Be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien.
- Be able to read and write English.
- Have no felony or fraud-related convictions within the past five years
- Pass the Nebraska Notary Exam:
- Study the Nebraska Notary Statutes, Rules, and Regulations.
- Pass the exam with a score of at least 85%. You can retake the exam up to three times if needed
- Purchase a $15,000 Surety Bond:
- Nebraska requires a four-year $15,000 notary bond to protect the public.
- The bond must be executed by an incorporated surety company and filed with the Secretary of State
- Complete and Submit Your Application:
- Fill out the Application for Notary Commission and U.S. Citizenship Attestation Form.
- Take the oath of office in front of a Nebraska notary (signature on the application must be notarized).
- Submit your application, proof of bond, $30 filing fee, and supporting documents to the Nebraska Secretary of State.
- Non-residents must also submit evidence of Nebraska employment
- Receive Your Commission Certificate:
- After approval (which takes about 10-14 days), download your commission certificate from the Secretary of State’s website
- Purchase Your Notary Stamp and Supplies:
- Nebraska law requires a notary stamp with:
- The words “State of Nebraska”
- The words “General Notary” or “General Notarial”
- Your commissioned name
- Your commission expiration date
- Notary commissions last four years
- Nebraska law requires a notary stamp with:
Additional notes:
- Training courses are not mandatory, but preparation for the exam is recommended.
- Notaries may also apply to become electronic or online notaries by completing additional training and filing amendments
This process ensures you are legally authorized to perform notarizations anywhere in Nebraska
