Notary Public
Nebraska
Notary Public Commission Requirements
4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
Yes
Exam Required
85
$15,000
Bond Required
surety bond
Application Process
VerifiedStudy the notary materials provided free by the Nebraska Secretary of State.
Take and pass the 20-question online exam (85% passing score, up to 3 attempts).
Obtain a $15,000 surety bond from an incorporated surety company.
Sign the bond twice: once as principal and once before another notary for the oath of office.
Complete the online application at business.nebraska.gov.
Pay the $30 filing fee via credit/debit card or eCheck.
Submit the application and bond to the Secretary of State.
Upon commission, purchase a self-inking or pre-inked stamp meeting Nebraska requirements.
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
19 years old
Residency
Must reside in Nebraska or, if living in a bordering state, must work regularly in Nebraska with proof of employment.
Citizenship
U.S. citizen or qualified legal resident
Background Check
Not required
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Not RequiredNo formal education course, third-party courses, memberships, or certifications required. All necessary materials are provided free by the Secretary of State. Applicants must study on their own to pass the state exam.
Exam
RequiredWritten examination developed and administered by the Secretary of State. 20-question online exam covering laws, procedures, and ethics for notaries public. Up to three attempts allowed. Passing score of 85% required.
Passing score: 85
Administered by: Nebraska Secretary of State
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Required$15,000
$15,000 surety bond with an incorporated surety company. Must be executed, approved by, and filed with the Secretary of State. The applicant signs the bond twice: once as principal, and once in front of another notary when completing the oath of office.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredE&O insurance is not mentioned as a requirement in Nebraska statutes or SOS documentation.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredSelf-inking or pre-inked ink stamp required on all notarial acts. Must include: 'State of Nebraska', 'General Notary', commissioned name, and commission expiration date. Embossers are optional but cannot be used alone.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $30 |
Bond Premium Cost varies by bonding company for the 4-year, $15,000 surety bond. Processing fees may apply. | $30-$55 |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors | $20-$40 |
Total Estimated Cost Application ($30) + bond ($30-$55) + stamp ($20-$40). No education costs. | $80-$125 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Submit renewal application at business.nebraska.gov with fee. Renewal applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the date of expiration. Nebraska does not allow late renewals.
Renewal Fee
$30
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Legal since July 2020. Requires separate training, exam, and approval for RON authorization.
Additional Requirements
Additional $50 fee for RON approval. Must complete additional RON-specific training and exam. May charge additional $25 per remote notarization.
Important Notes
What Makes Nebraska Unique
Nebraska's minimum notary age is 19 (not 18) because Nebraska is one of only two states where the age of majority is 19. The state also has a strict no-late-renewal policy and provides all study materials free through the SOS.
Nebraska is one of only two U.S. states (along with Alabama) where the age of majority is 19, so the minimum notary age is 19 rather than the more common 18.
Nebraska does not require any third-party courses, memberships, or certifications; all materials are provided free by the SOS.
The exam has a relatively high passing score requirement of 85% and allows up to 3 attempts.
Nebraska does not allow late renewals. Renewal must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the expiration date.
The $15,000 surety bond is higher than average for U.S. states.
The bond must be signed twice by the applicant.
Embossers are optional and cannot be used alone; ink stamps are mandatory.