What statute governs Nebraska acknowledgment forms?

Neb. Rev. Stat. 64-206 sets the Statutory Short Forms of Acknowledgment, part of the Uniform Recognition of Acknowledgments Act.

Can a Nebraska notary choose the certificate for you?

No. A notary who is not an attorney may not determine the type of notarial act or certificate when wording is not provided on the document.

Does the signer sign in front of the Nebraska notary?

Not for an acknowledgment. The document may be pre-signed, but the signer must appear before the notary and be identified to acknowledge it.

How long is a Nebraska notary commission?

Four years, commissioned by the Secretary of State, with a fifteen thousand dollar surety bond and a written examination required.

Nebraska Notary Acknowledgment: Free Fillable Form, Wording & Seal Rules

This content is educational and informational, not legal advice. The wording reflects Nebraska Revised Statutes section 64-206, but the law can change and other forms are permitted. Confirm the current form with the Nebraska Secretary of State before relying on it.

Quick answer: A Nebraska acknowledgment certifies that a named person appeared and acknowledged signing an instrument. The statutory short form in Neb. Rev. Stat. 64-206 reads "The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this (date) by (name)." The venue names the state and county. Nebraska has a quirk in its seal: it must read "State of Nebraska, General Notary." Fill the certificate below and copy or print it.

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Fillable Nebraska acknowledgment certificate

Enter the details and the certificate updates live with the statutory Nebraska wording. Copy or print it, then attach it to your document. The notary completes and signs the final certificate after verifying identity; this tool just prepares the correct form.

What is the exact Nebraska acknowledgment wording?

Nebraska's individual short form under Neb. Rev. Stat. 64-206 uses the traditional "foregoing instrument" phrasing, with the venue naming the state and county.

State of Nebraska
County of ______

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ______ (date) by ____________ (name of person acknowledged).

___________________________________
Signature of Notary Public
(General Notary seal, State of Nebraska)
My commission expires: ______

What must a Nebraska notary seal say?

A Nebraska notary's official ink stamp must read "State of Nebraska, General Notary" or "State of Nebraska, General Notarial," along with the notary's name as commissioned and the commission expiration date. The phrase "General Notary" surprises people, but it distinguishes an ordinary statewide commission from limited historic categories, and the exact words belong on the stamp. A notary must authenticate every official act with this seal. On renewal, or after a name change, the notary buys a new stamp engraved with the current required information.

What must a Nebraska acknowledgment include?

A Nebraska acknowledgment must include the state and county venue, the date, the signer's name, and the notary's signature, official General Notary seal, and commission expiration date. The notary determines identity before completing the certificate and cannot notarize their own signature. The certificate, called an attestation clause in Nebraska guidance, states what the notary attests, and a notary simply signing and sealing a document with no such clause does not perform a valid notarial act.

Element	What goes there
Venue	State of Nebraska and the county
Date	The date the instrument was acknowledged
Signer	Name of the person acknowledged
Notary	Signature, General Notary seal, commission expiration

Can a Nebraska notary tell you which certificate to use?

No. If a document has no certificate wording, a Nebraska notary who is not an attorney may not determine the type of notarial act or the certificate to use, under Neb. Rev. Stat. 64-105.03. The Secretary of State directs the notary to point out that the document lacks an attestation clause, suggest the signer may want an attorney to review it, and, if the signer is comfortable deciding, show the statutory short forms and ask whether one fits. The choice belongs to the signer, not the notary.

Who commissions notaries in Nebraska?

The Secretary of State commissions Nebraska notaries for a four-year term, after the applicant passes a written examination, files a fifteen thousand dollar surety bond, and pays a thirty dollar fee. A notary may act anywhere in the state and must renew before the commission expires, because letting it lapse means starting over with a new application and exam. The bond protects the public, and a person harmed by a notary's failure to perform faithfully can recover against it.

Nebraska acknowledgment: frequently asked questions

What statute governs Nebraska acknowledgment forms?: Neb. Rev. Stat. 64-206 sets the Statutory Short Forms of Acknowledgment, part of the Uniform Recognition of Acknowledgments Act.
What must a Nebraska notary seal say?: "State of Nebraska, General Notary" or "State of Nebraska, General Notarial," plus the notary's name as commissioned and the commission expiration date.
Can a Nebraska notary choose the certificate for you?: No. A notary who is not an attorney may not determine the type of notarial act or certificate when wording is not provided on the document.
Does the signer sign in front of the Nebraska notary?: Not for an acknowledgment. The document may be pre-signed, but the signer must appear before the notary and be identified to acknowledge it.
How long is a Nebraska notary commission?: Four years, commissioned by the Secretary of State, with a fifteen thousand dollar surety bond and a written examination required.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Nebraska Revised Statutes sections 64-105.03, 64-206 and Chapter 64 (Nebraska Legislature); the Nebraska Secretary of State sample notary acknowledgements and Notary Public Handbook. Confirm current wording before relying on it.