How old do you have to be to be a Nebraska notary?

At least 19, the age of majority in Nebraska, rather than 18 as in most states. You also need no disqualifying convictions in the past five years.

Do you need a bond to be a Nebraska notary?

Yes, a $15,000 surety bond signed as principal and with a notarized oath of office. Errors and omissions insurance is optional.

Can you renew a Nebraska commission after it expires?

No. There is no grace period, so a lapse means reapplying from scratch, including the exam and a new bond and seal.

What must a Nebraska notary stamp show?

An ink stamp with General Notary, State of Nebraska, your name, your commission expiration date, and the state capitol image.

How to Become a Notary in Nebraska (2026): The Take-Home Exam, Bond & Cost

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Nebraska notary rules are set in the Nebraska Notary Public Act and can change, so confirm the details with the Nebraska Secretary of State before you apply. We link to official resources; we never sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Nebraska you must be 19, not 18, and a Nebraska resident or work in the state. You post a $15,000 bond with a notarized oath, pass a take-home exam at 85%, and apply online with a $30 fee. The commission lasts four years with no grace period, so if it lapses you start over. Use the checklist below to total your cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Nebraska?

Becoming a Nebraska notary usually costs $70 to $110, and the exam itself is free. The fixed state charge is the $30 application fee, and the $15,000 bond runs about $30 to $50 for the four-year term. The rest is a small fee to notarize your oath and your required ink stamp. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Nebraska?

You become a Nebraska notary by bonding, passing the take-home exam, and applying online. The steps, in order, are:

Get a $15,000 bond and sign the oath. Buy the bond using your legal name and home address, sign it as principal, then sign the oath of office before another notary who notarizes it.
Request and pass the exam. The Secretary of State sends a take-home exam by email or mail; complete it and score at least 85%, covered on our Nebraska notary exam page.
Prepare your forms. Complete the U.S. Citizenship Attestation Form, and the Evidence of Employment form too if you live in a bordering state.
Apply online with the $30 fee. Log in to the Secretary of State portal, upload your exam certificate and notarized bond, and pay the fee.
Get your stamp. Once approved, download your commission certificate and order a compliant ink stamp before you notarize.

How does the Nebraska notary exam work?

Nebraska uses a take-home written exam that the Secretary of State sends you by email or mail, rather than a proctored test at a center. You must score at least 85% to pass, you get three attempts, and failing all three makes you ineligible to become a Nebraska notary, so it is not a test to take lightly. A passing score is valid for 90 days, within which you must complete your application; prepare with our Nebraska notary practice test before you start.

What happens if your Nebraska notary commission expires?

Nebraska has no grace period, so if your four-year commission lapses even by a single day you must start over as a new applicant, including retaking the exam and obtaining a new bond and seal. This is stricter than most states, which allow a renewal window after expiration. To avoid it, renew within the 30-day window before your expiration date and mark the deadline well ahead, since a lapse erases your authority entirely until you requalify.

What are the requirements to become a Nebraska notary?

The Nebraska requirements include one detail that surprises applicants: you must be at least 19, since that is the age of majority in Nebraska, not 18. You must also be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien, a Nebraska resident or a bordering-state resident who works in Nebraska, with no felony or crime of dishonesty in the past five years. You carry a $15,000 bond, file a U.S. Citizenship Attestation Form, and use an ink stamp that shows "General Notary," "State of Nebraska," your name, your expiration date, and the state capitol image.

How do you renew or notarize online in Nebraska?

You renew through the Secretary of State's online portal with a new $15,000 bond, a notarized oath, and the $30 fee, but only before expiration, since there is no late renewal. Nebraska has allowed remote online notarization since July 2020 through a separate process: hold an active commission, complete RON training, pass a RON exam, choose an approved platform, and pay a $50 fee. You must be physically in Nebraska during a remote act, while the signer can be elsewhere.

Becoming a Nebraska notary: frequently asked questions

How old do you have to be to be a Nebraska notary?: At least 19, the age of majority in Nebraska, rather than 18 as in most states. You also need no disqualifying convictions in the past five years.
How does the Nebraska notary exam work?: It is a take-home exam the Secretary of State sends you, requiring 85% to pass. You get three attempts; failing all three makes you ineligible.
Do you need a bond to be a Nebraska notary?: Yes, a $15,000 surety bond signed as principal and with a notarized oath of office. Errors and omissions insurance is optional.
Can you renew a Nebraska commission after it expires?: No. There is no grace period, so a lapse means reapplying from scratch, including the exam and a new bond and seal.
What must a Nebraska notary stamp show?: An ink stamp with "General Notary," "State of Nebraska," your name, your commission expiration date, and the state capitol image.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Nebraska Secretary of State, Notary Division and Steps to Obtain an Initial Notary Commission; Nebraska Notary Public Act. Confirm current fees and steps with the Nebraska Secretary of State before applying.