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Please read this first We work to keep state commissioning information current, but requirements, fees, and forms can change faster than we can update this page. Confirm every step with the Nebraska Secretary of State, Notary Division using the official links below before you apply. This article is a checklist, not legal advice. |
Overview
Nebraska commissions general notaries for a four-year term. Online notary public registration is a separate authorization that lets a currently commissioned notary notarize a document remotely, without the principal in the notary’s physical presence. In-person electronic notarization is a different registration and still requires physical presence.
Use this page as a checklist of where to go and what to complete. Follow the Secretary of State’s current instructions if anything here differs from the official site.
For a U.S. overview of remote online notary authorization, see the National Notary Association’s How to Become a Remote Online Notary. Follow the Nebraska Secretary of State, Notary Division’s instructions if anything differs.
Who Can Apply
To be commissioned as a Nebraska notary public, you must meet all of the following:
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Start Here: General Commission, Then Online Registration
You may apply for online notary registration while filing an initial commission, or add it later by amendment. Complete the SOS online-notary course and exam first.
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Read the official notary and online-notary pages Open Notary Public, Steps to Obtain an Initial Notary Commission, and Steps to Obtain an Online Notary Public Registration. |
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File the general notary commission at the online portal Use business.nebraska.gov. The filing fee is $30. |
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If you already hold a Nebraska commission, register as an online notary before the first remote session Complete the SOS course and exam, then file as Steps to Obtain an Online Notary Public Registration instructs. |
Part 1: Traditional Nebraska Notary Commission
Skip this section if you already hold an unexpired Nebraska notary public commission. You cannot complete online notary registration until you hold a valid commission (or file both together as the SOS allows).
Checklist
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Review the official how-to Steps to Obtain an Initial Notary Commission and Notary Public. |
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Complete traditional notary education Take and pass the Nebraska Notary Exam (20 questions; 85% passing score; three attempts). Save the digital passing certificate as a PDF. The passing score is valid 90 days. There is no separate SOS classroom-fee dollar amount listed on the steps PDF beyond the $30 filing fee. |
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Obtain a $15,000 surety bond Purchase a $15,000 notary surety bond. Use the name you will commission under. Sign as principal, and complete the oath of office before another notary. Errors and omissions insurance is optional and is not filed with the SOS. |
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Submit the traditional application File on business.nebraska.gov. Upload the exam certificate and bond. Pay the $30 filing fee by credit/debit card or eCheck. |
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Download the commission and order a stamp After approval, download the commission certificate and obtain an ink stamp with State of Nebraska, General Notary or General Notarial, your commissioned name, and the expiration date. |
Part 2: Online (RON) Commission
Online notary registration is not the same as in-person electronic notary registration. Use only an SOS-approved online notary solution provider. After approval you receive an approval letter (not a separate registration certificate) to give your provider.
Have these ready
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Checklist
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Read the official online-notary instructions Steps to Obtain an Online Notary Public Registration, Chapter 8 – Online Notary Public, and Notary Public. |
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Complete online notary education Complete the SOS Online Notary Training Course, then the Online Notary Exam on ClassMarker (password Nebraska). Twenty questions; 85% to pass; three attempts. Save the passing certificate as a PDF. The passing score is valid 90 days. |
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Start the online commission application Log into business.nebraska.gov and complete the Online Notary Public process. Upload the exam certificate and any other supporting PDFs. |
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Sign with a digital certificate Obtain and pay for remote notary technology directly with the selected approved provider. The SOS filing fee is separate from provider charges. |
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Upload your electronic seal Nebraska’s SOS filing is the portal registration plus the exam PDF. Complete seal setup with the provider after you download the approval letter. |
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Pay and submit The SOS filing fee is $50. Wait for the processed-application email, then download the approval letter and give it to your provider before remote sessions. |
After You Are Commissioned
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Do not perform a remote online notarization until the portal shows the online notary registration is processed and your approved provider has authorized your account.
Fees Listed by the Secretary of State
Traditional amounts are from Steps to Obtain an Initial Notary Commission. The $50 online-notary fee is from Steps to Obtain an Online Notary Public Registration. Confirm them there before you pay. Bond premiums and platform fees are extra.
| Item | Listed amount |
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| Traditional notary exam | No separate SOS exam dollar amount listed on the steps PDF |
| Online notary training course and exam | SOS-administered (no separate course dollar amount listed on the online-notary steps PDF) |
| Traditional application (new or renewal) | $30 |
| Online notary registration | $50 |
| Surety bond | $15,000 coverage (premium paid to the surety) |
Official Nebraska Links
| Resource | Where to go |
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| Notary Public | sos.nebraska.gov/business-services/notary-public |
| Steps to become an online notary | sos.nebraska.gov/.../StepstoBecomeanOnlineNotary.pdf |
| Approved online notary solution providers | sos.nebraska.gov/.../ApprovedOnlineNotarySolutionProviders.pdf |
| Notary Division | (402) 471-2558 | [email protected] / [email protected] |
Common Questions
Q: Can I apply for the online commission first?
A: You must hold a valid Nebraska notary commission. You may apply for online notary registration while applying for an initial commission, or add it later by amendment.
Q: Does Nebraska approve a list of RON platforms?
A: Yes. Use an approved online notary solution provider. In-person electronic notary providers are a separate list. The SOS does not treat either list as an endorsement of one vendor.
Q: Where can I confirm a fee or form changed?
A: Use Notary Public and Steps to Obtain an Online Notary Public Registration.
Last Updated: August 26, 2026 | Author: Customer Success Team | Version: v1.0
