Nebraska Notary Public Exam Overview
The Nebraska Notary Public Exam is administered on behalf of the Nebraska Secretary of State. Nebraska has a unique requirement that notaries must be 19 years old (not 18 like most states), and Nebraska notaries have special authority to take depositions.
Passing this exam qualifies you to become a Nebraska Notary Public—serving nearly 2 million residents in the Cornhusker State with strong demand in agriculture, real estate, and legal services.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 30 multiple-choice |
| Time Limit | 45 minutes |
| Passing Score | 70% (21 correct answers) |
| Exam Fee | $25 |
| Education Required | Not required (self-study) |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Surety Bond | $15,000 required |
Why Become a Nebraska Notary?
- Deposition authority — Can take depositions (unique power)
- Lower passing threshold — Only 70% required
- No pre-education — Study on your own schedule
- Agricultural sector — Strong farm and ranch document needs
- Low exam fee — Only $25 to take the exam
📚 Start Your FREE Nebraska Notary Exam Prep
Ready to begin studying? Our comprehensive, completely free Nebraska Notary exam prep covers everything you need to pass. The National Notary Association is also an excellent resource for notary education and supplies.
Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Notary Fundamentals (25%)
Commission Requirements:
- Must be 19 years or older (unique to Nebraska)
- Nebraska resident
- United States citizen or lawful resident
- No disqualifying criminal history
- Apply through the Secretary of State
Appointment Process:
- Submit application to Secretary of State
- Pay application fee
- Take and file oath of office
- Obtain $15,000 surety bond (higher than most states)
- Commission begins upon filing
Oath of Office:
- Must take oath before authorized official
- Filed with the county clerk
- Swear to faithfully perform duties
- Commission not valid until oath filed
2. Types of Notarial Acts (30%)
Acknowledgments:
- Signer acknowledges signing voluntarily
- Most common notarial act
- Used for deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney
- No oath required
Jurats:
- Signer swears or affirms content is true
- Must sign in notary's presence
- Notary administers oath or affirmation
- Common for affidavits
Oaths and Affirmations:
- Administered for various purposes
- May be verbal without document
- Used for oaths of office, witness oaths
- Affirmation for religious objections
Depositions (Unique to Nebraska):
- Nebraska notaries can take depositions
- Record sworn testimony
- Used in legal proceedings
- Special authority not available in all states
3. Nebraska Revised Statutes Chapter 64 (25%)
Key Legal Provisions:
- Section 64-101 — Appointment of notaries
- Section 64-102 — Qualifications
- Section 64-105 — Powers and duties
- Section 64-107 — Deposition authority
- Section 64-113 — Fees
Prohibited Acts:
- Cannot notarize your own signature
- Cannot act with financial interest
- Cannot certify vital records
- Cannot practice law
- Cannot notarize incomplete documents
Penalties for Misconduct:
- Commission revocation
- Civil liability
- Criminal charges for fraud
- Fines and penalties
4. Identification and Procedures (15%)
Satisfactory Evidence:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Valid and unexpired
- Nebraska driver's license or ID
- U.S. passport
- Military ID
Personal Knowledge:
- Notary personally knows the signer
- Based on long-term familiarity
- Most reliable form of identification
- Should document basis
Credible Witness:
- Credible witness who knows signer
- Witness must present acceptable ID
- Used when signer lacks ID
- Witness swears to signer's identity
5. Records and Fees (5%)
Journal Requirements:
- Journal recommended but not required
- Many notaries keep voluntary records
- Helpful for liability protection
- Best practice for all notaries
Nebraska Fee Schedule:
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $5 |
| Jurat | $5 |
| Oath or affirmation | $5 |
| Deposition | $7 per 100 words |
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Notary fundamentals and appointment | 3-4 |
| Week 1-2 | Types of notarial acts (including depositions) | 4-5 |
| Week 2 | Chapter 64 provisions | 4-5 |
| Week 2-3 | Identification and procedures | 3-4 |
| Week 3 | Fees and prohibited acts | 2-3 |
| Week 3-4 | Practice exams and review | 3-4 |
Total recommended study time: 19-25 hours
🎯 Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the Nebraska Notary exam.
Nebraska-Specific Exam Tips
1. Remember the Age 19 Requirement
Nebraska is unique:
- Must be 19 years old (not 18)
- Higher than most states
- Know this for the exam
- Common exam question
2. Understand Deposition Authority
Nebraska notaries have special powers:
- Can take depositions
- Record sworn testimony
- Used in legal proceedings
- Know the fee structure ($7 per 100 words)
3. Know the Higher Bond Requirement
Nebraska requires a larger bond:
- $15,000 surety bond (vs. $10,000 in most states)
- Higher protection requirement
- Affects startup costs
- Must remain current
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | Nebraska Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passing score | 70% (21/30) |
| Minimum age | 19 years |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Bond amount | $15,000 |
| Max fee per act | $5 |
| Exam fee | $25 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting age 19 requirement — Not 18 like most states
- Skipping Chapter 64 — Core of the exam
- Ignoring deposition authority — Unique to Nebraska
- Underestimating bond amount — $15,000, not $10,000
- Not practicing enough — Short exam requires precision
- Assuming all states are similar — Know Nebraska-specific rules
After Passing Your Exam
- Complete application to Secretary of State
- Pay application fee to state
- Obtain $15,000 surety bond from approved provider
- Take oath of office before authorized official
- File oath and bond with county clerk
- Obtain notary stamp meeting state requirements
- Begin your notary practice — Commission valid 4 years
2026 Nebraska Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Remote Online Notarization developments
- Electronic notarization updates
- Chapter 64 amendments
- Fee schedule reviews
Start Your Nebraska Notary Career Today
The Nebraska Notary Public commission offers unique deposition authority not available in most states, along with a manageable 70% passing threshold. With proper preparation, you can pass the exam on your first attempt.
Our free study materials include:
- ✅ Complete topic coverage
- ✅ Practice questions with explanations
- ✅ Chapter 64 specifics
- ✅ Deposition authority coverage
- ✅ AI-powered study assistance
Don't pay for expensive prep courses when everything you need is available FREE.