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
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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.
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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.
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- ✅ Complete topic coverage
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- ✅ Chapter 64 specifics
- ✅ Deposition authority coverage
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