Preparing for the Nebraska notary public examination requires understanding Nebraska Revised Statutes sections 64-101 through 64-216, the core legal framework governing notarial acts in the state. This free printable PDF gives you realistic practice questions covering every topic tested on the official exam administered through the Nebraska Secretary of State's office. Practice with the free Nebraska Notary practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).
Whether you're applying for your first notary commission or renewing after your four-year term, downloading and printing this PDF lets you study offline at your own pace — on a break, during a commute, or anywhere away from a screen. Work through the questions, check your answers, and identify the law sections you need to review before test day.
Interactive Nebraska Notary Exam resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
Facts verified Oct 18, 2026 against Nebraska Secretary of State – Notary Division. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 20 questions | Nebraska Secretary of State – Notary Division |
| Passing score | 85% | Nebraska Secretary of State – Notary Division |
| Exam fee | $30 filing fee, plus a $15,000 surety bond | Nebraska Secretary of State – Notary Division |
| Validity | Passing score valid 90 days | Nebraska Secretary of State – Notary Division |
| Renewal | 4-year term; renew online no earlier than 30 days before expiration ($30 fee, new $15,000 bond) | Nebraska Secretary of State – Notary Division |
| Delivery | Online via ClassMarker | Nebraska Secretary of State – Notary Division |
| Eligibility | Age 19+, U.S. citizen or qualified alien, Nebraska resident or regular place of work in Nebraska while living in a bordering state, no felony or fraud/dishonesty conviction in the past 5 years | Nebraska Secretary of State – Notary Division |
| Score release | Digital certificate issued on passing | Nebraska Secretary of State – Notary Division |
Facts verified Oct 18, 2026 against Nebraska Secretary of State – Notary Division. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Nebraska notary law is governed by Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 64-101 through 64-216, which codify the Nebraska Notary Public Act. These statutes define who may serve as a notary, what acts a notary may perform, how notarial certificates must be worded, and what penalties apply for misconduct. Every exam question traces back to this statutory framework, so familiarity with the specific section numbers — not just the concepts — strengthens your performance on the test.
Nebraska law recognizes five core notarial acts. An acknowledgment confirms that a signer personally appeared before the notary and acknowledged executing the document. An oath or affirmation binds a person to truthfulness, used in affidavits and sworn statements. A jurat certifies that the signer appeared in person, signed the document in the notary's presence, and swore or affirmed that the contents are true. Copy certification attests that a copy of a document is a true and accurate reproduction of the original. Signature witnessing verifies that a person signed a document in the notary's presence.
Each act requires different steps, different certificate language, and different levels of identity verification. Mixing up the requirements for a jurat versus an acknowledgment is one of the most common exam errors — the PDF practice questions specifically target this distinction.
Nebraska notaries are required to maintain a sequential journal of notarial acts. Each journal entry must include the date, time, and type of notarial act; a description of the document or proceeding; the name and address of each principal; how the notary verified the signer's identity; and the fee charged, if any. Journals must be kept in a secure location and retained for five years after the last entry. Upon a notary's death or resignation, the journal must be delivered to the Secretary of State.
Nebraska was among the early states to authorize Remote Online Notarization. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 64-119, a commissioned Nebraska notary may perform RON using audio-visual communication technology that meets state-approved standards. The notary must use an approved RON platform, retain an audio-visual recording of each remote session for at least ten years, and ensure that the electronic signature and seal comply with Nebraska's technology requirements. RON is particularly important for clients who cannot appear in person, including those in other states or countries executing Nebraska-related documents.
Every Nebraska notary must use an official seal or stamp on notarized documents. The seal must include the notary's name exactly as it appears on the commission, the words "Notary Public," the state of Nebraska, and the notary's commission expiration date. Nebraska law permits both inked rubber stamps and embossed seals, but the impression must be clear and legible. A smudged or incomplete seal can invalidate the notarization and expose the notary to liability.
Nebraska law strictly prohibits a notary from notarizing his or her own signature — self-notarization is void. A notary also may not notarize a document if the notary has a direct financial or beneficial interest in the transaction, or if the signer is the notary's spouse, parent, child, or sibling and that relative has a financial interest in the document. Violations can result in commission revocation, civil liability, and criminal penalties under Nebraska law. The $10,000 surety bond that every applicant must file with the Secretary of State exists precisely to compensate parties harmed by a notary's errors, omissions, or misconduct.
To become a Nebraska notary public, you must be at least 19 years old, a legal resident of Nebraska (or employed in Nebraska), and free of felony convictions. The application is submitted to the Nebraska Secretary of State's office along with a $30 filing fee. Your commission is valid for four years. Before your commission is issued, you must obtain a $10,000 surety bond from a licensed surety company and file it with the Secretary of State. Once commissioned, you may purchase your official seal or stamp from any authorized vendor.
Nebraska notaries can face civil liability if their negligence or misconduct causes a financial loss to a signer or third party. Common mistakes include failing to verify identity properly, completing a certificate with incorrect information, notarizing a document without the signer present, or using an expired commission. Best practices include always checking a government-issued photo ID, never pre-signing certificates, keeping your seal secure, and updating your bond and commission records whenever your name or address changes.
Want more practice before the exam? Our Nebraska notary practice test gives you additional multiple-choice questions with instant answer feedback — no download required. Work through questions on Nebraska notary law, authorized acts, journal requirements, and RON rules directly in your browser, then use this PDF to reinforce the topics where you need more review.
Try these questions from our free Nebraska Notary Exam practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
A Nebraska notary public, who was commissioned while living in Lancaster County, permanently moves to a new residence in Douglas County. According to Nebraska law, what action must the notary take?
Answer: C. File a "Request to Change Record" form with the Secretary of State within 45 days of the move.
Nebraska Revised Statute 64-105.04 requires a notary public to notify the Secretary of State of any change of residence no later than forty-five days after the change. A notary's commission is statewide, so they do not need to reapply or get a new stamp reflecting the new county.
A Nebraska notary's commission expires, and they do not plan to renew it. Which of the following is the recommended best practice for handling their paper notary journal(s)?
Answer: D. Securely store the journal indefinitely or for a recommended period of at least ten years.
Nebraska law does not specify a retention period for optional, tangible journals. However, the nationally recognized best practice is for the notary to maintain personal control of their journal and store it securely for an extended period (such as 10 years or indefinitely) after their commission ends. This ensures the record is available if a past notarization is ever questioned. The journal is the property of the notary, not the employer.
A signer presents a document written entirely in German to a Nebraska notary. The notary does not speak or read German, but the signer has brought a friend to translate. What is the correct course of action for the notary?
Answer: B. Refuse the notarization because the notary cannot directly communicate with the signer and understand the document's general nature.
Best practices and general notary principles require the notary to be able to communicate directly with the signer in a shared language without an interpreter. Since the notary cannot read the document to scan for completeness or communicate with the signer to perform the verbal ceremony, they should refuse the notarization to avoid potential misconduct.
A Nebraska notary is convicted of a felony involving fraud during their commission term. According to Nebraska administrative rules, what is the most likely disciplinary action the Secretary of State will take regarding the notary's commission?
Answer: D. Permanently revoke the notary commission.
The Nebraska Administrative Code lists acts of malfeasance that will likely result in the total (permanent) revocation of a commission. This list includes "being convicted of a felony or crime involving fraud or dishonesty while commissioned."