NV Notary Laws and Regulations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which item is a Nevada notary required to keep as a record of every notarial act?
- A journal containing details of each notarization (Correct answer)
- A photocopy of every document notarized
- A video recording of the signing
- A duplicate of the signer's identification card
Correct answer: A journal containing details of each notarization
NRS 240.120 requires Nevada notaries to record each notarial act in a journal.
Question 2: How long must a Nevada notary retain their journal after the date of the last entry?
- 7 years (Correct answer)
- 3 years
- 10 years
- 1 year
Correct answer: 7 years
NRS 240.120 requires the journal to be kept for 7 years after the date of the last entry.
Question 3: A signer presents an expired driver's license as identification. Under Nevada law, may the notary accept it?
- No, identification generally must be current or issued within the allowed statutory window (Correct answer)
- Yes, any government-issued card is acceptable regardless of date
- Yes, if the photo still resembles the signer
- Yes, if the signer also provides a utility bill
Correct answer: No, identification generally must be current or issued within the allowed statutory window
Nevada requires satisfactory identification that is current or otherwise valid under NRS 240.1655, so a long-expired license is not acceptable.
Question 4: Which method may a Nevada notary use to identify a signer who has no identification card?
- The oath of a credible witness personally known to both the notary and the signer (Correct answer)
- A sworn statement written by the signer alone
- A social media profile matching the signer's name
- A phone call to the signer's employer
Correct answer: The oath of a credible witness personally known to both the notary and the signer
NRS 240.1655 allows identification through a credible witness known to the notary and the signer.
Question 5: If a Nevada notary's journal is lost or stolen, what must the notary do?
- Notify the Secretary of State in writing about the loss or theft (Correct answer)
- Simply purchase a new journal and continue
- File a report only with the local sheriff
- Cease performing notarizations permanently
Correct answer: Notify the Secretary of State in writing about the loss or theft
Nevada law requires prompt written notice to the Secretary of State when a journal is lost or stolen.
Question 6: Which entry is a Nevada notary NOT required to record in the journal?
- The signer's social security number (Correct answer)
- The date and type of the notarial act
- A description of the document notarized
- The fee charged for the act
Correct answer: The signer's social security number
Journals must never contain social security numbers; NRS 240.120 lists required entries such as date, document type, and fee.
Question 7: A Nevada notary resigns their commission. What must be done with the journal?
- Retain it for 7 years or deliver it as provided by law (Correct answer)
- Destroy it immediately to protect signer privacy
- Hand it to their employer permanently
- Mail it to the county recorder within 10 days
Correct answer: Retain it for 7 years or deliver it as provided by law
Even after resignation, the journal must be kept for the statutory 7-year period or transferred as the law directs.
NV Notary Laws and Regulations 3
Which item is a Nevada notary required to keep as a record of every notarial act?