NV Notary Qualifications and Commissioning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A California resident works full-time at a Las Vegas title company. Can she become a Nevada notary?
- No, only Nevada residents may be commissioned
- Only if she owns property in Nevada
- Yes, a non-resident may qualify if employed in Nevada and the employer certifies the notarial duties (Correct answer)
- Yes, but only if she also holds a California commission
Correct answer: Yes, a non-resident may qualify if employed in Nevada and the employer certifies the notarial duties
Nevada allows non-residents who work in the state to be commissioned when their employer submits the required certification.
Question 2: What must a non-resident applicant's Nevada employer provide as part of the application?
- A signed affidavit confirming the applicant is employed in Nevada and will perform notarial acts as part of that employment (Correct answer)
- A $10,000 cash deposit
- A copy of the company's business license only
- A letter from the county sheriff
Correct answer: A signed affidavit confirming the applicant is employed in Nevada and will perform notarial acts as part of that employment
The employer must submit an affidavit verifying Nevada employment and that notarial acts relate to that employment.
Question 3: After being appointed, within what timeframe must a Nevada notary take the oath of office and file the bond to activate the commission?
- Within 6 months
- There is no deadline
- Within 30 days after the effective date of the appointment (Correct answer)
- Within one year
Correct answer: Within 30 days after the effective date of the appointment
The oath and bond must be filed with the county clerk within 30 days after the appointment takes effect.
Question 4: What does the $10,000 notary bond primarily protect?
- The notary's employer against theft
- The notary against personal lawsuits
- The surety company against losses
- Members of the public harmed by the notary's misconduct or negligence (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Members of the public harmed by the notary's misconduct or negligence
The bond compensates members of the public who are damaged by a notary's official misconduct, not the notary personally.
Question 5: If a claim is paid out against a notary's surety bond, what is the notary's obligation?
- Surrender their stamp permanently with no repayment
- Pay a fine to the county clerk only
- Nothing; the bond fully absorbs the loss
- Reimburse the surety company for the amount paid (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Reimburse the surety company for the amount paid
A bond is not insurance, so the notary must repay the surety for any claims paid on their behalf.
Question 6: Which optional protection covers a Nevada notary's own legal liability for unintentional errors?
- The state's general fund
- The surety bond
- Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance (Correct answer)
- A fidelity bond held by the employer
Correct answer: Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance
E&O insurance is optional coverage that protects the notary personally, unlike the bond which protects the public.
Question 7: A notary applicant has a felony conviction she did not disclose on her application, and the Secretary of State discovers it. What is the likely result?
- A warning letter with no other consequence
- Transfer of the application to the Governor
- Automatic approval since the conviction is old
- Denial of the application or revocation of the commission for the false statement (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Denial of the application or revocation of the commission for the false statement
Making a false statement on the application is grounds for denial or revocation, independent of the conviction itself.
NV Notary Qualifications and Commissioning 3
A California resident works full-time at a Las Vegas title company.
Can she become a Nevada notary?