Can You Become a Remote Online Notary in Nebraska?

Yes. Nebraska law permits Remote Online Notarization, commonly called RON or online notarization. A properly registered Nebraska online notary can communicate with a signer using approved real-time audio-video technology instead of requiring the signer to appear in the same physical room.

Nebraska makes an important distinction between an in-person electronic notary and an online notary public. An in-person electronic notarization still requires physical presence. An online notarization allows the principal and notary to communicate remotely.

To become an online notary, however, you must first hold a valid Nebraska Notary Public commission and complete Nebraska's additional online-notary requirements.

Step 1: Hold a Valid Nebraska Notary Public Commission

You must be a commissioned Nebraska Notary Public before you can be registered as an online notary.

For an initial Nebraska Notary Public commission, current state guidance requires an applicant to:

• Be at least 19 years old.
• Be a United States citizen or qualified alien.
• Be a Nebraska resident, or live in a bordering state while maintaining a regular place of work or business in Nebraska.
• Meet Nebraska's applicable criminal-history qualifications.
• Pass the Nebraska general notary examination.
• Obtain the required $15,000 notary surety bond.
• Complete the state application and pay the applicable filing fee.

What About E&O Insurance?

This is an area where notaries can easily become confused. Nebraska does not require E&O insurance. The Nebraska Secretary of State's current instructions say that purchasing an errors and omissions policy is optional and that proof of coverage does not have to be provided to the state.

The required $15,000 surety bond is different from E&O insurance. A notary bond generally protects the public, while E&O coverage is designed to protect the notary against certain claims.

Step 2: Complete Nebraska's Required Online Notary Training

Once you qualify as a Nebraska Notary Public, the next step is to complete Nebraska's approved Online Notary Training Course.

Under the Nebraska Secretary of State's current instructions, you must complete the required training course before taking the online notary examination and before applying for online-notary registration.

The course covers subjects such as Nebraska notary law, online-notarial procedures, technology, and the ethical responsibilities involved in performing online notarizations.

Step 3: Take and Pass the Nebraska Online Notary Exam

After completing the required training, you must take Nebraska's online-notary examination.

According to the current Nebraska Secretary of State instructions, the exam:

• Contains 20 questions.
• Requires a passing score of at least 85%.
• Is completed online.
• Must be completed without assistance from other people.
• Allows up to three attempts under the state's current guidance.

When you pass, you will receive a digital passing examination certificate. Save the certificate as a PDF. You will need to upload it when submitting your online-notary application.

Step 4: Select a Nebraska-Approved Online Notary Solution Provider

Nebraska is different from states that allow a notary to simply select any remote-notarization software.

Nebraska law requires the technology used for online notarization to be provided by an Online Notary Solution Provider approved by the Nebraska Secretary of State.

Your registration with the state must identify technology supplied by an approved provider. After your registration is approved, your selected provider will also need information from your approval before authorizing your online-notary account.

Step 5: Submit Your Nebraska Online Notary Application

After completing the required course and passing the exam, log in to the Nebraska Secretary of State's online notary portal and complete the application process for an Online Notary Public.

Have your supporting documents ready as PDFs, including your passing exam certificate and any other documentation requested by the Secretary of State.

Nebraska's online filing system also allows applicants to save an incomplete application as a draft and return later if additional information is needed.

Step 6: Download Your Approval Letter and Activate Your Provider Account

When the Secretary of State approves your online-notary registration, you will receive an email notification. Log back into the state portal and download your approval letter.

Nebraska's current instructions specifically state that approved online notaries are no longer issued an online-notary registration certificate. Instead, the applicant receives an approval letter.

Provide the approval letter to your approved online-notary solution provider so your provider can authorize the account and complete the setup of your Nebraska online notary seal.

Nebraska requires the online seal to contain information including:

• State of Nebraska
• Online Notary Public
• Your identifying number
• Your name exactly as commissioned
• Your commission expiration date

Step 7: Start Performing Nebraska Remote Online Notarizations

Once your state registration and approved-provider setup are complete, you can begin performing authorized online notarial acts.

Nebraska online notaries may perform acknowledgments, jurats, verifications or proofs, and oaths or affirmations when the applicable requirements are satisfied.

You Must Be Physically Located in Nebraska

A Nebraska online notary must be physically located inside the State of Nebraska while performing an online notarial act.

The signer, however, does not have to be physically located in Nebraska. Nebraska law permits a qualifying online notarial act regardless of whether the principal is physically located in Nebraska at the time of the notarization.

Nebraska Online Notary Recordkeeping Requirements

Becoming registered is only the beginning. Nebraska online notaries also have ongoing recordkeeping and security obligations.

Nebraska requires an online notary to maintain a secure electronic record of online notarial acts as well as a backup of that record.

Nebraska's approved online-notary technology also incorporates requirements for secure real-time audio-video communication, credential analysis, identity proofing, and protection of the documents and information involved in the online-notarization process.

How Long Does a Nebraska Online Notary Registration Last?

Your Nebraska online-notary registration runs with your underlying Nebraska Notary Public commission. In other words, the term of your online-notary registration coincides with the term of your regular notary commission.

When renewing, make sure you address your online-notary registration along with your regular commission and report any changes to the technology you intend to use.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an Online Notary in Nebraska