Nevada Notary Public Bond: A Comprehensive Guide
At a Glance:
- Average Cost: $50 for a four-year term
- Bond Amount: $10,000
- Who Needs it: All notaries public operating in Nevada
- Purpose: To ensure the public receives compensation for financial harm if the notary fails to properly perform their duties
- Who Regulates Notaries Public in Nevada: The Nevada Secretary of State
Background
Nevada Revised Statute 240.010 requires all notaries operating in the state to obtain a commission from the Secretary of State before performing notarial acts. The Nevada legislature enacted this requirement to ensure that notaries engage in ethical business practices. To provide financial security for the enforcement of the commission requirement, notaries must purchase and maintain a $10,000 surety bond to be eligible for a commission.
What is the Purpose of the Nevada Notary Public Bond?
Nevada requires notaries to purchase a surety bond as a prerequisite to obtaining a notary commission. The bond protects the public from financial harm if the notary fails to comply with the regulations outlined in Nevada Revised Statute 240.033. Specifically, the bond protects the public if the notary signs any documents for persons committing fraud or does not actually witness the signatures on documents being notarized. In short, the bond is a type of insurance that protects the public if the notary violates the terms of their commission.
How Can an Insurance Agent Obtain a Nevada Notary Public Surety Bond?
BondExchange makes obtaining a Nevada Notary Public bond easy. Simply log in to your account and use our keyword search to find the “Notary” bond in our database. Don’t have a login? Gain access now and let us help you satisfy your customers’ needs. Our friendly underwriting staff is available by phone at (800) 438-1162, email, or chat from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM EST to assist you.
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Is a Credit Check Required for the Nevada Notary Public Bond?
No, a credit check is not required for the Nevada Notary Public bond. Because the bond is considered relatively low risk, the same low rate is offered to all notaries in the state regardless of their credit history.
How Much Does the Nevada Notary Public Bond Cost?
The Nevada Notary Public bond costs just $50 for a four-year term.
Who is Required to Purchase the Nevada Notary Bond?
Nevada requires notaries to purchase a surety bond as a prerequisite to obtaining a notary commission. To paraphrase Nevada Revised Statute 240.004, a notary public is a public official authorized to provide the following services:
- Take acknowledgments
- Administer oaths and affirmations
- Perform copy certifications
- Executing a jurat
- Noting a protest of a negotiable instrument
Notaries who wish to perform electronic notarizations do not need to purchase an additional surety bond. An electronic notary, or eNotary, is a notary public approved by the Secretary of State to provide notarial services via an electronic document or by means of communication technology.
BondExchange now offers monthly pay-as-you-go subscriptions for surety bonds. Your customers are able to purchase their bonds on a monthly basis and cancel them anytime. Learn more here.
How Do Notaries Apply for a Commission in Nevada?
Notaries public in Nevada must navigate several steps to obtain a commission. Below are the general guidelines, but applicants should refer to the Secretary of State’s website for details on the process.
Commission Term: All Nevada Notary Public Commissions are valid for four years from the date of issuance.
Notaries Public
Step 1 – Meet the Qualifications
To be eligible to apply for a notary public commission, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
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- Be at least 18 years old
- Have never had a notary commission revoked in another state
- Have never been convicted of a felony
- One of the following:
- Be a resident of Nevada
- **Work in Nevada and live in California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah or Arizona
**Non-resident applicants must also submit two affidavits and a NV State Business License
Step 2 – Complete a Training Course
Notaries are required to complete an online training course and exam on notary laws and procedures prior to obtaining a notary public commission. The training course must be completed before the exam, and notaries must pass the exam before successfully completing the course.
Step 3 – Purchase a Surety Bond
Notaries public are required to purchase and maintain a $10,000 surety bond.
Step 4 – Obtain a Filing Notice
Notaries must appear at the clerk’s office of the county they reside in to file their surety bond and take the oath of office. Afterwards, notaries will receive a filing notice which they must submit with their application. An example of a filing notice can be found here.
Step 5 – Complete the Application
Notaries must submit a completed application online here. New applicants will be required to create an account with SilverFlume. Notaries must complete the application in its entirety and submit the following items:
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- $35 application fee
- $45 training and exam fee
- Filing notice
Notaries must print the application and physically sign the document before uploading. Applications typically take 2-3 weeks to process. Once their application is approved, notaries will receive their commission and be authorized to provide notarial services.
Electronic Notaries Public
Step 6 – Select an Approved Solution Provider and Obtain an Exemplar
Only an active notary public with a current commission is able to register as an electronic notary. Notaries public can register to become an electronic notary by first selecting the solution provider that they intend to use. Notaries must also obtain an Exemplar from the solution provider which should include a signature and electronic seal.
Step 7 – Complete an Online Training Course and Exam
Notaries are required to complete an online training course and exam before registering as an electronic notary. The training course must be completed before the exam, and notaries must pass the exam in order to register their solutions provider.
Step 8 – Submit an eNotary Registration and Upload the Exemplar
After selecting a solution provider and completing the online training, notaries public may submit a registration form online here. Notaries must complete the form in its entirety and submit the following items:
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- $50 registration fee
- $45 training and exam fee
- Exemplar obtained from the solution provider
After submitting the required forms and paying all required fees, notaries will be emailed a confirmation of approval of their electronic notary registration.
How Do Nevada Notaries Public Renew Their Commissions?
Notaries must apply for a new commission before their existing one expires, as there is no specific renewal process. Notaries are encouraged to renew their commissions before the expiration date to avoid a lapse in commissions. All Nevada Notary Public Commissions are valid for four years from the date of issuance. Electronic notary registrations run concurrently with existing notary public commissions and notaries must register with the Secretary of State again before continuing their electronic notarial services.
What are the Insurance Requirements for Notaries Public in Nevada?
Nevada does not require notaries to purchase any form of liability insurance as a prerequisite to obtaining a commission. Notaries public must purchase and maintain a $10,000 surety bond.
How Do Nevada Notaries File Their Bonds?
Notaries public should file their completed bond forms, including the power of attorney, with the clerk of the county where the notary resides and must do so when taking their oath of office.
The bond requires signatures from both the surety company that issues the bond and the notary. The surety company should include the following information on the bond form:
- Legal name, address, and county of the entity/individual(s) buying the bond
- Surety company’s name
- Start date of the commission
- Signing date of the bond
What Can Nevada Notaries Do to Avoid Claims Against Their Bonds?
To avoid claims on their bonds, notaries public in Nevada must adhere to all state regulations, including some of the most important issues below that tend to cause claims:
- Do not leave any notary supplies (seal and journal) in a place where they can be easily stolen
- Do not perform notary services for entities/individuals who are engaged in acts of fraud
- Ensure that the signers of documents are who they say they are and are not misrepresenting themselves
- Witness the signatures of all documents being notarized
- Record all transactions in a notary journal
What Other Insurance Products Can Agents Offer Notaries in Nevada?
Nevada does not require notaries public to obtain any form of liability insurance. However, many notaries will consider obtaining errors and omission (E&O) insurance. Bonds are our only business at BondExchange, so we do not issue liability insurance, but our agents often utilize brokers for this specific line of business. Agents can access a list of brokers online here.
How Can Insurance Agents Prospect for Nevada Notary Customers?
Nevada conveniently provides a public database through SilverFlume of commissioned notaries operating in the state. Contact BondExchange for additional marketing resources. Agents can also leverage our print-mail relationships for discounted mailing services.
What Other States Require Notary Bonds?
29 states and the District of Columbia require notaries to purchase a surety bond as a prerequisite to obtaining a commission. Insurance agents should utilize our Main Notary Bond Page for a detailed analysis of the Notary Bond requirements nationwide.