Nevada · Updated 2026-05-19

How to Become a Notary Public in Nevada

Nevada requires a 3-hour training course and an exam before you can even apply. The process is methodical — bond first, then training, then application — and takes about 8 weeks. Nevada notaries can also perform marriages with county clerk permission.

Total cost
$110-$170
Time to commission
6-8 wks
Commission term
4 years
Bond required
$10,000
01 · Eligibility

Can you become a notary in Nevada?

Under NRS Chapter 240, the requirements are:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Be a resident of Nevada, OR a resident of an adjoining state (California, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, or Arizona) who is regularly employed in Nevada.
  • Be able to read, write, and understand English.
  • Have not had a notary appointment revoked or suspended in Nevada or any other state.
  • Complete the mandatory 3-hour training course and pass the exam.
  • Submit fingerprints if required by the Secretary of State.
02 · Cost

What it actually costs, end to end

Nevada's costs are mid-range. The $45 training/exam fee and $35 application fee are the state charges, plus the $10,000 bond.

ItemRequired?Cost
Secretary of State application fee Required $35
Training course + exam fee Required $45
$10,000 surety bond (4-year term) Required $35–$55
County clerk bond filing fee Required $10–$20
Notary stamp/seal Required $15–$35
Mandatory journal Required $15–$30
Fingerprint/background fee (if required) Sometimes required $40–$60
E&O insurance (recommended) Optional $20–$40
Total to get commissioned $155–$270
Important note

Nevada's order of operations matters: purchase your bond and file it with the county clerk FIRST (this gets you a "filing notice"), complete the training and exam, THEN submit your application via the SilverFlume platform. Digital signatures on the application result in automatic rejection — you must use a wet signature.

03 · Application Process

The 6 steps to your Nevada commission

Nevada's process is methodical and takes about 8 weeks. Order matters.

01

Purchase a $10,000 surety bond

Buy your 4-year, $10,000 bond from a Nevada-authorized surety provider. Print and sign the bond form.

02

File your bond with the county clerk, take your oath

File the bond with the county clerk where you reside (or where you're employed, for non-residents). The clerk administers your oath of office and provides a "filing notice" — you'll need this for the application.

03

Complete the 3-hour training course

Take the mandatory Traditional Notary Training course through the Nevada Secretary of State's training site. Select course (101) Traditional Notary Training from the Course Catalog. The course and exam fee is $45.

04

Pass the traditional notary exam

Take the exam after the course. You need a passing score. If you fail, you must wait 24 hours before retaking it.

05

Submit your application via SilverFlume

Create an account on Nevada's SilverFlume business portal. Submit your application with the $35 fee, your filing notice, training certificate, and exam results. Use a wet signature — digital signatures cause automatic rejection.

06

Receive your Certificate of Appointment

If approved, you'll receive your Certificate of Appointment within 8 weeks. Once you have it, request your notary stamp from the SOS and obtain your journal. Then you can begin notarizing.

04 · The Job

What Nevada notaries actually do

Nevada notaries can perform these acts statewide under NRS Chapter 240:

Notarial acts & powers

  • Acknowledgments
  • Jurats
  • Oaths and affirmations
  • Signature witnessing
  • Copy certifications
  • Note protests of instruments
  • Perform marriages — with permission from the county clerk (a real Nevada opportunity)
  • Electronic and Remote Online Notarization — with additional eNotary training and exam
05 · Income

What you can actually make

Nevada sets maximum fees by statute. The Secretary of State determines what notaries can charge:

Earning ranges by working style

  • $15 for the first signature of each signer on an acknowledgment
  • $15 for jurats (first signature)
  • Travel fees allowed (must be disclosed in advance)
  • Mobile notary visit: $50-$100 base + per-act fees
  • Wedding officiating: $50-$200 per ceremony (with county clerk permission)

Las Vegas and Reno are the dominant markets. Las Vegas in particular is a high-volume notary market due to the casino/hospitality industry, real estate transactions, and the famous wedding industry — Nevada notaries who get county clerk permission can officiate weddings, which is significant supplementary income in the Las Vegas market.

06 · Remote Online Notary

RON in Nevada

Nevada authorized electronic and remote online notarization. RON requires additional steps beyond the traditional commission:

RON requirements & notes

  • First become an active traditional Nevada notary with a commission number
  • Complete additional electronic notary (eNotary) training
  • Pass the separate eNotary exam
  • Register as an electronic notary with the Secretary of State
  • Use an approved RON technology platform
  • Maintain electronic journal and audio/video recordings
07 · Renewal

Renewing your Nevada commission

Your Nevada commission is valid for 4 years. Renewal requires repeating the full process.

Nevada requires renewing notaries to retake the training course and exam before reapplying — there's no shortcut. You'll also need a new $10,000 bond, new county filing, and the $35 + $45 fees again. Start the renewal process early because of the 8-week processing time.

08 · Frequently Asked

Questions Nevada notaries actually ask

Why does Nevada take 8 weeks to process?

Nevada's process has multiple sequential steps (bond, county filing, training, exam, then SOS application) and the Secretary of State's processing itself takes time. The 8-week estimate is from application submission to receiving your Certificate of Appointment. Plan ahead — you can't notarize until the certificate arrives.

Can I really perform weddings as a Nevada notary?

Yes, with permission. Nevada notaries can perform marriages if they obtain authorization from the county clerk. In the Las Vegas market especially, this is a significant income opportunity — the wedding industry is huge, and notary-officiants can charge $50-$200+ per ceremony. You apply for this authorization separately through the county clerk.

What's the deal with the non-resident stamp?

If you're a non-resident notary (commissioned in NV but living in an adjoining state), your notary stamp must include the word "Nonresident." Non-resident notaries also must annually submit proof of their Nevada employment within 30 days before their appointment anniversary.

Why do digital signatures get rejected?

Nevada explicitly requires a wet (physical ink) signature on the notary application. If you sign digitally, the application is automatically rejected. This is a Nevada-specific quirk — print the application, sign it by hand, and scan/upload.

Can I notarize anywhere in Nevada?

Yes. Your commission is statewide. You can notarize anywhere in Nevada regardless of which county you filed your bond in.

Do I really need fingerprints?

Sometimes. NRS 240.030 says the Secretary of State "may" require a complete set of fingerprints and authorization to forward them to the FBI for a background report. Whether this is required depends on SOS discretion at the time of your application. Budget $40-$60 in case it's required.

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