NE Notary - Nebraska Notary The Official Notary Seal Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A newly commissioned Nebraska notary is ordering their official seal. Which of the following is the only acceptable type of seal for performing official notarial acts in Nebraska?
- A metal embosser that creates a raised impression.
- An ink stamp seal. (Correct answer)
- Either an ink stamp or a metal embosser.
- A digital seal provided by the Secretary of State.
Correct answer: An ink stamp seal.
Nebraska law requires that the official seal be an ink stamp. While a notary may use a metal embosser as a supplementary, decorative seal, it does not replace the legal requirement for an ink stamp seal to authenticate official acts.
Question 2: A Nebraska notary's commission expires on June 30, 2028. They are notarizing a document on March 15, 2026. Which of the following is NOT a required element on their official ink stamp seal?
- The notary's commission expiration date.
- The words "State of Nebraska".
- The notary's commission number. (Correct answer)
- The notary's name as it appears on their commission.
Correct answer: The notary's commission number.
Nebraska law mandates that the official ink stamp seal includes four specific elements: 'State of Nebraska', 'General Notary' or 'General Notarial', the notary's name as commissioned, and the commission expiration date. A commission number is not a required element on the seal.
Question 3: When a Nebraska notary changes their name after marriage, they decide to continue notarizing using their old seal and signing their former name until their commission expires. According to the Secretary of State's guidance, what is the correct course of action?
- Immediately cease all notarial acts until a new seal with the new name is obtained.
- This is the correct procedure; they can use the old seal and name until renewal. (Correct answer)
- They must obtain a new seal immediately but can continue signing their old name.
- They must cross out the old name on the seal and write in the new name for each notarization.
Correct answer: This is the correct procedure; they can use the old seal and name until renewal.
The Nebraska Secretary of State allows a notary who has changed their name to continue using their current seal and signing the name under which they were commissioned until that commission expires. Upon renewal, they must update their name and obtain a new seal.
Question 4: Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the physical characteristics of the official notary seal in Nebraska?
- The seal must be a circular shape with a diameter of exactly 1.5 inches.
- The seal must use black ink exclusively.
- The seal must be a rectangular shape and may not exceed 2 inches in length.
- The seal's shape is not specified, but the impression must be clear and legible. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The seal's shape is not specified, but the impression must be clear and legible.
Nebraska law does not dictate a specific shape or size for the official notary seal. While rectangular or circular shapes are common, the primary requirement is that the seal is an ink stamp that produces a clear, legible, and photographically reproducible impression.
Question 5: A Nebraska notary's ink stamp seal is accidentally lost. What is the notary's immediate required action?
- Order a new seal and wait for it to arrive before taking any action.
- Continue notarizing by writing the required information by hand.
- Notify the Secretary of State in writing about the loss. (Correct answer)
- File a report with the local police department within 24 hours.
Correct answer: Notify the Secretary of State in writing about the loss.
If a notary's seal is lost or stolen, they must immediately notify the Nebraska Secretary of State's office in writing. This is a critical step to prevent fraudulent use of the seal.
Question 6: A Nebraska notary is performing an electronic notarization. How do the requirements for the electronic seal compare to the traditional ink stamp seal?
- The electronic seal only needs the notary's name and commission number.
- The electronic seal is not required if the notary's digital certificate is attached.
- The electronic seal must contain the same information as the physical ink stamp seal.
- The electronic seal must include the Great Seal of the State of Nebraska for added security. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The electronic seal must include the Great Seal of the State of Nebraska for added security.
For electronic notarizations in Nebraska, the electronic seal must contain the same required information as the physical ink stamp seal: the notary's name as commissioned, the words 'State of Nebraska', 'General Notary' or 'General Notarial', and the commission expiration date.
NE Notary - Nebraska Notary The Official Notary Seal Questions and Answers 1
A newly commissioned Nebraska notary is ordering their official seal.
Which of the following is the only acceptable type of seal for performing official notarial acts in Nebraska?