Notary Public Permit Requirements in Omaha, NE

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Nebraska Department of Revenue — Sales and Use Tax Permit

   Any business selling taxable goods or taxable services in Nebraska must hold a sales tax permit from the Nebraska Department of Revenue and collect tax at the combined state and local rate for the delivery location. Register online through the Department's business registration service or by filing paper Form 20; NebFile is the separate system used to file returns once you are registered, not the registration tool. Local city sales and use taxes are layered on top of the state rate and change by quarter, so use the Department's Sales Tax Rate Finder for the exact rate at each address rather than assuming a flat figure.

   Official government source

   $0 — the Nebraska Department of Revenue charges no fee to register for a sales and use tax permit, online or by paper Form 20.·Registering online, you are either assigned a Nebraska ID number at the time of registration or contacted by the Department within five business days for additional information. Allow about two weeks for a paper Form 20.

   $0 — the Nebraska Department of Revenue charges no fee to register for a sales and use tax permit, online or by paper Form 20.

   Registering online, you are either assigned a Nebraska ID number at the time of registration or contacted by the Department within five business days for additional information. Allow about two weeks for a paper Form 20.

1. Nebraska Secretary of State — Notary Public Commission

   To become a Nebraska notary public you must be at least 19, a U.S. citizen or qualified alien, and a Nebraska resident (or live in a bordering state and keep a regular place of work or business in Nebraska). First pass the online Nebraska Notary Exam (20 questions, 85% to pass, up to three attempts; the passing certificate is valid 90 days). Then obtain a $15,000 notary surety bond from an insurance agent — the Secretary of State does not provide bonds, and an errors-and-omissions policy is optional. Finally file the application through the Secretary of State's online Notary Portal, uploading the exam certificate and bond; paper notary filings have not been accepted since December 31, 2023. In-person electronic notary and online notary authority can be requested at the same time under separate qualifications.

   Official government source

   $30 Secretary of State filing fee (credit/debit card or eCheck), plus the premium for the required $15,000 surety bond, which varies by insurer·Exam certificate is valid 90 days; the Secretary of State emails you when the application has been processed, and you then download the commission certificate from the portal

   $30 Secretary of State filing fee (credit/debit card or eCheck), plus the premium for the required $15,000 surety bond, which varies by insurer

   Exam certificate is valid 90 days; the Secretary of State emails you when the application has been processed, and you then download the commission certificate from the portal

2. City of Omaha Business Licensing (no general business license)

   Omaha does not require a general business license. The city's Finance Department administers occupation taxes only on specific categories (restaurant/bar, telephone, hotel/motel, tobacco), and there is no City Clerk business license for ordinary businesses. Most trades on this list — food truck, handyman, tattoo parlor, personal trainer, HVAC, pet sitting, real estate, cleaning, grooming, salons, electrical, plumbing, fitness, massage, home bakery, pest control, auto repair, catering, notary, photography, barber, landscaping, tutoring, yoga, wedding planning, pressure washing, daycare, insurance — instead need a category-specific approval: a Douglas County Health Department food permit, a state professional license, Nebraska Department of Labor contractor registration, or a city building/trade permit.

   Official government source

   $0 — Omaha issues no general business license·Not applicable — there is no general license application; timelines depend on the category-specific permit you actually need

   $0 — Omaha issues no general business license

   Not applicable — there is no general license application; timelines depend on the category-specific permit you actually need

Official Sources

• Nebraska Secretary of State

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