Nevada Notary Oath and Bond Filing

The county-level oath and bond filing is the step that causes the most application rejections in Nevada, because applicants either skip it entirely or confuse the output document. You need to walk out of the county clerk's office with a Filing Notice — and it is the Filing Notice, not the raw surety bond, that you upload to the state portal. Uploading the bond itself triggers an automatic rejection.

Where to File

You file at the county clerk's office in the county where you live. If you are a non-resident notary (living in an adjoining state but working in Nevada), you file in the county where you are employed or conduct business.

The county clerk handles this — not the county recorder. They are different offices in most Nevada counties.

What to Bring

• Your signed four-year, $10,000 surety bond
• A valid government-issued photo ID
• $20 filing fee (cash, check, credit card, or money order — accepted payment methods vary by county)

The clerk administers the constitutional oath of office (required under Article 15, Section 2 of the Nevada Constitution), records your bond, and issues the Filing Notice (sometimes called a Clerk's Certificate).

Clark County (Las Vegas)

Clark County processes notary bond filings at the County Clerk's office. Bring the signed bond and photo ID, pay the $20 fee, and the clerk swears you in on the spot. For mail-in filings, send the completed bond along with $20 and a self-addressed stamped envelope (USPS first-class) to:

Clark County Clerk, Attn: Notary Bond, PO Box 551604, Las Vegas, NV 89155

You must take the oath before an active Nevada notary before mailing, and sign the bond on the "Principal" line.

Washoe County (Reno)

Washoe County processes notary bonds at the Business Services Division of the County Clerk's office. The $20 fee is payable by cash, credit card, check, or money order. Mail-in filings follow the same pattern: take the oath before another notary, sign as principal, include the $20 fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Rural and Smaller Counties

All 17 Nevada county-equivalents accept notary bond filings at their respective clerk's offices for the standard $20 fee. Hours, in-person availability, and mail-in turnaround times vary — call ahead for rural counties like Esmeralda, Eureka, or Pershing where office hours may be limited.

Carson City — A Common Venue Mistake

Carson City is an independent consolidated municipality, not a standard county. When filling out notarial certificates or filing paperwork, writing "County of Carson City" on the venue line is legally incorrect. The proper format is "State of Nevada, Carson City."

This distinction matters for the documents you notarize after commissioning, not just the filing itself. Getting the venue wrong on a notarial certificate can invalidate the notarization.

The Mail-In Option

If you cannot appear in person at the county clerk's office, the alternative is:

1. Take the oath of office before any active Nevada notary
2. Sign the surety bond on the "Principal" line
3. Mail the bond, the $20 filing fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the county clerk

The clerk processes the filing and mails back your Filing Notice. Allow one to two weeks for mail-in turnaround, depending on the county.

Our Nevada Notary Commission Guide includes a county clerk directory with office hours and contact information for every Nevada county and Carson City.

See more Nevada guides →