To become a notary public in Kentucky, you file an application and a $1,000 surety bond with the Secretary of State, pay a $10 fee, and then within 30 days of approval appear at your county clerk’s office to take the oath, file the bond, and pay $19 in county fees. The commission lasts four years. Plan on roughly $29 in government fees plus the cost of the bond itself, which most agencies sell for $30 to $50.
Who Qualifies
Kentucky law sets the qualifications in KRS 423.390. You need to be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and able to read and write English. You must either live or work in the Kentucky county where you apply; out-of-state residents can qualify if their workplace is in the state, but the application has to go through the specific county tied to that home or job address.
Background matters too. Under KRS 423.395, the Secretary of State can deny or revoke a commission for any felony conviction, a conviction involving fraud or dishonesty, a civil finding based on deceit, prior notary rule violations, misleading advertising about notary powers, or a commission denied or revoked in another state.1Justia. Kentucky Code 423.395 – Denial, Revocation, or Limitation of Commission – Other Remedies The felony bar is not limited to unpardoned convictions.
Put Together the Application Package
Three items go to the Secretary of State: the application form, proof of your surety bond, and the fee.
The Form
Download the notary application from sos.ky.gov. It asks for your full legal name, home and business addresses, contact information, and the background questions tied to eligibility. Fill in every field. An incomplete form stalls the review.
The $1,000 Surety Bond
You need a $1,000 surety bond from a company licensed in Kentucky.2Justia. Kentucky Code 423.390 – Commission as Notary Public – Requirements – Oath and Filing – Surety Bond – Change of Information – Renewal of Commission – Administrative Regulations – Registration The bond protects the public, not you. If a notarial mistake or misconduct causes someone financial harm, the bonding company pays the claim and can then seek reimbursement from you. Most agencies charge $30 to $50 for a four-year bond. Include proof of the bond with the application.
The $10 Fee
Make the $10 application fee payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer, as required by KRS 423.390 and KRS 423.430.2Justia. Kentucky Code 423.390 – Commission as Notary Public – Requirements – Oath and Filing – Surety Bond – Change of Information – Renewal of Commission – Administrative Regulations – Registration It is non-refundable, even if the application is denied.
Mailing It In and Waiting
Send the application, bond documentation, and fee to: Notary Commissions, P.O. Box 821, Frankfort, KY 40602-0821. A trackable service gives you proof of delivery. Review typically takes several weeks. If approved, you’ll get notification by mail or email, and the Secretary of State forwards your Certificate of Appointment to the county clerk you named on the application.
The 30-Day County Clerk Step
Approval from the Secretary of State does not make you a notary. You have 30 days from the date of your notification to appear in person at that county clerk’s office and complete three things:2Justia. Kentucky Code 423.390 – Commission as Notary Public – Requirements – Oath and Filing – Surety Bond – Change of Information – Renewal of Commission – Administrative Regulations – Registration
- Take the oath of office, administered by the clerk.
- File the original $1,000 surety bond for recording.
- File your commission certificate.
You’ll pay $19 in county fees at the visit, set by KRS 64.012.3Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. Kentucky Code 64.012 – Fees of County Clerks Bring a current government-issued ID. Your commission is not effective until the oath is taken and the bond is filed, so until this appointment happens you have no authority to notarize anything. Miss the 30-day window and you’ll likely have to start the application over; the statute does not provide a formal remedy for late filers.
Get Your Stamp
Kentucky notaries use an official stamp on paper documents. It must show your name exactly as commissioned, your commission number, your commission expiration date, and the words “Commonwealth of Kentucky” and “Notary Public.”4Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. 30 KAR 8:005 – Notary Public Administrative Regulation Rectangular or circular is fine.
The Secretary of State does not supply the stamp. Order one from a notary supply or office supply vendor after your commission is active, and check the spelling against your commission before you place the order.
What You Cannot Notarize
Kentucky law bars you from notarizing any document in which you, your spouse, or an immediate family member is a party or has a direct financial interest.5Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. Kentucky Code 423.310 – Notarial Acts – Tangible and Electronic Records – Online Notary – Prohibited Acts – Tangible Copy of Electronic Record A sister’s real estate deed, a spouse’s power of attorney — send those to a different notary. A notarial act done in violation of this rule is voidable and can be thrown out.
Keeping and Renewing the Commission
The commission runs four years.2Justia. Kentucky Code 423.390 – Commission as Notary Public – Requirements – Oath and Filing – Surety Bond – Change of Information – Renewal of Commission – Administrative Regulations – Registration The Secretary of State does not send reminders, so set your own calendar alert well ahead of the expiration date.
Renewal repeats the process: a new application and fee to the Secretary of State, then a return trip to the county clerk for a new oath, a new $1,000 bond, and the $19 in county fees. If approved, your commission number stays the same and the expiration date resets. If the old commission expires before you finish the renewal steps, you cannot notarize during the gap, so start early.
During your term, report any change to your name, mailing address, email, county of residence, or signature to the Secretary of State within 10 days using the required change form. A fee applies, payable to the State Treasurer. A name change matters most because your stamp has to match your commissioned name exactly; once the change is confirmed, order a new stamp reflecting the update.