How to Become a Notary Public in Kentucky
Kentucky does not require an exam to become a notary public. The process involves applying through the Secretary of State, obtaining a $1,000 surety bond, and filing with your county clerk. Kentucky has one of the lowest bond requirements in the nation.
Kentucky Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Residency | Kentucky resident OR employed in Kentucky |
| Exam Required | No |
| Education Required | No |
| Surety Bond | $1,000 |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Application Fee | $10 (SOS) + $19 (County Clerk) |
Why Become a Kentucky Notary?
- No exam required - Simple application process
- Low bond requirement - Only $1,000 surety bond needed
- 4-year commission - Long commission term
- RON authorized - Remote Online Notarization available since January 2020
- Flexible fees - Reasonable fee structure
- No seal required - Optional stamp/seal (but recommended)
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Step-by-Step: How to Become a Kentucky Notary
Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements
To become a Kentucky notary public, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
- Be a resident of Kentucky OR have a place of employment or practice in the Kentucky county where you apply
- Be able to read and write English
- Not be disqualified under state statute KRS 423.395
Step 2: Apply to the Secretary of State
Submit your application to the Kentucky Secretary of State:
- Complete the notary public application
- Pay the $10 application fee
- Submit to the Secretary of State's office
Mailing Address: Kentucky Secretary of State P.O. Box 718 Frankfort, KY 40602-0718
Step 3: Receive Your Commission Certificate
Once approved by the Secretary of State:
- You'll receive your Commission Certificate
- You have 30 days to file with your county clerk
- Do not begin notarizing until you complete the county filing
Step 4: Obtain Your Surety Bond
Before filing with the county clerk, obtain a $1,000 surety bond:
- Bond Amount: $1,000 (one of the lowest in the nation)
- Bond Term: 4 years (matches commission term)
- Typical Cost: $35-$55 for the 4-year term
- Provider: Must be from an approved insurance company
Step 5: File with Your County Clerk
Within 30 days of receiving your commission, appear before your county clerk:
- Take the Oath of Office in person
- Submit your surety bond
- File your commission certificate
- Pay the $19 county filing fee ($10 recording, $4 bond preparation, $5 oath administration)
Important: Failure to complete this step within 30 days revokes your commission.
Step 6: Purchase Notary Supplies (Optional but Recommended)
Kentucky does not require a notary seal or stamp, but using one is highly recommended:
Official Notary Seal (Optional but Recommended):
- Rubber stamp or embosser format
- If used, embossed seals must be inked
- Cost: $20-$50
If Using a Seal, Include:
- Your name as commissioned
- "Notary Public"
- "State of Kentucky" or jurisdiction
- Commission number
- Commission expiration date
Notary Journal (Recommended):
- Not required for traditional notarizations
- Required for electronic/online notarizations
- Cost: $15-$40
Kentucky Notary Fees
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Notarial acts | Reasonable fee (no state maximum) |
| Remote Online Notarization | Reasonable fee |
| Veterans' documents | FREE (required by law) |
Important Notes:
- Kentucky law requires fees be "reasonable" but doesn't set specific amounts
- Fees must be clearly disclosed in advance to the person requesting service
- What's "reasonable" depends on location, travel requirements, complexity, and market conditions
- Veterans exemption: KRS 64.300 prohibits charging fees for any papers filed in support of veterans' benefits claims
Kentucky-Specific Requirements
Seal/Stamp Requirements (Optional)
Kentucky is unique - a notary seal is not required as of January 1, 2020:
If You Choose to Use a Seal:
- Must include your name, title, jurisdiction, commission number, and expiration date
- If using an embosser, it must be inked
- Electronic notaries must use a specific digital seal format
Even Without a Seal:
- Your signature and proper notarial certificate language are sufficient
- Many businesses still expect a seal, so having one is practical
Journal Requirements
Traditional Paper Notarizations:
- Journal is not legally required but highly recommended
- Serves as evidence in case of disputes
Electronic and Online Notarizations:
- Electronic journal is mandatory
- Must record details of each electronic notarial act
Certificate Requirements
Every notarial certificate must include:
- Your signature
- The date of the notarial act
- Your official seal impression (if using one)
- Proper notarial wording for the act type
Oath of Office
The oath must be taken in person at your county clerk's office:
- Must be completed within 30 days of receiving your commission from the SOS
- County clerk administers the oath
- Failure to complete within 30 days revokes your commission
Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Kentucky
Kentucky authorizes Remote Online Notarization (RON) effective January 1, 2020, under Senate Bill 114 implementing the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA).
Becoming a Kentucky Remote Notary
To perform RON in Kentucky:
- Hold a valid Kentucky notary commission in good standing
- Register with the Secretary of State as an "Online Notary Public"
- Identify the specific technology you will use
- Obtain electronic signature, digital certificate, and electronic seal
- Contract with an approved RON technology platform
RON Technology Requirements
- Technology must allow simultaneous sight and sound communication
- Must use at least two different types of identity-proofing (e.g., credential analysis + knowledge-based authentication)
- Notary must be physically located in Kentucky
- Signer can be anywhere (with conditions for foreign locations)
RON Recording Requirements
- Electronic journal is mandatory for all RON sessions
- Audio-visual recording of each session required
- Records must be retained for 10+ years
RON Location Requirements
- The notary must be physically in Kentucky during the RON session
- The signer can be anywhere globally, provided:
- The record is for filing/use with a U.S. court or governmental entity, OR
- The transaction involves U.S. property, AND
- The act is not prohibited by the foreign state where the signer is located
Total Cost to Become a Kentucky Notary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| SOS Application Fee | $10 |
| Surety Bond (4 years) | $35-$55 |
| County Filing Fee | $19 |
| Notary Seal (optional) | $20-$50 |
| Journal (optional) | $15-$40 |
| Total Estimated | $64-$174 |
Note: Kentucky has one of the lowest startup costs for notaries due to the low bond requirement and optional seal.
For RON (additional):
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| RON Registration | Included with commission |
| RON Platform | Varies ($20-$50/month) |
| RON Additional Total | $0+ |
Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Submit SOS application | 1 day |
| SOS processing | 1-2 weeks |
| Obtain surety bond | Same day (online) |
| File with county clerk | 1 day |
| Order supplies (optional) | 3-5 days |
| Total | 2-4 weeks |
Important: You must complete county filing within 30 days of receiving your commission.
Renewing Your Kentucky Commission
Kentucky notary commissions are valid for 4 years.
Renewal Process:
- You may reapply within four weeks of your commission expiration date
- Complete a new application with the Secretary of State
- Obtain a new $1,000 surety bond
- Pay the $10 SOS application fee
- File with county clerk and pay $19 county filing fee
- Take a new oath of office
Important Notes:
- There is no grace period - if you miss the renewal window, you must start fresh
- Purchase a new seal (if using one) with your updated expiration date
Special Considerations
County-Based Filing
Kentucky notaries file with their county clerk, making the process unique:
- You must apply in the county where you reside OR work
- The county clerk administers your oath of office
- County filing fees are separate from SOS fees
Veterans Exemption
Under KRS 64.300, Kentucky notaries cannot charge fees to veterans for:
- Any papers necessary to file in support of claims for federal benefits
- This applies to the veteran or their dependents
- Includes National Guard, reserve components, and active duty military
No Seal Requirement
As of January 1, 2020, Kentucky notaries are not required to use a seal or stamp. However:
- Many businesses still expect to see a seal
- Using a seal provides visual authentication
- If you choose to use a seal, it must meet specific requirements
- Embossed seals must be inked for readability
Maintaining Your Commission
To keep your commission in good standing:
- Maintain your surety bond for the entire 4-year term
- Keep accurate records (journal recommended even if not required)
- Safeguard your seal (if using one)
- Report any address changes to the county clerk and SOS
- Complete renewal before your commission expires
Start Your Kentucky Notary Career Today
Kentucky offers one of the most affordable paths to becoming a notary public. With no exam, low bond requirements, and optional seal, you can start your notary career quickly and economically. The addition of RON authorization makes Kentucky an excellent state for building a notary business.