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Notary Public
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
No
Exam Required
no exam needed
$1,000
Bond Required
surety bond
You must be a legal resident of Kentucky (or maintain a place of business there), be at least 18 years old, and be able to read and write English. You cannot have a disqualifying criminal record.
Submit your application to the Kentucky Secretary of State. Application fee: $10 (SOS filing fee).
Obtain a $1,000 surety bond. $1,000 surety bond filed with county clerk within 30 days of receiving commission. Bond cost: $20-$40.
Purchase an official notary stamp or seal that meets Kentucky requirements. Typical cost: $20-$40. Total estimated startup cost: $69-$109.
Once approved, you will receive your notary commission, valid for 4 years. You can then begin performing notarial acts in Kentucky. Remote online notarization (RON) is also permitted.
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be a resident of, or have a place of employment or practice in, the Kentucky county where the application is submitted.
Citizenship
U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
Background Check
Not required
Not sure if you need a notary license? Check whether your state requires one.
Education
Not RequiredNo education course required.
Exam
Not RequiredNo exam required.
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Surety Bond
Required$1,000
$1,000 surety bond filed with county clerk within 30 days of receiving commission.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredNot required.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredOfficial notary seal/stamp required.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $10 (SOS filing fee) |
Bond Premium Approximate premium for $1,000 bond | $20-$40 |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors | $20-$40 |
Total Estimated Cost $10 SOS + $19 county fees + bond + seal | $69-$109 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Submit application and $10 fee to Kentucky SOS to Kentucky Secretary of State
Receive commission certificate
Obtain $1,000 surety bond
File bond and take oath at county clerk within 30 days ($19 county fee)
Purchase notary seal/stamp
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Submit new application and fee to SOS. File new bond with county clerk.
Renewal Fee
$10 (SOS) + $19 (county)
Regulatory Board
Kentucky authorizes remote online notarization.
Additional Requirements
Must comply with Kentucky's RON requirements.
What Makes Kentucky Unique
Kentucky commissions notaries public. The application fee is $10 (SOS filing fee). Neighboring states include Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, each with their own notary public requirements.
Kentucky has one of the lowest bond requirements at $1,000.
County clerk fees of $19 cover recording, bond preparation, and oath.
No exam or education required. Kentucky does not impose this requirement on notary publics at the state level.
Kentucky permits Remote Online Notarization (RON), enabling notaries to perform notarizations via audio-video technology for signers located anywhere.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to obtain a notary public credential in Kentucky.
Notary requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Kentucky
See how Kentucky compares: Notary License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare notary requirements across all states →
Notary licensing requirements nationwide →
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How does Kentucky compare to other states for notary? See the full comparison →
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Official Sources
Notary requirements in Kentucky verified against Kentucky Secretary of State, April 2026.
Moving to Kentucky? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Notary license to Kentucky →
Transfer your Notary license from Kentucky to: Illinois → | Indiana → | Missouri → | Ohio → | Tennessee → | Virginia → | West Virginia →
Study guides and practice tests for the notary public exam.
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