Notary Public
Kentucky
Notary Public Commission Requirements
4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
No
Exam Required
no exam needed
$1,000
Bond Required
surety bond
Application Process
VerifiedMeet eligibility requirements (18+, U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, Kentucky resident or employed in the county, no felony convictions)
Obtain a $1,000 surety bond
Download and complete the official Notary State at Large application from the SOS website
Mail the completed application with $10 non-refundable filing fee (payable to Kentucky State Treasurer) to the Secretary of State
SOS reviews and approves application, sends written notice or email notification (processing takes 2-6 weeks)
Certificate of Appointment is sent to your county clerk's office
Within 30 days of receiving Certificate of Appointment, take oath of office at county clerk's office
Present $1,000 surety bond to county clerk for filing
Pay $19 county clerk filing fee
Purchase notary seal/stamp (optional but recommended)
Basic Requirements
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
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident.
Background Check
Applicants cannot be convicted felons. This is verified through self-disclosure on the application.
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Not RequiredNo training or education is required for Kentucky notaries.
Exam
Not RequiredNo exam is required for Kentucky notaries.
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Required$1,000
$1,000 surety bond required. Must be presented to the county clerk for filing along with the oath of office within 30 days of receiving the Certificate of Appointment.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredOptional. E&O insurance is available but not required by the state.
Seal / Stamp
Not RequiredOptional but recommended. If used, must contain the notary's name as on commission, title, jurisdiction, commission number, and expiration date.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $10 |
Bond Premium Approximate premium for $1,000 surety bond. Actual cost varies by surety company. | $35 |
Stamp / Seal Seal is optional in Kentucky. If purchased, approximately $20-$30 from private vendors. | N/A (seal optional) |
Total Estimated Cost $10 SOS filing fee + $35 surety bond + $19 county clerk fees | $64 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Reapply to the Secretary of State within four weeks of current commission expiration date. Submit a new application form and $10 fee. Must obtain a new bond and re-register with the county clerk.
Renewal Fee
$10
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Kentucky permits remote online notarization as of January 1, 2020. Notaries may perform notarial acts for remotely located individuals via communication technology.
Additional Requirements
Must hold an active traditional notary commission; must comply with KRS Chapter 423 provisions for electronic notarization
Important Notes
What Makes Kentucky Unique
Kentucky is one of the most straightforward states for notary commissioning - no education, no exam, and the seal is optional. The $1,000 bond is among the lowest requirements nationally. The total cost of approximately $64 makes it one of the most affordable states to become a notary.
Kentucky is a 'State at Large' commission - notaries may perform notarial acts anywhere in the state, not just their county.
No education or exam is required, making it one of the simpler states to become a notary.
The $1,000 bond requirement is one of the lowest in the country.
The seal/stamp is optional but recommended - unusual among states.
Must complete oath and filing within 30 days of receiving Certificate of Appointment.
Application is by mail only (not online for the initial application).