How to become a notary public in Kentucky

Kentucky notary public licenses

Kentucky issues 2 notary public credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every Kentucky notary public license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old¹

Exam

Not required¹⁶

Surety bond

$1,000¹⁶

How to apply

Apply online

web.sos.ky.gov²⁵

Application form

Form (PDF, web.sos.ky.gov)⁴⁵

Renewal

How often

Every 4 years¹⁶

Renew online

web.sos.ky.gov²

Who needs a Notary Public, State at Large license

Take acknowledgments, administer oaths and affirmations, take verifications, certify copies and depositions, protest negotiable instruments and witness signatures in any Kentucky county. Remote notarization of paper (tangible) records is allowed after emailing the SOS a notice naming the platform (no fee stated); electronic and online notarization need a separate registration.⁴

Requirements for a Notary Public, State at Large license

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Background check

Background check required²
No fingerprints required²
Felony convictions bar the office unless civil rights are restored by the Governor; fraud/dishonesty crimes and prior license or notary discipline must be explained with documents, and these applications must be mailed.²

Residency or citizenship

U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident who lives in, or works or practices in, the Kentucky county where the application is made (non-residents who work in Kentucky qualify).²

Also required

Hand-written (wet) signature on the application; electronic or stylus signatures are rejected.²

Also required

Must appear in person before the county clerk within 30 days of approval to take the oath and file the bond.⁴

How much a Notary Public, State at Large license costs

You pay SOS (3 fees) and Fayette County Clerk (county clerk fee (filing bond and administering oath) - Fayette County).

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

What a notary public may charge the public:

• No fixed maximum in KRS 423.430: a notary may charge a fee that complies with KRS 64.300 and is clearly disclosed in advance.³

How to apply

1. Check eligibility: 18+, U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, live or work in the Kentucky county you apply in, read and write English, not disqualified under KRS 423.395.²
2. Complete the Notary Public Application for Appointment or Reappointment with a hand-written signature and submit it online with the $10 fee, or mail it with a check to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Applicants answering YES to a disclosure question must mail it with documents and a background check.² Form (PDF, web.sos.ky.gov)⁴
3. Arrange a $1,000 notary surety bond with a surety authorized in Kentucky.²
4. Within 30 days of the approval notice, appear in person at the county clerk, take the oath, file the bond and commission, and pay the clerk fee (Fayette: $19).¹
5. Begin notarizing only once the commission and bond are filed and the oath is taken; the clerk records this in the SOS database.⁸ web.sos.ky.gov⁸

Processing time

No processing time is published. The application form says that if the approval notification is not received within 10 business days, you may contact the office; after approval you have 30 days to complete the oath and bond at the county clerk.²

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Apply to renew no earlier than 60 days before expiration; re-file bond and retake oath at the county clerk. If the commission has already expired, it is treated as a new appointment; no notarizing between expiration and renewal.²

Renewal fee

$10³

If it expires

No grace period: no authority to notarize between expiration and the effective date of the renewal.¹

Moving to Kentucky with a license from another state

These are the routes SOS publishes for the Notary Public, State at Large license. The other notary public licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Registration to perform notarial acts with respect to electronic records

Electronic notarization in person, or online notarization of remotely located signers plus in-person electronic, using an SOS-registered technology provider; the notary must be in Kentucky.⁵

Requirements

Experience

Must be a commissioned Kentucky notary who has completed oath and bond filing.¹
License you must hold first: Ky-notary-public-state-at-large⁵

Background check

Background check required⁶

Also required

Begin onboarding with each chosen SOS-listed technology provider and apply electronic signature, electronic stamp and digital certificate on the form.⁹

How to apply

1. Complete the Kentucky notary commission, bond and oath first.¹
2. Choose one or more SOS-listed technology providers (Electronic In Person only, or Remote/Online + Electronic In Person) and start onboarding.⁹
3. Fill in the registration form, apply your electronic signature, electronic stamp and digital certificate, and submit it electronically through the SOS registration page.⁹ web.sos.ky.gov⁵
4. Wait for approval (within 30 days) before your first electronic or online notarial act.¹

Processing time

Registration approved within 30 days of submission if compliant.⁶

Renewal

When it expires

Renews automatically with the commission; suspended by law if the commission lapses.⁶

From another state

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Notary Public, State at LargeTwo-stage process: the Secretary of State approves the application ($10), then within 30 days the applicant posts the $1,000 bond and takes the oath at the county clerk of the county named on the application, paying the clerk's fees under KRS 64.012.¹

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a notary public in Kentucky, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Kentucky is on the Kentucky license lookup page.

Look up a license

web.sos.ky.gov⁸

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• KRS 423.390 (commission; qualifications; oath, bond and filing with county clerk; renewal; electronic registration)
• KRS 423.395 (denial, revocation)
• KRS 423.430
• KRS 423.400 (database; county clerk records oath)
• KRS 64.012
• 30 KAR 8:005
• KRS 423.390(10)-(15) (electronic/online registration)
• KRS 423.455 (remotely located individuals)
• 30 KAR 8:005 Sections 3-5

Common questions

Notary public licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming