How to Become a Kentucky Notary

Along with the bond, our notary package also includes a more detailed copy of application instructions that guide you through this process.

1) Meet State of Kentucky Notary Requirements to be a Notary Public

In order to become a Notary in Kentucky, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a United States citizen or legal permanent resident
  • Be a Kentucky resident (or employed in the Kentucky county where the application is made)
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be able to read and write English; and not disqualified under state statute KRS 423.395
  • Have reviewed notary law and understands the duties of a notary public

2) Purchase a Notary Bond

All Kentucky notaries require a $1,000 notary bond. The state does not provide these bonds, but one is included with the notary package available on Notaries.com. Be sure to provide your full legal name for your surety bond as per state statutes KRS Ch. 423 and 30 KAR 8:005 full legal name must be on commission certificate as well as on any stamp or seal to be used.

After purchase, please print the pdf emailed to you and complete the application process with the state. You will need to forward your “Notification of Appointment” that is coming in an EMAIL from the state. Then we will issue the $1,000 surety bond via email as you only have 30 days to get sworn in at your county clerk’s office.

3) Fill Out the State Application

When you purchase our notary package, we fill out a copy of the state application with the information you provided then email it to you.

You can then print the pre-filled application, print and sign your name on the application.

4) Submit Application

Your application must include:

  • A printed and signed application
  • A $10 check made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer for the notary filing fee. The fee is only payable by check if you're mailing the application; we do not collect the state fee from you when you purchase the notary package.

The application may be mailed to the office at the address provided below along with the fee of $10 or the application may be submitted online and the fee may be paid electronically: https://web.sos.ky.gov/notaries

Kentucky State Treasurer
Notary Commissions
P O Box 821
Frankfort, KY 40602-0821

5) Complete the Notary Commission Certificate Process

After you've submitted your application to the state, it may take up to six weeks for you to receive your Notary Notification of Appointment.

  • Email us your Notification of Appointment so that we may issue to you your notary bond via email.
  • Contact your County Clerk’s office for instructions on filing your $1,000 notary bond that we email to you
  • Email us a copy of the Commission Certificate as authorization to manufacture your notary supplies to info@notaries.com.
  • Receive Your Notary Stamp

Kentucky does not require you to have a notary stamp, however, our notary package does include a custom self-inking notary stamp as well as a journal.

This stamp includes:

  • Your full legal name as it appears on the application and bond
  • Notary Public, Commonwealth of Kentucky
  • The notary commission number and expiration date*

Because the expiration date and commission number are required, we cannot manufacture your notary stamp until you’ve received your Notary Commission Certificate with your expiration date listed on it and emailed it to info@notaries.com.

NOTE: The state requires that we receive a copy of your Notary Commission Certificate before we can manufacture your stamp.

We will manufacture your notary stamp that will meet or exceed state specifications and promptly ship it to you via UPS to the address you gave us at registration.

For the state of Kentucky, we strongly recommend all our notaries keep a journal of their work. That’s why we include a notary record keeping journal in our complete notary package.