For Notaries · Kansas
How to Become a Notary in Kansas
To become a notary in Kansas, you must be at least 18, a Kansas resident (or work regularly in Kansas from a bordering state), and able to read and write English. Buy a $12,000 four-year surety bond, then file your application and $25 fee with the Kansas Secretary of State. No exam is required.
Last updated: July 9, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
Kansas is one of the easier states in which to get commissioned: there is no state exam and no mandatory education course to become a traditional notary public. You do, however, need a $12,000 four-year surety bond and a $25 filing fee, and the Kansas Secretary of State — not your bonding company — sets your commission dates. If you want to work online, Kansas fully supports remote online notarization (RON) once you add a short, free state training course, obtain a digital certificate, and register with the state.
Kansas Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | At least 18 years old; a legal resident of Kansas or a resident of a bordering state with a regular place of employment or practice in Kansas; able to read and write the English language; no felony conviction and no prior notary commission revocation. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | $12,000 four-year surety bond (required for all applicants since January 1, 2022), obtained from an insurance company licensed to do business in Kansas. |
| State filing fee | $25 |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Notary education | Not required for a traditional Kansas notary — Kansas notary law does not mandate a course to become a notary public. |
| Exam | Not required for a traditional Kansas notary. Registering for remote online notarization (RON) requires completing a training course and passing an exam, offered at no cost through the Kansas Secretary of State's online portal. |
Since January 1, 2022, Kansas requires a $12,000 surety bond, written for a four-year term, for every new or renewing notary public, filed with a $25 application fee. — Kansas Secretary of State — Notary
How to Become a Notary in Kansas: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
You must be at least 18, a Kansas resident (or a resident of a bordering state with a regular place of employment or practice in Kansas), able to read and write English, with no felony conviction and no prior notary commission revocation.
- 2
Get a $12,000 four-year surety bond
Purchase a $12,000 notary surety bond, written for a four-year term, from an insurance company licensed in Kansas. The bond protects the public, not you, so many notaries also add separate errors-and-omissions coverage.
- 3
Complete the notary application and get your seal
Fill out the Kansas Notary Public Appointment application (Form NO). Kansas does not require a course or exam for a traditional notary. Order your official rubber-stamp seal so you're ready to notarize once commissioned.
- 4
File with the Secretary of State and pay $25
Submit your completed application with proof of your $12,000 bond to the Kansas Secretary of State and pay the $25 filing fee. The Secretary of State sets your official commission dates.
- 5
Receive your commission and, optionally, register for RON
Once approved, you receive a four-year commission and a notary ID number. To work online, complete the free state RON training and exam, get a digital certificate, and file Form NC with the $20 registration fee.
How to Become an Online (Remote) Notary in Kansas
Kansas permits remote online notarization. You must first hold a current Kansas notary commission, then choose an approved RON technology provider on file with the Secretary of State, complete a free training course and pass an exam through the SOS online portal, obtain a digital certificate, notify the state using Form NC (with your training certificate), and pay the $20 RON registration fee. A Kansas notary may only perform a remote notarization while physically located in Kansas.
Online / remote notary application fee: $20 RON registration fee
RON registration runs concurrent with your four-year notary commission; you cannot register for RON without first holding a Kansas commission number.
Walk through the Kansas remote online notarization process →
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in Kansas
Kansas allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a Kansas commission you can register to notarize for signers who appear over live video — and take on assigned online signings.
| Traditional (in-person) notary | Remote online notary (RON) | |
|---|---|---|
| How the signer appears | In person, in the same room | Over a live, recorded audio-video call |
| Available in Kansas? | Yes | Available now — register once commissioned |
| What you need | Seal and journal | An approved RON platform, identity-proofing, and a digital certificate |
| Where the work comes from | Local, walk-in and mobile appointments | Nationwide — e.g. assigned online signings through USA Notary |
What Does It Cost to Become a Notary in Kansas?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State filing fee | $25 (fixed by the state) |
| $12,000 surety bond | Premium varies by bonding company |
| Notary seal/stamp, journal & supplies | Varies by provider |
| RON registration (optional) | $20 (fixed by the state) |
See costs and fees on USA Notary for platform-side details.
Turn Your Kansas Commission Into Income
Getting commissioned is step one. USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. Learn how Kansas notaries earn, check the platform requirements for Kansas notaries, and browse become-a-notary guides for other states.
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
Becoming a Notary in Other States
Requirements differ by state — here are nearby West North Central guides and other popular states. See the full 50-state directory.
About the author
Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC
CEO & Founder, USA Notary Services LLC
Andrew Ray Yon is the founder and CEO of USA Notary Services LLC and the architect of the SharpNote remote online notarization platform. A Certified Notary Signing Agent since 2005, he has handled mortgage and title loan signings for two decades and holds an MBA and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation. Based in Virginia’s Greater Richmond region, he leads the company’s strategy, compliance, and platform development.
Connect on LinkedInOfficial sources
- Kansas Secretary of State — Notary
- Kansas Notary Handbook (Secretary of State)
- American Association of Notaries — How to Become a Notary in Kansas
This guide summarizes public requirements from Kansas's notary authority and is for general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees can change — always confirm current details with your state before applying.