For Notaries · Kentucky
How to Become a Notary in Kentucky
To become a notary in Kentucky, you must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, and either live or work in the county where you apply. File your application with the Secretary of State, pay the $10 state fee, and post a $1,000 surety bond. No exam or course is required, and commissions run a 4-year term.
Need a document notarized instead? This guide covers becoming a commissioned notary in Kentucky. If you are looking for a notary today, compare where to get a document notarized in Kentucky or notarize it online in minutes.
Last updated: October 1, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
Kentucky notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State as a "notary public, state at large," making this one of the simpler states to enter—there is no mandatory course and no exam. You apply directly to the Secretary of State with a $10 fee, and once approved you have 30 days to finish your appointment at the county clerk's office by taking the oath and filing a $1,000 surety bond. Recording fees at the clerk total about $19. Commissions last four years and can be renewed by reapplying. If you want to notarize digital documents or serve signers over live video, Kentucky also lets commissioned notaries register with the Secretary of State to perform electronic and remote online notarizations.
Kentucky Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | Be at least 18 years old; be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident; be a resident of Kentucky OR have a place of employment or practice in the Kentucky county where you apply; be able to read and write English; and not be disqualified under KRS 423.395 (grounds include fraud, dishonesty, deceit, or certain felony convictions). |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | Yes. Post a $1,000 surety bond for the 4-year commission, obtained from an insurance company approved by the Kentucky Department of Insurance. Since January 1, 2020, a property owner may no longer sign as surety—an insurance bond is required. The bond is filed at the county clerk's office when you take your oath. |
| State filing fee | $10.00 non-refundable application fee payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer, submitted to the Secretary of State. Separately, the county clerk charges a $19.00 recording fee ($10 to record the bond, $4 to take/prepare the bond, $5 to administer the oath). |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Notary education | Not required. Kentucky does not mandate any notary education, training course, or class to be commissioned. |
| Exam | Not required. Kentucky does not require a proctored or written notary exam. |
Kentucky requires a $10 application fee to the Secretary of State, a $1,000 surety bond, and issues commissions valid for four years, with a $19 county clerk recording fee. — Kenton County Clerk – Notary Public
How to Become a Notary in Kentucky: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
Verify you are at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, can read and write English, and either live or work in the Kentucky county where you apply. You must not be disqualified under KRS 423.395.
- 2
Submit your application to the Secretary of State
Complete the Notary Public State at Large form and submit it online or by mail with the $10.00 fee payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. No exam or training course is required.
- 3
Obtain your $1,000 surety bond
After the Secretary of State approves your application, purchase a $1,000, 4-year surety bond from an approved insurance company. You have 30 days from the approval notice to finish your appointment.
- 4
Take your oath and file at the county clerk
Visit your county clerk's office to take the oath of office and file your bond and certificate of appointment, paying the $19.00 recording fee.
- 5
Get your supplies and start notarizing
Order a notary stamp/seal (optional for paper acts but commonly used) and a journal, then begin performing notarizations across Kentucky.
- 6
Optional: register for online notarization
To perform electronic or remote online notarizations, register with the Secretary of State, choose a notary technology provider registered with the Secretary of State, and pay the registration fee (in addition to the commission fee).
How to Become an Online (Remote) Notary in Kentucky
Kentucky has operative remote online notarization. Before performing an initial online notarial act, a commissioned Kentucky notary registers with the Secretary of State as an online notary public: hold an active commission, choose from the notary technology providers registered with the Secretary of State, provide your digital certification and proof of your $1,000 surety bond, and pay the registration fee (in addition to the commission application fee). The notary must be physically located in Kentucky while performing the act. Registration takes effect 30 days after you comply with all registration requirements and pay the required fee. Online notaries must keep a journal and retain the recording of each remote session for at least 10 years.
Online / remote notary application fee: A registration fee applies in addition to the commission application fee (KRS 423.390(10)(c)); KRS 423.430 does not state the amount, so confirm it with the Secretary of State. A Kentucky notary may charge a fee that complies with KRS 64.300 and is clearly disclosed to the person in advance (KRS 423.430).
Remote/online notarization operative in Kentucky as of January 1, 2020 under KRS 423.300–423.455 (2019 Ky. Acts ch. 86; see KRS 423.355 and 423.390).
See how RON is authorized in Kentucky — and state by state →
The commission, the RON registration and the platform account are three separate things — which of them you can do entirely online sorts them out.
Walk through the Kentucky remote online notarization process →
Need a document notarized in Kentucky instead? Notarize online with a Kentucky commissioned notary.
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in Kentucky
Kentucky allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a Kentucky 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 Kentucky? | 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 Kentucky?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State application fee (Secretary of State) | $10 |
| County clerk recording fee (bond + oath) | $19 |
| $1,000 surety bond (4-year) | ~$35–$55 |
| Notary stamp/seal & journal | Varies by supplier |
| Education / exam | $0 (not required) |
| Optional RON registration (Secretary of State) | Registration fee (confirm amount with the Secretary of State) + provider fees |
See what USA Notary costs a Kentucky notary for platform-side details.
What a Kentucky Notary Can Charge
The costs above are what you pay to get commissioned — this is the other side of the ledger. Kentucky is one of the states that sets no statutory maximum on the in-person notarial fee, so the per-act price is whatever you and the signer agree to.
| Maximum in-person fee (per notarial act) | No cap |
|---|---|
| Maximum remote online notarization (RON) fee | No cap |
A statutory maximum is a ceiling, not a price list, and it covers the notarial act only — travel, printing and after-hours convenience are quoted as separate line items. See how Kentucky compares with every other state in the how Kentucky fees compare across all 50 states.
This figure follows the National Notary Association "Notary Fees by State" chart (page last updated Sep 16, 2026, retrieved October 1, 2026); we have not checked it against the statute. Fees are per notarial act or signature, and a notary may charge less than the cap; separately permitted charges such as travel or an online-platform technology fee are not part of it. Confirm before relying on a figure.
Renewing Your Notary Commission in Kentucky
Commission term in Kentucky
4 years
No state renews a commission automatically, and notarizing on a lapsed one is treated as acting without authority — start the renewal before the date above arrives.
For timelines, typical costs, and what to do if you've already let a commission lapse, see our step-by-step notary commission renewal guide.
Turn Your Kentucky Commission Into Income
USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. How Kentucky notaries earn · membership cost · platform requirements · other states · compare RON platforms for Kentucky notaries
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
How long does a Kentucky notary commission last?
Kentucky notary commissions are valid for four years. The Secretary of State does not send expiration reminders, so reapply before your commission lapses—typically about four weeks in advance.
Do I need to take a class or pass an exam?
No. Kentucky does not require any notary education course or exam. You simply meet the eligibility rules, apply to the Secretary of State, and post your bond.
What does it cost to become a notary in Kentucky?
Expect roughly $60–$90 total: a $10 state application fee, a $19 county clerk recording fee, and about $35–$55 for the required $1,000 surety bond, plus optional stamp and journal supplies.
Who appoints notaries in Kentucky?
The Kentucky Secretary of State commissions notaries public, state at large. After approval you complete your appointment at your county clerk's office by taking the oath and filing your bond.
Can Kentucky notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. Since January 1, 2020, commissioned notaries can register with the Secretary of State as online notaries, choose a registered notary technology provider, and pay the registration fee to perform electronic and remote online notarizations. The notary must be physically located in Kentucky during the act.
Is a surety bond required?
Yes. You must post a $1,000 surety bond from an approved insurance company for your four-year term. As of January 1, 2020, a property owner can no longer act as surety.
How much can a notary charge in Kentucky?
Kentucky sets no statutory maximum on the in-person notarial fee — it is whatever the notary and signer agree, disclosed before the appointment.
How much can a Kentucky notary charge for online notarization?
Kentucky sets no statutory cap on the fee for a remote online notarization.
When does a Kentucky notary commission expire?
The Kentucky commission term is: 4 years. No state renews a commission automatically — once yours lapses you cannot perform notarial acts until the renewal or reappointment is complete, so calendar the expiration date and start the paperwork early.
Where to go from here
The rest of the questions are the same in every state, so they live in one place each:
- How long it takes to become a notary — application, processing queue, and the waiting you can't control.
- What it costs to become a notary — the same line items as the Kentucky cost table, priced across every state.
- Notary bond vs. E&O insurance — which one is a state requirement and which is your own call.
- what a Kentucky loan signing agent does and earns — the highest-earning specialization once your commission arrives.
Becoming a Notary in Other States
Requirements differ by state — here are nearby East South 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 — personally completing more than 10,000 notarizations — 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
- Kentucky Secretary of State – Notary Public State at Large
- American Society of Notaries – Kentucky Requirements
- Kenton County Clerk – Notary Public (fees, bond, term)
- Kentucky Revised Statutes 423.390 - Commission and online notary registration
- Kentucky Revised Statutes 423.430 - Fees
- Kentucky Revised Statutes 423.355 - Online notarization
- Kentucky Secretary of State - Notary Technology Provider Registration
This guide summarizes public requirements from Kentucky'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.