How much does a notary cost in Kentucky?
Most "notary cost" pages are run by an online-notarization platform or a notary supplier — each answering with its own product. This one isn't. Here's what it actually costs in Kentucky, all your options compared fairly — including the one where your bank does it for free.
The two prices, separated
1 · The notarial fee
State-capped. This is the official act — verifying you, witnessing the signature, applying the stamp. It's the same amount whether you drive to the notary or they drive to you.
2 · The travel / convenience fee
KRS 423.430(2) expressly provides that compensation for services a notary provides which do not constitute notarial acts is not governed by the fee statute, so a mobile/travel trip fee is not capped and is negotiated separately. Unlike the notarial-act fee, no statute specifically mandates advance disclosure of the travel fee, though disclosing it up front is best practice. It only applies when a notary comes to you — a bank or walk-in counter doesn't charge it.
Your options, compared honestly
Kentucky specifics
Fee schedule: Kentucky sets no statutory maximum notary fee — the notary sets the fee; confirm the amount in advance.
Travel fees: KRS 423.430(2) expressly provides that compensation for services a notary provides which do not constitute notarial acts is not governed by the fee statute, so a mobile/travel trip fee is not capped and is negotiated separately. Unlike the notarial-act fee, no statute specifically mandates advance disclosure of the travel fee, though disclosing it up front is best practice.
No statutory fee cap on notarial acts — but the fee MUST be clearly disclosed to the signer in advance under KRS 423.430(1)(b).
Jurats affixed for federal veterans'/military-benefit claims (National Guard, reserves, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, or their dependents) must be done free of charge — KRS 64.300.
Mobile/travel fees are not notarial-act fees and are not statutorily governed (KRS 423.430(2)); they are negotiated separately and are not capped.
The notary seal/stamp is technically optional in Kentucky, though most notaries use one.
Contrary to several third-party notary sites, there is NO '$5 per act' cap and no RON-specific fee cap in KRS 423.455 — that section contains no fee provision at all.
RON has been live since Jan 1, 2020; the remote session's audio-visual recording must be retained for at least 10 years.
Secretary of State statutory fees (paid by the notary, not the signer): $10 commission/renewal application, $10 replacement/update, $5 per apostille or electronic certificate of authority — KRS 423.430(3).
Remote online notarization: RON · Live in-state — Authorized and operational statewide since January 1, 2020 (Senate Bill 114, 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 86). Under KRS 423.455, the notary must be physically located in Kentucky; the signer (remotely located individual) may appear via audio-visual communication technology from anywhere, including outside the U.S. when the record relates to a U.S. court/government matter or U.S. property/transaction and the act is not prohibited where the signer is located. Requires two-factor identity proofing (or personal knowledge/credible witness), an audio-visual recording retained at least 10 years, and one-time notification to the Secretary of State identifying the technology before the notary's first remote act (KRS 423.455(6)). No RON-specific fee cap exists — the RON/electronic fee falls under KRS 423.430(1) → KRS 64.300, which sets no maximum.
Official source: Kentucky Secretary of State — Notary Commissions →Before you pay
- Ask to confirm the notary's commission is current (a mobile notary should be happy to show it).
- Get the total quoted upfront and itemized — the No statutory cap notarial fee separate from any travel/convenience fee.
- Ask for a receipt.
- For online/remote notarization, confirm the party receiving your document accepts it.
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Figures on this page are sourced to Kentucky Secretary of State — Notary Commissions (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 423.430 (notary fees), which sets the notarial-act fee "in compliance with KRS 64.300"; KRS 64.300 imposes no cap (veterans'-benefit jurat exemption only).), verified 2026-07-14. This is general information, not legal advice — confirm specifics with the official authority.