Kentucky has one of the cheapest notary entry points in the country — $10 application fee, $1,000 bond, no exam, no course. Senate Bill 114 modernized the bond requirement in 2020 (single $1,000 statewide replacing per-county bonds).
Under KRS 423.390 and related sections, the requirements are:
Kentucky's startup costs are among the lowest in the country. The $1,000 bond is one of the smallest required by any state.
| Item | Required? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State application fee | Required | $10 |
| $1,000 surety bond (4-year term) | Required | $30–$55 |
| County clerk filing fee | Required | $19 |
| Notary stamp/seal | Optional in KY (recommended) | $15–$35 |
| Notary journal | Optional but recommended | $10–$25 |
| E&O insurance (recommended) | Optional | $25–$50/yr |
| Total to get commissioned | $84–$144 |
You have 30 days to file your bond after receiving your commission certificate. Miss this deadline and your commission is revoked — you have to restart. Kentucky is one of the few states where the seal is technically optional, but most notaries still order one for credibility.
The process is straightforward — no exam, no course, just paperwork.
Apply online or by mail with the $10 application fee. Mail to: Kentucky Secretary of State, P.O. Box 718, Frankfort, KY 40602-0718. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks.
The SOS issues your commission certificate upon approval. You'll receive notification by email or mail.
Buy your 4-year, $1,000 bond from any surety provider authorized in Kentucky. Cost is typically $30-$55.
Take your bond to the county clerk in your county of residence (or county of employment for non-resident applicants). Pay the $19 county filing fee. The clerk records your bond and administers your oath of office.
Although technically optional in Kentucky, almost every notary orders a stamp for professional credibility and document standardization. Standard stamp includes your name, "Notary Public," "Commonwealth of Kentucky," and your commission expiration date.
Kentucky notaries can perform these acts statewide under KRS Chapter 423:
Kentucky lets notaries set their own fees — no statutory caps:
Louisville and Lexington are the largest markets. Northern Kentucky (Covington, Florence) benefits from Cincinnati metro spillover. Bowling Green and Owensboro are smaller but underserved markets with less competition.
Kentucky authorized remote online notarization. To perform RON in KY:
Your Kentucky commission is valid for 4 years. Renewal can start 4 weeks before expiration.
Submit a renewal application, purchase a new $1,000 bond, file with the county clerk, and you're renewed. Same fees as initial: $10 SOS + $19 county. If your commission lapses, you're treated as a new applicant.
Yes. Kentucky is one of the very few states that doesn't legally require notary seals/stamps. However, most lenders, title companies, and government agencies expect a stamp on notarized documents. Operating without one limits your practical client base — get a stamp.
Kentucky's bond requirement is one of the lowest in the country. Senate Bill 114 (2019) simplified the bond requirements — previously each county set its own bond amount. Now there's a single $1,000 statewide bond. The lower amount means less public protection but cheaper startup.
Yes. Your commission is statewide once you've filed your bond and taken your oath.
Yes. Kentucky allows non-residents who have a place of employment or practice in Kentucky to become commissioned. You'd be commissioned in the county where you work, not the county where you live.
After your commission certificate is issued by the Secretary of State, you have 30 days to file your bond with your county clerk and take the oath. Miss this 30-day window and your commission is automatically revoked. You'd need to reapply and pay another $10 fee.
No statutory hard caps. Kentucky notaries can charge reasonable market rates. The KY Notary Public Handbook provides guidance but no enforceable limits.
Kentucky's low startup cost ($50-110 vs. $200+ in many states) makes it an accessible entry point. Louisville and Northern Kentucky have strong mobile notary demand. We're recruiting founding-cohort Kentucky notaries now — 10 spots, $10 platform fee for life.
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