How to Get a Kentucky Notary Bond and Commission

What the Kentucky notary bond is

Every Kentucky notary needs a $1,000 surety bond that covers the whole four-year commission. Since January 1, 2020, the bond has to come from an insurance company (a surety) authorized in Kentucky. You can only notarize while a valid bond is on file with your county clerk.

The bond protects the public, not you. If a claim is paid, the surety collects that amount back from the notary. The coverage that protects you is Errors and Omissions (E&O), a separate policy. Our guide on the notary bond versus E&O explains the difference.

Who can become a Kentucky notary

• At least 18 years old
• A U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
• You live in, or have a place of employment or practice in, the county you apply in. People who live in another state but work in a Kentucky county qualify.
• Able to read and write English

The Secretary of State may deny an applicant convicted of a felony or of a crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit. That is a judgment call, not an automatic bar. If you answer yes to a criminal history question, you need to include a written explanation and supporting documents, a background check is part of the review, and the application has to be mailed.

The steps, in order

1. Print and sign the application. Use the Notary Public, State at Large application from the Secretary of State. Print it and sign it by hand. Electronic and stylus signatures are not accepted. Only you sign it. No county official signs the application.
2. Submit it with the $10 fee. Send it online or by mail. The fee is payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.
3. Get your $1,000 bond. Through Bluegrass Notary Bond the 4-year bond is $20, with $5,000 of E&O included at no additional cost. American Surety Company underwrites it, and your bond documents are emailed right after purchase. You need the bond in hand for your county clerk visit.
4. Watch for the approval notice. The Secretary of State emails an approval notice when your application is approved.
5. Visit your county clerk within 30 days. Within 30 days of receiving the approval notice, go in person to the county clerk named on your application. Take the oath, file your bond, pay the clerk fees (typically $19), and receive your commission certificate. Our county clerk filing guide covers what to bring.

What it costs

Some counties add a surcharge when you pay by card. A seal is optional in Kentucky, so it is not part of the required cost.

After you are commissioned

• Seal: optional in Kentucky. If you use one, it must show your name, title, jurisdiction, commission number and expiration date, and it must reproduce clearly on a photocopy.
• Journal: required only for online notaries, who keep it for 10 years. For paper notarizations it is optional but recommended.
• Your fees: Kentucky sets no state maximum fee per notarial act. You set your fee and must tell the signer in advance. You may not charge for a jurat on a military veteran's federal benefit claim.
• Electronic and online notarizations: these require a separate registration with the Secretary of State before you perform them, and an online notary must be physically in Kentucky during the act.

Mistakes that slow people down

• Signing the application electronically. It has to be printed and signed by hand.
• Naming the wrong county. The county on your application must be one where you live or work, and that county's clerk is where you take your oath.
• Letting the 30 days run out. If you miss the 30 days, you may have to start over with a new application and fee.
• Notarizing too early. You can only notarize once your bond is on file with the county clerk.