The bond protects the public
Every Kentucky notary must carry a $1,000 surety bond for the full four-year commission. If a notary's mistake or misconduct causes someone a loss, that person can claim against the bond. The surety pays a valid claim and then collects that amount back from the notary.
So the bond guarantees the public will be paid. It does not pay for you.
E&O protects you
Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance covers you if a notarization mistake leads to a claim against you. Up to the policy limit, the insurer pays the claim instead of you. You do not repay the insurer the way you repay a surety.
Kentucky does not require E&O. Every Bluegrass Notary Bond package includes $5,000 of E&O at no additional cost.
Side by side
| Notary bond | E&O insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it protects | The public | You, the notary |
| Required in Kentucky | Yes | No |
| Amount | $1,000 | The limit on your policy ($5,000 included with Bluegrass) |
| Who ends up paying a valid claim | You, after the surety pays and collects from you | The insurer, up to the limit |
| Filed with the county clerk | Yes | No |
| Term | Four years, matching your commission | Set by the policy |
An example
A notary does not check a signer's ID closely, and a forged document goes through. The person harmed loses $800 and files a claim.
- With only the bond: the surety pays the $800 claim, then sends the notary the bill for $800.
- With the bond and $5,000 of E&O: the E&O insurer handles the claim up to its $5,000 limit, so the notary is not paying the $800 out of pocket.
If you want a higher limit
You can raise your E&O limit during bond checkout. These totals replace the $20 base price rather than adding to it, and each covers the same 4-year, $1,000 bond:
| E&O limit with your bond | Total at checkout |
|---|---|
| $5,000 (included) | $20 |
| $10,000 | $51 |
| $15,000 | $71 |
| $30,000 | $97 |
Already bonded somewhere else? You can buy E&O on its own: $5,000 is $31, $10,000 is $51, $25,000 is $76, and $50,000 is $112. E&O is not filed with the county clerk or the Secretary of State.
Which limit fits depends on the documents you notarize and the risk you carry. The choice is yours. If you want to talk it through, ask Cardinal in the chat or call us.
Kentucky notary bond. $20.
4-year, $1,000 bond with $5,000 of E&O included. Your bond documents are emailed right after purchase, ready for your county clerk visit. About 10 minutes.
Get My BondSee the full Kentucky notary bond price breakdown and step-by-step process.
Common questions
Is E&O insurance required for Kentucky notaries?
No. Kentucky requires the $1,000 notary bond. E&O is optional, and every Bluegrass Notary Bond package includes $5,000 of E&O at no additional cost.
Is the $5,000 of E&O really included in the $20 price?
Yes. The $20 Bluegrass Notary Bond package is the 4-year, $1,000 bond with $5,000 of E&O coverage included at no additional cost.
Can I get more than $5,000 of E&O with my Kentucky bond?
Yes. At bond checkout, $10,000 of E&O is $51, $15,000 is $71, and $30,000 is $97. Those totals replace the $20 base price and include the same 4-year, $1,000 bond.
I already have a Kentucky notary bond. Can I buy E&O by itself?
Yes. Standalone E&O is $31 for $5,000, $51 for $10,000, $76 for $25,000, and $112 for $50,000. It does not need to be filed with the county clerk or the Secretary of State.
Who underwrites the Bluegrass notary bond?
American Surety Company, an A-rated carrier.
Sources: Kentucky Secretary of State, Notary Public · Notary Public, State at Large application (PDF) · KRS 423.390