Notaries
A notary public is an official of the Commonwealth of Kentucky appointed to take acknowledgments,
administer oaths and affirmations, take verifications, certify that a copy of a document is a true copy,
certify depositions, protest negotiable instruments, witness or attest signatures,
and perform other notarial acts authorized by Kentucky Revised Statute.
A notary public may also certify that a tangible copy of an electronic record is an
accurate copy of the electronic record if the notary has taken reasonable steps to confirm the accuracy of that
certification.
Notary Public State at Large
A notary public, state at large, is a resident or non-resident of Kentucky who is appointed by the Secretary of State
under KRS 423.390
to perform notarial acts within the state of Kentucky.
An applicant for a commission as a notary public, state at large, must:
- Be at least eighteen years of age;
- Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States;
- Be a resident of, or have a place of employment or practice in the Kentucky county where the application is made;
- Be able to read and write English; and not disqualified under
KRS 423.395.
An applicant may be denied appointment as a notary public, state at large, for:
- Failure to comply with Kentucky notary laws;
- Fraud, deceit or omission on the notary application;
- Conviction of any felony or a crime involving fraud, dishonesty, or deceit;
- Failure to discharge the duties of a notary imposed by statute or administrative regulation;
- Use of false or misleading advertising;
- Representing that the notary has a right, duty or privilege that the notary does not have;
- Denial, refusal to renew, revocation, or suspension of a notary commission in another state; or
- Failure to maintain notary surety.
To apply for a Kentucky Notary Public State at Large appointment or reappointment,
download the form
and submit it online, or mail it with a $10.00 fee made payable to Kentucky State Treasurer to:
Notary Commissions
P.O. Box 821
Frankfort, KY 40602-0821
Once the application has been approved by the Office of the Secretary of State,
a written notice will be sent to you stating that you must complete your appointment within 30 days
of receipt of that notice by taking the oath of office and providing surety at the county clerk's office indicated.
Please contact your county clerk with any questions regarding the bonding and oath process.
Additional Information
For more information about notaries, please contact the Notaries Branch of the Office of the Secretary of State:
- phone: (502) 564-3490
- fax: (502) 564-5687
-
email
- mail to: Office of the Secretary of State
Notary Branch
P.O. Box 821
700 Capital Ave., Ste. 158
Frankfort, KY 40601
The Office of the Secretary of State is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST.
Return to Notary Commissions Index page