Notary Information

NOTARY PUBLIC APPOINTMENT (KRS 423.010)

Notary public commissions are valid for four (4) years. The following requirements must be met:

1. Applicant must be eighteen (18) years old or older.
2. Resident of county or county of primary employment (includes persons that live in another state, but are employed in a Kentucky county)
3. Good moral character
4. Capable of discharging duties imposed by law
5. Cannot be a convicted felon
6. Application for Appointment to the Office of Notary Public Form must be completed by applicant.
   • Application must be signed by the Judge Executive, County Clerk or Circuit Clerk, Justice of the Peace, or a member of the General Assembly of the county of the residence of the applicants.
   • The signed application(Link to Form)must be mailed to the Secretary of State in Frankfort, Kentucky. A $10.00 state fee must accompany the application.
7. If approved, the applicant will be notified that a “Certificate of Appointment” has been sent to the county clerk’s office.
8. The applicant must come to the county clerk’s office to take the oath of office within 30 days.
9. A bond is required. The amount of the bond may vary from county to county based on the discretion of the County Judge Executive. (Lawrence County is $500.00). The bond may be an insurance policy bond or a property owner can be the surety. The property owner must come into the county clerk’s office and sign for the applicant. An insurance company may provide a copy of their bond but it must be notarized and include the wording of the attached example in the notary. (A husband and wife cannot sign a surety bond for each other if the property is jointly owned. In effect the customer would be signing for himself or herself.)
10. The county clerk recording fee is $19.00.

Effective 7/12/06 Fees effective 8/1/06