NOTARY PUBLIC APPOINTMENT (KRS 423.010)
Notary Public commissions are valid for four (4) years. The following requirements must be met:
- Applicant must be eighteen (18) years old or older.
- Resident of county or county of primary employment (includes persons that live in another state, but
are employed in a Kentucky county)
- Capable of discharging duties imposed by law.
- Cannot be a convicted felon.
- Application for Appointment to the Office of Notary Public Form must be completed by applicant.
a. 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 applicant.
b. The signed application must be mailed to the Secretary of State in Frankfort, Kentucky. A $10.00
state fee must accompany the application.
- If approved, the applicant will be notified that a “Certificate of Appointment” has been sent to the
- The applicant must come to the county clerk's office to take the oath of office within 30 days.
- A bond is required. The amount of the bond may vary from county to county based on the discretion
of the County Judge Executive. 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.
Or they may provide a proven notarized statement from the person providing the security. An
insurance company may provide a copy of their bond but it must be notarized. (A husband and wife
cannot sign a surety bond for each other if the property is jointly owned).
- The county clerk recording fee is $19.00. $10.00 recording the bond, $4.00 taking/preparing the