Kansas Notary Bond— $12,000 — Increased from $7,500 in 2022
Senate Bill 106 adopted RULONA in Kansas effective January 1, 2022, increasing the notary bond from $7,500 to $12,000 per KSA 53-5a22. The NNA and several competitor sites still show the old $7,500 amount. The reform also introduced mandatory journals, centralized SOS filing, and permanent Remote Online Notarization authorization. No exam is required for traditional notarization; an exam is only needed for electronic and RON. Learn what a surety bond is or read how to get one.
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Increased from $7.5K in 2022
Kansas Notary Bond Increase — SB 106 RULONA
Bond Requirement Increase
Previous Requirement
$7,500
New Requirement
$12,000
Applications filed on or before December 31, 2021 retain their $7,500 bond for the remainder of that commission term. All new applications and renewals from January 1, 2022 onward require the $12,000 bond. If you see $7,500 on another site, it is outdated.
Official Kansas Requirements
"An applicant for appointment as a notary public shall obtain a surety bond in the amount of $12,000."Kansas Secretary of State • KSA 53-5a22
What SB 106 Changed — RULONA in Kansas
Kansas adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) via Senate Bill 106, effective January 1, 2022. This was the most significant overhaul of Kansas notary law in decades. No competitor site we reviewed explains all six major changes. For general bond context, see our surety bond cost guide.
Bond: $7,500 to $12,000
The surety bond requirement increased 60%. Filed with the SOS online portal (no longer county recorder). Bond dates must match SOS-set commission dates. Source: KSA 53-5a22.
Mandatory Journal (NEW)
Required since January 2022. Tangible (bound, sequentially numbered) or electronic (tamper-evident). 10-year retention after last act. Entries must include: date/time, act type, document description, signer name/address, ID method, fee charged. Source: KSA 53-5a20.
Centralized SOS Filing
Bond is now submitted WITH the application via the SOS online portal. Under the old law, bonds were filed separately at your county recorder's office. The new system is faster and eliminates county-level inconsistencies.
RON Authorized (Permanent)
Remote Online Notarization became permanent law on January 1, 2022. Must be an active tangible notary first, then register for RON ($20 fee). Free SOS exam required for RON only. Source: KSA 53-5a15.
No Exam for Traditional
Traditional (tangible, in-person paper) notarization requires no exam whatsoever. Only In-Person Electronic Notarization (IPEN) and RON require the free SOS online exam. This is frequently confused by competitors.
Disqualification Expanded
KSA 53-5a24 now includes diversion agreements, professional license revocations for fraud/dishonesty, and a 4-year reapplication bar after commission revocation.
What You Actually Pay: ~$55–$80
No competitor we found breaks down the complete all-in cost. Here's what a Kansas notary commission really costs over a 4-year term. Use our notary bond calculator for a personalized estimate based on your credit profile. Kansas professionals can explore all bond types at our surety bond headquarters.
Bond premium depends on your credit profile. Most applicants with decent credit pay $30–$55 for the full 4-year term. See our surety bond cost guide for how premiums are calculated, or compare with Missouri's $10,000 bond, Nebraska's $15,000 bond, and Oklahoma's $10,000 bond.
Get Your $12,000 Kansas Notary Bond
Updated for RULONA. No exam for traditional. Instant approval, no credit check required.
Get Your Bond NowHow to Apply for a Kansas Notary Commission (Step-by-Step)
Kansas processes all notary applications through the Secretary of State eforms portal. Since RULONA, applications are no longer filed with county recorders. Here's the exact process.
Purchase your $12,000 surety bond
Get your bond from a licensed surety company (like us). The bond is submitted as Section C of form NO (new) or form NO-S (renewal). When you purchase through BuySuretyBonds.com, we provide the completed bond form ready for filing.
Complete the notary application online
Go to sos.ks.gov/eforms and complete the online application. You will need: your legal name, Kansas address (or bordering-state address if you regularly work in KS), date of birth, and employer information if applicable.
Submit bond form + $25 application fee
Upload the completed bond form (Section C of form NO or NO-S) with your application. Pay the $25 filing fee online. The bond effective date must match the commission dates set by the Secretary of State.
Take the oath of office
After your commission is approved, you must take an oath of office before a qualified officer (typically a clerk of district court). This is a separate step from submitting the application — do not skip it.
Purchase your notary stamp
Obtain a notary stamp from a vendor of your choice. The stamp must include: "Notary Public," "State of Kansas," your exact commissioned name, and commission expiration date. Kansas accepts both ink stamps and embossers.
Purchase your mandatory journal
Since January 2022, all Kansas notaries must maintain a journal. Choose a tangible bound journal (sequentially numbered pages) or an electronic journal (must be tamper-evident and SOS-compliant). Begin recording every notarial act from your first day.
Renewal Process
Renewals follow the same steps: new $12,000 bond (form NO-S), new $25 fee, new oath, and a new stamp. Your old stamp and bond expire with your old commission. Plan ahead — there is no grace period. The SOS sends renewal reminders via email if you filed online. See our notary bond requirements guide or contact the SOS at notary@ks.gov.
Eligibility, Stamp Specifications & Notarial Acts
Who Can Apply (KSA 53-5a04)
- Age 18 or older
- U.S. citizen
- Kansas resident OR bordering-state resident who regularly works in KS
- Able to read and write English
- Not disqualified under KSA 53-5a24
- No exam required for traditional notarization
Bordering States
Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Colorado residents who regularly conduct business in Kansas may qualify. You must maintain a Kansas business address or demonstrate regular Kansas employment.
Stamp & Seal Specifications
- • “Notary Public”
- • “State of Kansas”
- • Your exact commissioned name
- • Commission expiration date
- • “My appt. expires ___”
Stamp must be photographically reproducible — if using an embosser alone, the impression may not be visible on photocopied or scanned documents.
Notarial Acts & Fees
Max fee guidance: varies by act type
Kansas does not set a statutory max fee for all acts. Check local guidelines.
- • Acknowledgments
- • Oaths and affirmations
- • Verification on oath or affirmation (jurats)
- • Witnessing or attesting a signature
- • Copy certification
- • Certification of occurrence of event
Personal knowledge, valid government-issued photo ID, or a credible witness. For RON: knowledge-based authentication (KBA) and credential analysis are required.
Learn more about what a notary bond is, general notary requirements, or browse all surety bonds. Kansas vehicle dealers are required to carry a Kansas auto dealer bond, and contractors licensed to work in Kansas need a Kansas contractor license bond.
Disqualification Grounds (KSA 53-5a24)
RULONA significantly expanded the grounds for denial or revocation of a Kansas notary commission. The following can result in denial of a new application OR revocation of an existing commission:
- •Felony conviction: Any felony, regardless of whether it involved notarial duties.
- •Crime involving fraud, dishonesty, or deceit: Includes misdemeanors. The nature of the offense matters more than the classification.
- •Diversion agreements: Unique to RULONA — accepting a diversion agreement in lieu of prosecution for fraud/dishonesty counts as grounds for denial.
- •Fraudulent application statements: Making any dishonest statement on your notary application.
- •Professional license revocation: Having any professional license (attorney, CPA, real estate, etc.) revoked for fraud or dishonesty.
- •Lack of honesty, integrity, competence, or reliability: Broad catch-all provision. Any act demonstrating unfitness to serve as a notary.
4-year reapplication bar: After a commission is revoked, the former notary cannot reapply for 4 years from the date of revocation. This bar also applies if the SOS finds grounds that would have justified denial at the time of the original application.
Source: KSA 53-5a24. See our guide on surety bond claims to understand what happens when a claim is filed against your bond.
Mandatory Notary Journal — New Under RULONA
Before January 1, 2022, Kansas did not require notary journals. Under RULONA, journals are now mandatory for every notarial act. Zero competitors we reviewed cover the journal requirements in detail.
Tangible Journal
- Bound book with permanent pages
- Pages must be sequentially numbered
- Only ONE tangible journal active at a time
- 10-year retention after last entry
- Must be kept under exclusive control of the notary
Electronic Journal
- Must be tamper-evident format
- Must comply with SOS technical standards
- Multiple electronic journals permitted
- 10-year retention after last entry
- Backup/export capability recommended
Required Journal Entries (KSA 53-5a20)
Source: KSA 53-5a20.
Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Kansas
Kansas authorized RON permanently on January 1, 2022 as part of RULONA. No competitor we reviewed lists the approved technology providers. Here's everything you need to know.
RON Requirements
- Must hold an active traditional (tangible) notary commission first
- Complete free SOS online training and pass exam
- Select an SOS-approved RON technology provider
- Submit RON notification to SOS with $20 fee
- Same $12,000 bond covers RON — no additional bond required
- Two-way audio-video communication required for every session
- Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) + credential analysis for signer ID
- Mandatory journal entry for every RON act
SOS-Approved RON Technology Providers
You must use one of the following Secretary of State-approved platforms. This is the only complete list we have found published outside the SOS website.
This list is current as of April 2026. The SOS may add or remove providers. Verify at sos.ks.gov.
Compare RON rules: Texas RON | Florida RON | Nevada RON | North Dakota RON. See all notary bond states.
Bond Form NO / NO-S: Section C Explained
Kansas uses form NO for new notary applications and form NO-S for renewals (short form). The surety bond is Section C of either form. Unlike states that accept a generic surety bond form, Kansas requires the bond to be part of the official application packet. When you purchase your bond through BuySuretyBonds.com, we generate the completed Section C so you don't have to fill it out yourself.
What Section C contains:
- • Principal (you) and surety company names
- • Bond amount ($12,000)
- • Obligee (State of Kansas)
- • Commission effective and expiration dates
- • Surety company seal and authorized signature
- • Power of attorney from the surety
Filing instructions:
- • Submit online via sos.ks.gov/eforms
- • Or mail to: Kansas SOS, Memorial Hall, 1st Floor, 120 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66612
- • Include $25 application fee
- • Bond dates must match SOS-set commission dates
- • Contact: notary@ks.gov or 785-296-4564
Not sure which type of surety bond you need? See our complete guide to surety bond types.
Prohibited Acts & When Bond Claims Happen
Your $12,000 surety bond protects the public — not you. If you commit a prohibited act and someone suffers a loss, they can file a bond claim against your bond. The surety pays the claim (up to $12,000), then you repay the surety in full.
Prohibited Acts
- • Notarizing your own signature
- • Notarizing when you have a direct financial interest
- • Notarizing when you are a party to the document
- • Performing notarial acts outside your commission period
- • Using a name different from your commissioned name
- • Failing to identify the signer properly
- • Failing to record the act in your journal
- • Refusing to produce your journal when ordered by court
Change-of-Name & Address Rules
- • Name change: Notify SOS within 30 days, obtain new stamp
- • Address change: Notify SOS within 30 days via eforms portal
- • A name change requires a new stamp with the updated name
- • Your bond remains valid after a name change — no new bond needed
- • Failure to report changes can result in commission issues
Contact: notary@ks.gov | 785-296-4564
Notary Bond vs. E&O Insurance
Your surety bond protects the public — if you make an error, the surety pays the claim, then seeks reimbursement from you personally. Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance protects you. Most Kansas notaries carry both. See our bond vs. insurance comparison.
Explore our Learning Center, review the surety bond glossary, or read the surety bond requirements guide. Check bond vs. insurance or compare a bond vs. cash deposit. Estimate your premium with the notary bond calculator.
Kansas Notary Bond — Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Kansas notary bond increase from $7,500 to $12,000?
Senate Bill 106 adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) in Kansas, effective January 1, 2022. The bond increase from $7,500 to $12,000 was part of a comprehensive modernization that also introduced mandatory journals, RON authorization, and centralized filing with the Secretary of State (instead of county recorders). The new bond amount is codified in KSA 53-5a22(2).
Is a Kansas notary exam required?
For traditional (tangible, in-person) notarization: NO exam is required. For In-Person Electronic Notarization (IPEN) or Remote Online Notarization (RON): YES, a free online exam administered by the Kansas Secretary of State is required. RON applicants also need a course completion certificate from their approved technology provider. This distinction is important and most competitor sites miss it entirely.
Are mandatory journals new in Kansas?
Yes. Notary journals became mandatory on January 1, 2022 under SB 106. Before RULONA, Kansas did not require journals. The journal must be tangible (bound, permanent, sequentially numbered pages) or electronic (tamper-evident, SOS-compliant format). Only one tangible journal can be active at a time, but multiple electronic journals are permitted. You must retain your journal for 10 years after the last notarial act recorded in it. Required entries include: date and time, type of notarial act, document description, signer name and address, ID verification method used, and fee charged. Source: KSA 53-5a20.
Can I still use my $7,500 Kansas notary bond?
Only if your commission was originally filed on or before December 31, 2021. That $7,500 bond remains valid for the remainder of your existing commission term. However, all renewals and new applications submitted from January 1, 2022 onward require the $12,000 bond. Be aware that the NNA and some other sites still display $7,500 in certain listings — this is outdated and incorrect for new or renewing applicants.
What are the disqualification grounds for Kansas notaries?
Under KSA 53-5a24, the Secretary of State may deny or revoke a notary commission for: felony conviction, any crime involving fraud/dishonesty/deceit (including diversion agreements accepted in lieu of prosecution), making fraudulent or dishonest statements on a notary application, having a professional license revoked for reasons involving fraud or dishonesty, or any other act demonstrating a lack of honesty, integrity, competence, or reliability to serve as a notary. After revocation, a 4-year reapplication bar applies.
How does Kansas Remote Online Notarization (RON) work?
You must first hold an active traditional (tangible) notary commission. Then select an approved RON technology provider from the SOS-approved list (currently: Notarize Genie, Proof, NotaryCam, OneSpan, Pactima, and Secured Signing). Complete the free SOS online training and pass the exam. Submit your RON notification to the SOS with the $20 registration fee. Your existing $12,000 bond covers RON acts — no additional bond is required. RON was authorized permanently in Kansas on January 1, 2022 under KSA 53-5a15.
Official Kansas Sources
KSA 53-5a22 (Bond)
$12,000 bond requirement statute
KS SOS — Notary
Applications, RON, forms, vendor list
SB 106 Enrolled Text
Full RULONA adoption bill text
KSA 53-5a24 (Disqualification)
Denial and revocation grounds
KSA 53-5a20 (Journal)
Mandatory journal requirement details
Notary Handbook (PDF)
Complete SOS notary guide and reference
KS SOS Contact: Memorial Hall, 1st Floor, 120 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66612 • Email: notary@ks.gov • Phone: 785-296-4564
Related Guides & Resources
Other Kansas Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Kansas
RULONA-Compliant Kansas Notary Bond
$12,000 bond • SB 106 updated • No exam (traditional) • Instant approval • Treasury-certified carriers