Kentucky Notary Bond— $1,000 — From ~$15 for 4 Years
At just $1,000, Kentucky has the lowest notary bond requirement in the country — about 50x less than Alabama's $50,000. No exam, no education course, no credit check required for most applicants, and your commission covers all 120 counties as “Notary Public — State at Large.” Per KRS §423.390. File within 30 days at your county clerk. See our notary bond cost guide to compare all states, or learn how to get a surety bond.
Lowest-price guarantee: if you find a lower premium on the same $1,000 Kentucky notary bond from a Treasury-listed carrier, we will match it or refund the difference.
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How Much Does a Kentucky Notary Bond Cost?
The $1,000 Kentucky notary bond typically costs $15–$40 for the full 4-year commission term. No credit check required for most applicants — premium is based on the bond amount, not your credit score, and most notary bonds are flat-rate. This covers your entire commission period with no annual renewals. For a detailed breakdown, see our surety bond cost guide or use the notary bond calculator. Learn the difference between a bond and insurance.
County Clerk Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| SOS application fee | $10 |
| County clerk recording fee | $10 |
| Bond preparation fee | $4 |
| Oath administration | $5 |
| $1,000 bond premium | ~$15-40 |
| Total | ~$44-69 |
County clerk fees from Boone, Scott, and other .ky.gov county clerk sites. Fees may vary slightly. Use our notary bond calculator for premium estimates.
2020 Law Change: No More Personal Sureties
Effective January 1, 2020, Senate Bill 114 eliminated personal property sureties. All Kentucky notary bonds must now come from an approved insurance company. Previously, a property owner could act as your surety — that's no longer allowed. The same law adopted RULONA and authorized RON. For more context, read what a surety bond is.
RON in Kentucky
Authorized since January 1, 2020 under KRS Chapter 423. Same $1,000 bond — no separate RON bond. Must register with SOS, identify RON platform, use 2+ identity proofing methods, maintain electronic journal, retain A/V recordings 10+ years.
Source: KRS §423.455; 30 KAR 8:005
Official Kentucky Requirements
"An applicant for a commission as a notary public shall submit a surety bond in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000) executed by a surety approved by the Secretary of State."Kentucky Secretary of State • KRS §423.390
Eligibility (KRS §423.390)
- Age 18+
- U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
- Kentucky resident OR place of employment/practice in KY
- Able to read and write English
- No unpardoned felony convictions
- No disqualifying fraud/dishonesty findings (KRS §423.395)
- No exam or education required
Non-residents who work in a KY county qualify — apply in the county of your workplace. Explore our bond cost guide, requirements by state, surety bond requirements, or use the notary bond calculator.
Filing Process — 30 Days
Apply Online
Apply at sos.ky.gov notary portal. Pay $10 to Kentucky State Treasurer.
Get Your $1,000 Bond
Instant approval at BuySuretyBonds.com. Must be from an approved insurance company (since 2020).
File at County Clerk (30 days)
Appear in person. File bond, take oath, pay $19 ($10 recording + $4 bond prep + $5 oath).
Begin Notarizing Statewide
Your "State at Large" commission covers all 120 KY counties. Max $5/act. SOS does NOT send renewal reminders.
How Kentucky Compares to Other States
Kentucky's $1,000 bond is dramatically lower than surrounding states. For context on how surety bonds work and why amounts vary, see our guide. Compare bond vs. insurance for notaries, or read surety bond basics.
Bond Amount Comparison — Kentucky vs. Neighbors
| State | Bond Amount | Commission Term | Exam Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $1,000 (lowest) | 4 years | No |
| Indiana | $25,000 | 8 years | Yes (80%) |
| Ohio | $0 (standard) / $25K (e-estate) | 5 years | Yes (80%) |
| Tennessee | $10,000 | 4 years | No |
| Illinois | $5,000 - $30,000 | 4 years | Yes (85%) |
| Missouri | $10,000 | 4 years | Yes (80%) |
| Alabama | $50,000 (highest) | 4 years | No (training only) |
Sources: Individual state statutes. See each state's page for full details and .gov citations.
View neighboring state pages: Tennessee ($10K), Ohio notary bond, Indiana ($25K), Missouri ($10K), Alabama ($50K), Illinois notary bond.
The Easiest, Cheapest Notary Bond in America
$1,000 Kentucky bond, no exam, no course, instant approval from ~$15.
Get Your Bond NowKentucky Notary Bond — FAQs
Is $1,000 really the Kentucky notary bond amount?
Yes — Kentucky has the lowest notary bond requirement in the United States at $1,000, per KRS §423.390. Most states require $5,000-$25,000. The low amount reflects Kentucky's view of the notary role as a limited public function, not the quasi-legal authority seen in states like Louisiana ($50,000).
What does "State at Large" mean?
All Kentucky notaries are commissioned as "Notary Public — State at Large" with statewide authority. Unlike some states where notaries are limited to their home county, you can notarize in any of Kentucky's 120 counties. Your seal must include "State at Large" along with your name, "Notary Public," "Kentucky," commission ID, and expiration date.
What is the 30-day filing deadline at the county clerk?
After receiving your Certificate of Appointment from the SOS, you have 30 days to appear at your county clerk's office to file your bond and take the oath. The county clerk charges $19 ($10 recording + $4 bond preparation + $5 oath). Missing this deadline may void your commission.
What changed in 2020 with Kentucky notary bonds?
Effective January 1, 2020 (Senate Bill 114, signed March 25, 2019), Kentucky eliminated personal property sureties — you can no longer have a property owner guarantee your bond. All bonds must now come from an approved insurance company. This same law adopted RULONA and authorized Remote Online Notarization.
Does Kentucky require an exam or education?
No. Kentucky has no mandatory education course and no examination for notary applicants. This makes it one of the easiest states to become a notary. You simply apply online at sos.ky.gov, pay $10, get your bond, and file at the county clerk within 30 days.
What is the maximum notary fee in Kentucky?
KRS §423.455 limits notary fees to $5 per notarial act. Multiple signatures on one document may count as multiple acts. Travel fees must be agreed upon in advance. You must disclose fees upfront per KRS §423.415(3). RON acts may follow the same fee structure — verify against current KRS Chapter 423.
Notary Bond vs. E&O Insurance
Your surety bond protects the public — if you make an error, the surety pays the claim, then seeks full reimbursement from you personally. Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance protects you — it covers your legal defense and settlement costs. Most Kentucky notaries carry both. Learn more in our bond vs. insurance comparison, or explore all the surety bond products we offer.
More Surety Bond Resources
Official Kentucky Sources
KRS §423.390 (Bond)
$1,000 bond, commission term, eligibility
KY SOS Notary Application (PDF)
Official application form
KRS §423.455 (RON + Fees)
Remote notarization, fee schedule
KRS Chapter 423 Index
Full notary statute chapter
KY SOS Notary Search
Look up active notaries
30 KAR 8:005 (RON Rules)
RON administrative regulations
Other Kentucky Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Kentucky
America's Most Affordable Notary Bond
$1,000 Kentucky bond • No exam • 120-county “State at Large” authority