Kentucky Notary Bond— $1,000 — Typically ~$15–$40 for 4 Years
The Kentucky notary bond is a $1,000 surety bond required by KRS 423.390, one of the lowest notary bond requirements in the country — far below Alabama's $50,000. No exam, no education course, many notary bonds don’t require a credit check, 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.
No payment until your bond is issued · No obligation. Kentucky notary bonds quoted instantly online — many notary bonds don’t require a credit check.
- Who requires it: Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS §423.390(5)).
- Amount: $1,000 for a 4-year commission term.
- Typical cost (estimate): about $15–$40 for the full 4-year commission term. The surety sets the final price.
- Timing: Same-day submission; most quotes within one business day.
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. Many notary bonds don’t require a credit check — 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, the new notary law (2019 Ky. Acts ch. 86) eliminated personal property sureties. Kentucky notary bonds must now be issued by a surety or other entity licensed or authorized to do business in Kentucky (KRS 423.390(5)). 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
"The assurance required by this section shall be in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000) and shall be issued by a surety or other entity licensed or authorized to do business in this state."Kentucky Revised Statutes • KRS §423.390(5)
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 quote at BuySuretyBonds.com. Must be issued by a surety licensed or authorized in Kentucky (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. Fees must follow KRS 423.430 and be disclosed in advance. Track your expiration date and renew before it lapses.
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 | 4 years | No |
| Indiana | $25,000 | 8 years | Yes |
| Ohio | $0 (standard) / $25K (e-estate) | 5 years | Yes (non-attorneys) |
| Tennessee | $10,000 | 4 years | No |
| Illinois | $5,000 - $30,000 | 4 years | Check with SOS |
| Missouri | $10,000 | 4 years | Check with SOS |
| Alabama | $50,000 (highest) | 4 years | Check with SOS |
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.
One of the Lowest Notary Bond Amounts in the U.S.
$1,000 Kentucky bond, no exam, no course, instant quote; premiums typically about $15–$40.
Get Your Bond NowWatch: Kentucky Notary Bond — $1,000
Kentucky has the lowest notary bond in the nation — just $1,000 — and a 'State at Large' commission covering all 120 counties. No exam required. Here's the simple 4-step process and what you'll pay.
Key moments in this video
Kentucky Notary Bond — FAQs
Is $1,000 really the Kentucky notary bond amount?
Yes. KRS §423.390(5) sets the Kentucky notary assurance (bond) at $1,000, one of the lowest amounts in the country (Wisconsin requires $500). Most bond states require $5,000-$25,000.
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 (2019 Ky. Acts ch. 86), Kentucky eliminated personal property sureties — you can no longer have a property owner guarantee your bond. The bond must be issued by a surety or other entity licensed or authorized to do business in Kentucky (KRS §423.390(5)). 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?
Under KRS §423.430, a notary may charge a fee that complies with KRS 64.300 and is clearly disclosed to the person in advance. Fees for services that are not notarial acts are not governed by that section. Check KRS 64.300 or the Secretary of State for the current maximum.
Who needs a Kentucky notary bond?
Anyone applying to be a Kentucky notary public. KRS §423.390(5) requires a $1,000 notary assurance (bond) from a surety or other entity licensed or authorized to do business in Kentucky.
How do I get a Kentucky notary bond?
Apply online at sos.ky.gov and pay $10, get your bond, then file it at your county clerk's office within 30 days of receiving your Certificate of Appointment from the SOS. No exam or education course is required.
What happens after I apply?
A licensed agent submits your application the same day it arrives; most quotes come back within one business day. After you receive your Certificate of Appointment from the SOS, you have 30 days to file your bond and take the oath at your county clerk's office.
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
Estimate Your Kentucky Notary Bond Premium
Free calculator — ballpark cost in under 60 seconds, no email required.
Other Kentucky Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in Kentucky
Nearby States
Notary bonds in neighboring states
Illinois requirements, statute, and bond amount
Indiana requirements, statute, and bond amount
Missouri requirements, statute, and bond amount
Ohio requirements, statute, and bond amount
Tennessee requirements, statute, and bond amount
All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov). BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-listed surety carriers.
An Affordable Kentucky Notary Bond
$1,000 Kentucky bond • No exam • 120-county “State at Large” authority