Kentucky (KY)
No Public Database
Research Kentucky notary commissions. Kentucky does not maintain a publicly accessible notary database.
Visit Kentucky Official Notary Database
How to Research a Kentucky Notary
Kentucky does not currently provide a public online notary search database.
To verify a Kentucky notary commission:
1. Contact the Kentucky Secretary of State directly at (502) 564-3490.
2. Submit an inquiry via the Notary Contact Form at
https://www.sos.ky.gov/bus/Pages/Notary-Contact-Form.aspx
3. Provide the notary's full name and, if available, commission number.
4. The SOS can confirm whether the person holds an active commission,
the commission number, and expiration date.
5. Alternatively, contact the county clerk in the notary's county of
residence — Kentucky notaries file their oath with the county clerk.
To verify a Kentucky notary commission:
1. Contact the Kentucky Secretary of State directly at (502) 564-3490.
2. Submit an inquiry via the Notary Contact Form at
https://www.sos.ky.gov/bus/Pages/Notary-Contact-Form.aspx
3. Provide the notary's full name and, if available, commission number.
4. The SOS can confirm whether the person holds an active commission,
the commission number, and expiration date.
5. Alternatively, contact the county clerk in the notary's county of
residence — Kentucky notaries file their oath with the county clerk.
How to Verify a Kentucky Notary's Signature
Kentucky notaries file their oath of office with the county clerk in
the county where they reside (KRS 423.010).
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the county clerk's office in the county where the notary
filed their oath — the clerk maintains the notary's signature record.
2. If the county is unknown, contact the Kentucky Secretary of State
at (502) 564-3490 to identify the notary's filing county.
3. Kentucky notaries are commissioned statewide ('State at Large'),
so any KY notary may notarize documents anywhere in the state.
Contact: Kentucky Secretary of State — (502) 564-3490
the county where they reside (KRS 423.010).
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the county clerk's office in the county where the notary
filed their oath — the clerk maintains the notary's signature record.
2. If the county is unknown, contact the Kentucky Secretary of State
at (502) 564-3490 to identify the notary's filing county.
3. Kentucky notaries are commissioned statewide ('State at Large'),
so any KY notary may notarize documents anywhere in the state.
Contact: Kentucky Secretary of State — (502) 564-3490
Verifying Older Kentucky Documents
For older documents notarized by a Kentucky notary whose commission
may have expired:
1. Contact the Kentucky Secretary of State at (502) 564-3490 and
request historical commission records.
2. Provide the notary's name and the approximate date of notarization.
3. Contact the county clerk in the county where the notary filed
their oath — county clerks may retain historical records.
4. Kentucky notary commissions last 4 years (KRS 423.010).
Address: Kentucky Secretary of State, 700 Capital Ave., Suite 152,
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-3490
may have expired:
1. Contact the Kentucky Secretary of State at (502) 564-3490 and
request historical commission records.
2. Provide the notary's name and the approximate date of notarization.
3. Contact the county clerk in the county where the notary filed
their oath — county clerks may retain historical records.
4. Kentucky notary commissions last 4 years (KRS 423.010).
Address: Kentucky Secretary of State, 700 Capital Ave., Suite 152,
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-3490
Kentucky Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Kentucky does not require a notary to use an official stamp or seal when performing notarial acts (KRS 423.385). However, if a stamp or seal is used, it must comply with 30 KAR 8:005.
Stamp requirements (30 KAR 8:005):
- Shape: Rectangular or circular
- Must include: Notary's name exactly as it appears on the commission, "Notary Public", "Commonwealth of Kentucky", commission number, and commission expiration date
- Either a rubber stamp (ink stamp) or embosser is permitted
- The stamp must be clear, legible, and photographically reproducible
- Online notaries may substitute "Online Notary Public" for "Notary Public" when notarizing for remotely located individuals
- Kentucky notaries are commissioned statewide as 'State at Large' notaries — there is no county restriction on where they may notarize
Stamp requirements (30 KAR 8:005):
- Shape: Rectangular or circular
- Must include: Notary's name exactly as it appears on the commission, "Notary Public", "Commonwealth of Kentucky", commission number, and commission expiration date
- Either a rubber stamp (ink stamp) or embosser is permitted
- The stamp must be clear, legible, and photographically reproducible
- Online notaries may substitute "Online Notary Public" for "Notary Public" when notarizing for remotely located individuals
- Kentucky notaries are commissioned statewide as 'State at Large' notaries — there is no county restriction on where they may notarize
Contacting a Kentucky Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
Kentucky — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Kentucky does not require traditional notaries public to maintain a journal for paper notarial acts, but electronic and online notaries must maintain one or more electronic journals for all electronic notarizations.
Journal requirement:
- A journal is not legally mandated for traditional paper notarizations but is highly recommended as a best practice for the notary's protection (KRS 423.380).
- Electronic and online notaries must maintain one or more electronic journals for all electronic notarizations (KRS 423.380; 30 KAR 8:005).
Electronic journal requirements:
- A journal entry must be made contemporaneously with the performance of the notarial act and must contain: a statement of how identification was established and a description of any identification credential presented, including the type of credential and dates of issuance and expiration of the credential (30 KAR 8:005).
- For notarial acts involving remotely located individuals using communication technology, an audio-visual recording (or a link thereto) of the performance of the notarial act is required.
- A journal must be created and stored in a computer or other electronic storage device or process that protects the electronic journal and any audio-visual recording against unauthorized access by password or cryptographic process.
Retention period:
- An online notary public must retain the journal for ten (10) years after the performance of the last electronic notarization chronicled in the journal (KRS 423.380).
- For every Remote Online Notarization (RON), an audio-visual recording of the session must be created and retained for at least ten (10) years after the last electronic notarization chronicled in the journal.
Inspection and access:
- Kentucky law does not establish a public right to inspect notary journals or request copies.
- If records are needed and the notary is unwilling to provide them voluntarily, a subpoena or court order may be necessary to compel production.
Key considerations:
- Kentucky notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State.
- The statute does not specify disposition requirements upon commission expiry or death for traditional notaries.
- Contact: KY Secretary of State Notary Branch — (502) 564-3490 or sosnotary@ky.gov
Relevant statutes: KRS 423.380; 30 KAR 8:005
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
Kentucky does not require traditional notaries public to maintain a journal for paper notarial acts, but electronic and online notaries must maintain one or more electronic journals for all electronic notarizations.
Journal requirement:
- A journal is not legally mandated for traditional paper notarizations but is highly recommended as a best practice for the notary's protection (KRS 423.380).
- Electronic and online notaries must maintain one or more electronic journals for all electronic notarizations (KRS 423.380; 30 KAR 8:005).
Electronic journal requirements:
- A journal entry must be made contemporaneously with the performance of the notarial act and must contain: a statement of how identification was established and a description of any identification credential presented, including the type of credential and dates of issuance and expiration of the credential (30 KAR 8:005).
- For notarial acts involving remotely located individuals using communication technology, an audio-visual recording (or a link thereto) of the performance of the notarial act is required.
- A journal must be created and stored in a computer or other electronic storage device or process that protects the electronic journal and any audio-visual recording against unauthorized access by password or cryptographic process.
Retention period:
- An online notary public must retain the journal for ten (10) years after the performance of the last electronic notarization chronicled in the journal (KRS 423.380).
- For every Remote Online Notarization (RON), an audio-visual recording of the session must be created and retained for at least ten (10) years after the last electronic notarization chronicled in the journal.
Inspection and access:
- Kentucky law does not establish a public right to inspect notary journals or request copies.
- If records are needed and the notary is unwilling to provide them voluntarily, a subpoena or court order may be necessary to compel production.
Key considerations:
- Kentucky notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State.
- The statute does not specify disposition requirements upon commission expiry or death for traditional notaries.
- Contact: KY Secretary of State Notary Branch — (502) 564-3490 or sosnotary@ky.gov
Relevant statutes: KRS 423.380; 30 KAR 8:005
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.