Who can become a notary? 

• Must be eighteen (18) years old or older;
• Must be of good moral character;
• Must be capable of discharging duties imposed by law;
• Must NOT be a convicted felon.

How can I become a notary?

1. An Application for Appointment for Notary State at Large must be completed and signed by the applicant.
2. The application must also be signed by a Circuit Judge, Circuit Clerk, County Judge/Executive, County Clerk, Magistrate, or Member of the General Assembly of the county where the applicant applies.
3. The applicant must apply in either the county of residence or the county of primary employment. (This includes people who live in another state but work in a Kentucky county).
4. The application should be mailed to Notary Commissions, PO Box 821, Frankfort, KY 40602-0821. Include a check or money order for $10.00 made payable to Kentucky State Treasurer.

Once approved, the applicant will be notified by mail that a "Certificate of Appointment" has been mailed to the Madison County Clerk's Office Office. The notice will indicate a thirty (30) day time period for the applicant to go to the Madison County Clerk's Office Richmond Branch and complete the process.

There is a $19.00 recording fee ($10.00 for recording the bond, $4.00 for taking/preparing the bond, and $5.00 for administering the oath).

A surety bond in the amount of $1,000.00 is required. Bond may be posted one of two ways:

• A Madison County property owner may sign as surety. (Anyone who owns property in Madison County to which the notary is NOT on the deed.) * If a property owner will be signing as surety, but is unable to come into the office with the notary, he or she may complete the Notary Public Bond form. This form must be signed by the property owner and notarized. This form can only be used by a property owner and cannot be used by an insurance company.
• An insurance company may sign as surety. (Check with the insurance agency of your choice to request notary bond information.)