How to Become a Notary Public in Kansas

Get your application notarized then submit your form and the $25 fee to the Secretary of State. The cost of your bond, seal and optional journal will vary based on the vendor you choose.

The cost of commissioning can differ depending on whether you are a new or renewing Notary. Supply package prices vary among vendors. New Notaries may need more how-to assistance than experienced Notaries. Books, training and live expert assistance are often must-haves for most new Notaries.

Some vendors may package items with additional fees — processing fees for example. Training can be included in package prices for new Notaries, although the quality of education can vary. Some providers offer their own Notary courses while others do not have the on-staff expertise to develop and support educational content. Several vendors offer Notaries live question and answer support, and others are not able to offer such assistance.

It can take two to four weeks to become commissioned as a Kansas Notary Public. This depends on your availability and the time the Secretary of State needs to process your application and deliver your certificate, wallet card and handbook to your home address.

The term of a Kansas Notary Public commission is four years.

There are basic qualifications for a person to become a Notary in Kansas. All applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a resident of Kansas or a bordering state who is regularly employed or conducts business in Kansas
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Have had no felony convictions nor a professional license revoked

No training or exam is required for Kansas Notaries.

A Notary seal and journal are required. Your Notary seal may be a black-inked stamp or an embosser, but must contain the following information:

• Your name as it appears on your commission
• The words "Notary Public"
• The words "State of Kansas"
• The words "My commission expires _______ (date or blank line)" (optional)
• Picture of the Kansas Capitol building (optional)

Your commission expiration date on the seal is optional but strongly recommended, as this is required on all notarizations performed. Since the Secretary of State assigns the expiration date, it recommends leaving the date blank and filling it out by hand for each notarial act.

When shopping for seal stamps, quality and durability can vary greatly among vendors. Stamps should not bleed during or after use, as this can cause county officials to reject documents due to smudging. A second seal can help you avoid downtime if your seal is ever misplaced, and an embosser can help add an additional layer of fraud prevention security.

You may use either a tangible or electronic journal. A physical journal must be a permanent, bound register with numbered pages and an electronic journal must be tamper-evident. If you choose to use a physical journal, you may only keep one at a time.

Supplies are sold by most vendors in packages, which can sometimes provide savings. However, not all vendor packages are created equal — they can vary greatly in terms of quality and content. If you are a new Notary or renewing your commission, the types and quantity of notarizations can require different tools of the trade.

Yes. A $12,000 four-year bond is required for Kansas Notaries. Additionally, many also choose to purchase optional errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policies to protect themselves from legal expenses. E&O insurance is not a requirement in Kansas.

The Kansas Secretary of State, located in Topeka, KS, issues Notary Public commissions.

You can find several reputable Notary Public training providers with a quick online search. It's important to note that the Secretary of State does not provide workshops or seminars, nor does the Secretary endorse any business that advertises Notary Public training. Since the Secretary of State doesn't have jurisdiction to take action regarding a business that offers Notary training, make sure you thoroughly review any company you plan to work with.

Yes. Several companies offer Notary training, supplies, insurance and assistance with the entire application process. Also, the Secretary of State's website has the application with submission details, if you want to get the process started on your own.

You will be able to notarize anywhere in the state of Kansas.

You can notarize for everyone, excluding yourself. You cannot notarize your own signature, nor can you notarize documents you are named in or would benefit from. While Kansas law allows you to notarize for a spouse, children, parents or other relatives, the power is limited by the provisions of KSA 53-109. If you perform notarizations as part of your employment, your employer may limit the notarizations you perform during your work hours.

Kansas does not have a maximum fee Notaries can charge, but keep your notarial fees reasonable. As a best practice, inform signers of your fees in advance to avoid any confusion.

Any changes to your address or name must be reported to the Secretary of State within 30 days. To do so, complete the Notary Public Change of Status form and submit it to the Secretary.

For name changes, you must get a new seal with your new name and submit the Notary Public Change of Status form with an impression of the new seal. You'll also need to get a rider for the Notary bond.

It depends. Even the most careful and detail-oriented people can make mistakes. As a Notary Public, any unintentional mistake you make or intentional misconduct you engage in could be very costly for everyone involved. Notaries have been sued for financial damages that signers incur, and lawsuits are expensive even if you're innocent. If you are diligent in following the law and keep thorough records, you'll be better prepared if any legal action does come your way.

The process to renew is the same as applying for a new commission. The Kansas Secretary of State recommends starting the renewal process one month before your current commission expires. You may purchase a new Notary seal to reflect your updated commission expiration date. You may also choose to get a new record book (journal) if your old one is full.

Electronic notarizations are similar to traditional notarizations in that they require the signer and Notary to physically meet in person, but they differ in that eNotarizations involve digital documents and electronic signatures. To become an electronic Notary, you must complete a state-approved training course, pass an exam, get a digital certificate, and submit your application along with a $20 information and services fee.

Starting on January 1, 2022, Notaries with an active commission can register to perform remote online notarizations. Taking a course of study and passing an exam will be required. Learn how to become a remote online Notary in Kansas in this guide.

If you're not quite ready yet, we have additional resources where you can learn what a Notary is, what they do and why you should become a commissioned Notary.