What Notaries need to know about Kentucky’s new stamp requirements

Updated 12-20-19. Kentucky’s new Notary law taking effect January 1, 2020 requires additional information to be added to a Notary’s official stamp. Read more about the new stamp requirements below:

Are all Kentucky Notaries required to use an official stamp?

No, use of an official stamp is optional for Kentucky Notaries.

What if I want to use an official stamp?

You may do so. However, if you use an official stamp, it must contain all the following information starting January 1:

1. The Notary’s name and title

2. The Notary’s jurisdiction

3. The Notary’s commission number

4. The Notary’s commission expiration date

I currently have a stamp, but it doesn’t include my commission number or expiration date. Can I still use this stamp after Dec. 31?

No. If your current stamp does not include all information required under the new law, you will need to replace it by January 1 with a new stamp that includes all mandatory information.

What do I need to know if I do not use an official stamp?

KRS 423.360(2) says that a notarial certificate completed by a Notary must include the Notary’s commission number and expiration date. So if a Kentucky Notary does not use an official stamp, you will need to write your commission number and commission expiration date on any certificate wording you complete for a notarization.

While use of an official stamp is optional, Kentucky Notaries may find using a stamp more convenient since the stamp must already include the commission number and expiration date.

Where can I purchase a new stamp?

You can purchase Kentucky Notary Stamps compliant with the new law from the NNA.

If you ordered a Kentucky Notary Seal from the NNA after December 4, 2019, you will receive a new-law compliant seal.
If you ordered a Kentucky Notary Seal from the NNA between October 1 and December 4, 2019, the NNA will send you a replacement compliant seal, free of charge, automatically.
If you ordered a Kentucky Notary Seal from the NNA prior to October 1, 2019 you will need to place an order for a new seal.

35 Comments

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notary40391@gmail.com

29 Oct 2023

When I got my notary certificate in 2021, the county clerk office told me that that I can get a stamp & leave the expiration date blank so I can write the date in, so I don't have to buy a new stamp every 4 years. I am working on getting assignments as a loan signing agent. Would be ok to write in or even use a date stamp to fill in the blank space?

National Notary Association

30 Nov 2023

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

Luke mcmahan

24 Feb 2023

How do I verify the seal number is legal

27 Feb 2023

Hello. You can lookup Notary commissions for Kentucky at this website: https://web.sos.ky.gov/notaries/SearchNotaries

LMPIER2@UKY.EDU

03 Jan 2023

If the commission is for the State at Large, does the stamp need to say" State at Large, Kentucky" or does the stamp need to have the county of residence, i.e. "Fayette, Kentucky"?

10 Jan 2023

Hello. In Kentucky, the stamp must include the following information (KRS 423.370[1]): 1. Name of Notary; 2. Title of Notary; 3. Jurisdiction of Notary; (Examples of official seals usually render this information as "Commonwealth of Kentucky") 4. Commission number of Notary; 5. Commission expiration date of Notary. Kentucky does not require Notaries to list their county of residence on the Notary seal.

Lisa

28 Dec 2022

One of the requirements for the stamp is, Title. Is "Notary" acceptable or should the the stamp have "Notary Public"?

03 Feb 2023

Typically the title is “Notary Public.” However, a Notary Public in the state of Kentucky is not required to use a stamp. If a notary public chooses to use a stamp, the notary public shall have an official stamp which shall … [b]e capable of being copied together with the record to which it is affixed or attached or with which it is logically associated.” The law also indicates that if a Notary chooses to have an official stamp, the stamp must include the following (KRS 423.370[1]): • Name of Notary; • Title of Notary; • Jurisdiction of Notary; • Commission number of Notary; • Commission expiration date of Notary. The law does not say whether the title can be “Notary” or can be “Notary Public.” The sample images of stamps provided by the state indicates the full title of “Notary Public”

Faith

07 Mar 2022

I think I qualify for a free replacement but I don’t have my receipt for my seal or anything. How do I initiate this process and find out if I qualify?

11 Mar 2022

Hello. You can contact the NNA at services@nationalnotary.org or the Kentucky Secretary of State's Notary Branch at 1-502-564-3490.

Dana Baumgardner

29 Dec 2020

I have the new stamp with my number and expiration date. Do I still need a embossed stamp? confused

04 Jan 2021

Hello. No, as stated in the article above, Kentucky Notaries are not required to use an official stamp. However, if you do use a stamp, it must meet the information requirements in the state's new law.

Debra M Heaster

04 Jun 2020

How do I find out what my commission number is?

05 Jun 2020

Hello. If you obtained your commission through the NNA, please contact our Customer Care team at 1-800-876-6827 for assistance. Otherwise, you will need to contact your state Notary regulating agency for assistance.

Tina Blakley

29 May 2020

Can you use a self inking stamp with all the correct information and have a line to where you can write in your expiration date?

Tina

01 May 2020

If I am understanding this right, a stamp is optional in Kentucky as long as you write the ID # and the exp date (which we already had to write), what about other states? If we notorize something that is going out of state will our old embossed stamp work for other states?

Hello.The signer should contact the receiving agency to ask if there will be any issues accepting the document.

Melissa

14 Mar 2020

My commission expires in August. Do I still need to get a new stamp, or can I wait until I renew my term?

16 Mar 2020

Hello. If your current stamp does not meet the new law's requirements, you need to obtain a new stamp that includes the additional information required under the new law.

Sharon Weigel

27 Feb 2020

To confirm, the embosser has to have all the 4 pieces of information or I can no longer use it? I do already have all of the info on the regular stamp but not the embosser.

Hello Sharon. Any Notary seal you choose to use must include all 4 pieces of required information or you cannot use it.

Danette Chumbley

10 Feb 2020

Does the notary have sign their name even if their stamp states name and everything needed

12 Feb 2020

Hello. Yes, KRS 423.360[1] states that the Notary certificate must be signed by the Notary.

Shannon

06 Feb 2020

You are not allowed to use your embosser at all. It has to be a stamp per Frankfort, and yes it will cost to get a new stamp! Im sad to see it go!!

Dawn

29 Jan 2020

If document is "notorized" using a rubber stamp after January 1, 2020 that does not include their number, is the document null and void? The number is hand written under the stamp.

30 Jan 2020

Hello. As stated in the article above, if a Kentucky Notary's current stamp does not include all information required under the new law, the Notary will need to replace it with a new stamp that includes all mandatory information. Any questions whether or not a notarization issue would invalidate a document would have to be answered by a qualified attorney.

Cecilia

25 Jan 2020

My stamp has the commission expiration date but not the notary ID. Is it ok if I write my Notary ID beside the stamp?

27 Jan 2020

Hello. No, if your current Kentucky stamp does not include all information required under the new law, you will need to replace it with a new stamp that includes all mandatory information.

WF

13 Jan 2020

Does this requirement mean the embosser as well? Will updating cost me?

Hello. The new law applies to any seal a Kentucky Notary chooses to use.

Sw

07 Jan 2020

Are embossing stamps still acceptable or do they need to be ink based stamps now?

08 Jan 2020

Hello. Use of a stamp remains optional in Kentucky. However, if KY Notaries choose to use a stamp, it must include the information required in the new law.

Lecia Hopper

22 Dec 2019

Where do you use your stamp on a title? Is it stamped on line for commission expiration? I really don’t know where to stamp it at.

23 Dec 2019

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Are all Kentucky Notaries required to use an official stamp?

What if I want to use an official stamp?

I currently have a stamp, but it doesn’t include my commission number or expiration date. Can I still use this stamp after Dec. 31?

What do I need to know if I do not use an official stamp?

Where can I purchase a new stamp?

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