Kentucky does not require a journal for traditional notarizations — but mandates a permanent electronic journal for all online/RON notarizations under KRS 423.380 with 10-year retention. Kentucky’s $1,000 bond is among the lowest nationally. County clerk filing required within 30 days. NotaryAct is state-configured for Kentucky — RON fields fully enabled, best-practice journal for all acts.
| ⚖️ Kentucky Notary Journal Law — Quick Reference | |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | KRS Chapter 423 · § 423.380 (online journal) · RULONA (2019 Ky. Acts ch. 86) |
| Traditional Journal | Not required · Recommended as best practice |
| Online/Electronic Journal | Mandatory for all electronic notarizations · Permanent, tamper-evident format ✓ |
| RON A/V Recording | Required — 10-year retention ✓ |
| Online Journal Retention | 10 years after last electronic notarization in journal |
| Multiple Electronic Journals | Online notary may maintain more than one journal |
| Thumbprint / Fingerprint | Not required · Not prohibited · Optional in NotaryAct KY configuration |
| Surety Bond | $1,000 — one of the lowest in the country ✓ |
| County Clerk Filing | Required within 30 days of SOS approval — $19 county fee ✓ |
| Online Notary Registration | Separate SOS registration required · Approved technology vendor required · County clerk filing for registration ($19 fee) |
| Max Traditional Fee | Set by SOS administrative regulation |
| Commission Term | 4 years · $10 SOS application fee · $19 county clerk fee |
Kentucky adopted RULONA through 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 86, effective January 1, 2020. Under this framework, traditional in-person notarizations have no statutory journal requirement — keeping a record is recommended but not mandated. Online notarizations (both IPEN and RON) require a permanent tamper-evident electronic journal under KRS 423.380.
Kentucky’s $1,000 surety bond is one of the lowest in the country — a meaningful distinction when most states require $5,000 to $25,000. Combined with the $10 SOS application fee, Kentucky is one of the most affordable states for new notaries. The county clerk step adds $19 but must be completed within 30 days or the commission is at risk.
The online notary journal must be permanent, tamper-evident, and comply with administrative regulations. Multiple electronic journals are permitted simultaneously. Upon discovering loss or theft, the notary must promptly notify the SOS. The journal must be retained for 10 years after the last electronic notarization entry. An employer or approved repository may act as custodian under contract.
Required fields for each electronic notarization journal entry include:
| 1 | Date and time — Auto-timestamped by NotaryAct. |
| 2 | Description and type of notarial act — Document description and act type dropdown in NotaryAct. |
| 3 | Full name and address of each principal — Auto-filled via barcode scanner from any Kentucky driver’s license. |
| 4 | Identity verification method — Personal knowledge, credential details, or credible witness. NotaryAct supports all three. |
| 5 | Fee charged — NotaryAct includes a fee field in every entry. |
✔ NotaryAct is state-configured for Kentucky: All required online journal fields enabled. Permanent tamper-evident electronic format satisfies KRS 423.380 requirements. Best-practice journal for traditional acts. 10-year encrypted cloud retention. Fingerprint capture available as optional feature.
Other state guides: Tennessee · Ohio · Indiana · Virginia · All 50 States →
NotaryAct’s Kentucky configuration gives you mandatory online journal compliance and best-practice journal support for traditional acts — at one of the lowest bond costs in the country.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information reflects KRS Chapter 423 and 30 KAR 8:005 as in effect June 2026. Consult the Kentucky Secretary of State at sos.ky.gov or qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.
