Quick Facts
Commission Term
4 years
Bond
$12,000
Application Fee
$25
Issuing Authority
Kansas Secretary of State
Journal
Required
Fee Caps
No caps
What makes Kansas distinctive
- Kansas permits remote online notarization (RON), joining 47 other states that allow notarization over live video.
- Kansas requires a notary journal for every official act — only 17 of 50 states do.
Authorized Services
Core Services
Free TierAdvanced Services
Pro TierIdentity Verification Methods
- Personal Knowledge
- Government-Issued ID
- Credible Witness
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Authorized
Kansas authorizes remote online notarization. Additional requirements may apply.
Kansas notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State under K.S.A. §§ 53-5a01 through 53-5a27, with a 4-year commission term and a $12,000 surety bond. The state sets no statutory cap on notarial fees, and Kansas authorizes remote online notarization under K.S.A. § 53-5a22 with approved RON technology providers. Kansas requires notaries to keep a journal of all notarial acts and retain the journal for five years after the last entry. Consult the Kansas notary compliance reference for the current fee cap, journal retention rules, and the RON approval process.
Key Considerations
- Kansas adopted Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) in KSA Chapter 53, Article 5a
- 3-year ID expiration grace period (generous - ID can be expired not more than 3 years)
- NO fee caps - notaries set own fees (unique freedom)
- MANDATORY fee disclosure and agreement before performing act (KSA requirement)
- Must disclose to signer that fee is permitted but not required by state law
Regulatory Authority
Kansas Secretary of State - Notary Division
Visit official websiteStatutory Authority
Primary sources backing this guide. Refer to your state's current statutes for the authoritative text.
KSA Chapter 53, Article 5a
Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA)
KSA 53-5a07
Identification of individual
KSA 53-5a11
Certificate of notarial act
KSA 53-5a15
Remote online notarization
KSA 53-5a21
Commission application requirements
KSA 53-5a22
Applicant qualifications
KSA 53-5a23
Course of study and examination
KSA 53-5a24
Grounds for denial, revocation, suspension
KSA 23-2504
Who may solemnize marriages (officiating persons)
Kansas Administrative Regulations 7-43-16
Fee for performing notarial act
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a notary commission valid in Kansas?
A Kansas notary public commission is valid for 4 years from the date of issue. Renewal requires reapplying through the Kansas Secretary of State - Notary Division before the term expires.
How much does it cost to apply to be a notary in Kansas?
Kansas charges $25 as the application fee to the Kansas Secretary of State - Notary Division. Additional costs may include the surety bond, official seal or stamp, and required journal.
Does Kansas require a notary bond?
Yes. Kansas requires a notary surety bond of $12,000. The bond protects the public against errors or misconduct by the notary; it is purchased from a licensed surety company, not the state.
Is a notary journal required in Kansas?
Yes. Kansas requires a notary journal for every official act. The journal is a permanent record subject to inspection by the Kansas Secretary of State - Notary Division and must be retained for the period specified in state law.
Is a notary seal or stamp required in Kansas?
Yes. Kansas notaries must affix an official seal or stamp to every notarial act they perform. The seal must be obtained from an authorized vendor and meet the format requirements set by the Kansas Secretary of State - Notary Division.
Can Kansas notaries perform remote online notarizations?
Yes. Kansas authorizes remote online notarization (RON), allowing a notary to notarize documents over live video with an out-of-state signer. RON typically requires additional registration, an approved technology platform, and identity-proofing via knowledge-based authentication or credential analysis.
What identity verification methods can Kansas notaries use?
Kansas notaries may verify a signer's identity using the following methods: Personal Knowledge, Government-Issued ID, and Credible Witness. Each method has its own evidentiary weight — government-issued photo ID is the most common.
Does Kansas cap notary fees?
Kansas does not set hard statutory maximums on notarial fees. Kansas has NO statutory fee cap - notaries set their own fees; MANDATORY requirements: (1) Fee must be disclosed to signer and agreed to by signer BEFORE notarial act is performed, (2) Fee must be collected when notarial act is performed, (3) Fee must be recorded in notary's journal, (4) Notary must disclose to signer that fee is permitted but not required by state law/regulation
Who regulates notaries in Kansas?
Kansas notaries are commissioned and regulated by the Kansas Secretary of State - Notary Division. Application, renewal, and disciplinary processes are administered through their official website.
Does Kansas authorize in-person electronic notarization (eNotarization)?
Yes. Kansas authorizes in-person electronic notarization, where the signer is physically present but the document and signature are electronic. This is distinct from remote online notarization (RON), which uses live video for an out-of-state signer.
What notarial acts can Kansas notaries perform?
Kansas notaries are authorized to perform 11 of the 14 canonical notarial acts tracked in this guide, including Acknowledgment, Jurat, Oath / Affirmation, and Affidavit. See the Authorized Services section above for the full list.
Ready to Become a Notary in Kansas?
Start your application through the Kansas Secretary of State - Notary Division.
Related Articles
Remote Online Notarization (RON): State Guide 2026
State-by-state breakdown of which jurisdictions permit RON, the technology requirements, and the additional registration steps for notaries who want to offer it.
Notary Journal Requirements by State
When a journal is legally required versus advisory, what must be recorded, retention periods, and how to handle subpoenas of journal entries.
Notary Acknowledgments: 50-State Guide
Authoritative reference for acknowledgment certificate language across all 50 states, including short-form versus long-form requirements.
Get the Full Kansas Compliance Guide
Step-by-step notarization guides with legal citations, fee schedules, and certificate templates.
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