Kansas Notary Bond Requirements

Is a notary bond required in Kansas?

Yes. Under K.S.A. 53-5a22, every applicant for a Kansas notary commission must file “an assurance in the form of a surety bond or its functional equivalent in the amount of $12,000” with the Secretary of State. The bond must be issued by a surety or other entity licensed or authorized to do business in Kansas.

The bond protects the public, not the notary. It covers acts the notary performs during the term of the commission, and if a notary violates Kansas notary law, the surety or issuing entity is liable under the assurance up to the bond amount. Because the coverage runs to injured members of the public, a notary who causes a loss can still be required to reimburse the surety.

The bond is filed centrally. The application, oath of office, and surety bond (or its functional equivalent) are all received and indexed in the office of the Secretary of State, which issues the commission once the requirements are met.

How to become a notary in Kansas

1. Confirm eligibility. You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen, and either a Kansas resident or a resident of a bordering state who regularly works or carries on a business or profession in Kansas.
2. Obtain a stamping device — either an ink stamp or an impression seal — that shows your name as it appears on the application, the words “notary public,” and “State of Kansas” or words of like import.
3. Obtain the $12,000 assurance (surety bond or functional equivalent) from an authorized surety.
4. Complete the required course of study and pass the examination if required under K.S.A. 53-5a23.
5. File the application for appointment with the Secretary of State, including the oath of office, the assurance, an impression of your stamp, and the $10 application fee.

Bond vs. E&O insurance in Kansas

Kansas mandates the $12,000 assurance; it does not mandate errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. The distinction matters: the surety bond exists to compensate the public if you make a mistake or commit misconduct, and the surety can seek repayment from you. E&O insurance is a separate, optional product that protects the notary’s own finances against defense costs and claims arising from honest errors. Many Kansas notaries choose to carry E&O coverage in addition to the required assurance, but the state does not require it.

Renewing your Kansas commission

A Kansas commission runs for four years. Because the appointment is time-limited, notaries who wish to keep serving reapply through the Secretary of State before the current term ends, filing a current assurance, oath, and stamp impression along with the application fee. A commission that has lapsed must be renewed before you can continue performing notarial acts, since the assurance must remain valid and on file for the notary to act.

Remote online notarization in Kansas

Kansas authorizes both In-Person Electronic Notarization (IPEN) and Remote Online Notarization (RON). The Kansas Notary Handbook explains that notaries who wish to perform these acts must complete the additional training and testing the state requires for IPEN and RON before notarizing electronically or for remotely located individuals. Consult the Secretary of State’s notary resources for the current technology-provider and registration requirements.

Non-resident notaries in Kansas

Kansas allows certain non-residents to serve. In addition to Kansas residents, a resident of a bordering state who regularly carries on a business or profession in Kansas, or who is regularly employed in Kansas, may apply for a commission. Applicants must still meet the age, citizenship, bond, and examination requirements set out in the statutes.