Written by Acorn Sales Company, manufacturing stamps and seals since 1964 · Reviewed by Molly, VP Marketing at Acorn Sales, against KRS Chapter 423 and 030 KAR 8:005 on 20 September 2026 · Updated 20 September 2026
Kentucky does not require a notary stamp at all. The statute says it plainly: a notary public “is not required to use a stamp”. But read the rest of that same sentence, because it is where most Kentucky guidance stops too early. If you choose to use a stamp, it must carry your name, title, jurisdiction, commission number and expiration date, and be capable of being copied together with the record. Optional in law, regulated once you opt in, and expected in practice by almost every receiving party.
Kentucky notary stamp requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Kentucky rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp required | No | KRS 423.370, KRS 423.360 |
| Required wording | The notary’s name, Title, Jurisdiction, Commission number and Expiration date | KRS 423.370 |
| Size and shape | Not specified for paper. | KRS 423.370 |
| Ink color | Not specified. | KRS 423.370 |
| Embosser | Expressly contemplated for tangible records. | KRS 423.360, KRS 423.370 |
| Commission term | Terms run four years. | KRS 423.390, KRS 423.375(1) |
| Name or address change | Submit the changed information to the Secretary of State within 10 days with the $10 fee. | KRS 423.390, KRS 423.375(1) |
| Lost or stolen stamp | Notify the Secretary of State promptly on discovering the device is lost or stolen. | KRS 423.375(1), (2), (3) |
| Commissioning authority | The Kentucky Secretary of State, with qualification before the county clerk in your county of commission | KRS Chapter 423 |
Rules for other states are on notary stamp requirements by state.
Is a notary stamp required in Kentucky?
No. Kentucky does not require a stamp: “A notary public commissioned pursuant to KRS 423.300 to 423.455 is not required to use a stamp.” The certificate provision is permissive too: an official stamp “may be affixed to or embossed on the certificate”
The governing text is KRS 423.370, KRS 423.360.
What must appear on a Kentucky notary stamp?
- The notary’s name
- Title
- Jurisdiction
- Commission number
- Expiration date
For electronic records the rule is tighter: the stamp must show your name as it appears on the commission, the commission number, the expiration date, and the words “Commonwealth of Kentucky” and “Notary Public”.
What size and shape must a Kentucky notary stamp be?
Not specified for paper. An electronic stamp must substantially conform to a rectangular or circular design, with no minimum or maximum size when photographically reproduced.
Notary public stamps are made to these conventions, and we check your lines against the statutory wording before we make the stamp.
What ink color is required for a Kentucky notary stamp?
Not specified. The only appearance requirement is that the stamp be capable of being copied together with the record.
More on the trade-off in stamp ink color rules.
Is a notary embosser required or optional in Kentucky?
Expressly contemplated for tangible records. The practical catch is that KRS 423.370(2) still requires the stamp to be “capable of being copied together with the record”, which a blind emboss will not satisfy. No Kentucky source expressly forbids emboss-only, and none expressly blesses it.
Notary embossing seal kits and inked stamp kits cover both formats. See also notary stamp vs. embosser.
Kentucky does not require a stamp at all
This is the single most surprising rule in the Kentucky notary act, and it contradicts what almost every supplier implies. KRS 423.370 says it plainly: a Kentucky notary is not required to use a stamp. The certificate statute is permissive to match, saying a stamp “may be” affixed or embossed.
So why do most Kentucky notaries still carry one? Because the receiving party usually expects it. Banks, title companies, courts and out-of-state recipients look for a seal and question a certificate without one, and a stamp puts your commission number and expiration date on the page in one motion instead of by hand.
Optional in law, expected in practice. Order one because it saves arguments, not because Kentucky makes you.
Do I need a new stamp when my commission is renewed or my name changes?
Terms run four years. Apply no earlier than 60 days before expiry; if your commission has already lapsed the application is treated as a new appointment. A stamp bearing the old expiration date cannot carry over, because KRS 423.375(1) requires you to disable the device on the date shown in it.
Submit the changed information to the Secretary of State within 10 days with the $10 fee. The certificate and stamping device must carry your full legal name.
What do I do if my Kentucky notary stamp is lost or stolen?
Notify the Secretary of State promptly on discovering the device is lost or stolen. No day count is specified. You are responsible for the device’s security and may not let anyone else use it.
How do I dispose of an expired Kentucky notary stamp?
Even though the stamp is optional, the duties around it are not. On resignation, revocation, expiry, or the date shown on the device, you must “disable the stamping device by destroying, defacing, damaging, erasing, or securing it against use in a manner that renders it unusable”. On death or incompetency the personal representative or guardian does the same.
More on retiring an old device in how to dispose of an expired notary stamp.
Can I notarize electronically or remotely in Kentucky?
Both authorized. An online notary must register with the Secretary of State before performing electronic notarizations, and may use a stamp reading “Online Notary Public” instead of “Notary Public” for acts involving remotely located individuals. Where communication technology is used with a tangible record, the certificate must state: “This notarial act involved the use of communication technology.” Session recordings are kept at least 10 years.
If you need your seal as an image file for electronic work, see electronic notary seal images.
Related Kentucky guides
Next step
Have your commission details in front of you before you order, because they go on the stamp and a wrong line means a reorder. Then browse notary public stamps, or call 804-359-0505 and we will check your wording against the statute before we make it.
Frequently asked questions about Kentucky notary seals
Is a notary stamp required in Kentucky?
No. KRS 423.370 states that a notary public commissioned under the Kentucky act “is not required to use a stamp.” The certificate provision matches, saying an official stamp “may be” affixed to or embossed on the certificate.
If a Kentucky stamp is optional, is it unregulated?
No, and this is the trap. The same section that makes the stamp optional says that if a notary chooses to use one, it must include the notary's name, title, jurisdiction, commission number and expiration date, and must be capable of being copied together with the record. Optional to carry, mandatory in content once you do.
Why do most Kentucky notaries still use a stamp?
Because the receiving party expects one. Banks, title companies, courts and out-of-state recipients look for a seal and question a certificate without one. A stamp also puts your commission number and expiration date on the page in one motion instead of by hand.
What ink color is required for a Kentucky notary stamp?
None. Kentucky prescribes no color anywhere in the statute or the regulations. The only appearance requirement is that the stamp be capable of being copied together with the record, so choose a color that survives a photocopy.
Are the rules different for electronic records in Kentucky?
Yes, and they are more specific. A stamp used on an electronic record must include your name as it appears on the commission, your commission number, your expiration date and the words “Commonwealth of Kentucky” and “Notary Public”. It must substantially conform to a rectangular or circular design and be clear, legible and photographically reproducible. A stamp is not required for electronic records either.
What do I do with my Kentucky stamp when my commission ends?
Disable it. On resignation, revocation, expiry, or the date shown on the device, you must “disable the stamping device by destroying, defacing, damaging, erasing, or securing it against use in a manner that renders it unusable.” On death or incompetency the personal representative or guardian does the same.
What if my Kentucky notary stamp is lost or stolen?
Notify the Secretary of State promptly on discovering the device is lost or stolen. No day count is specified. You are responsible for the device's security and may not let anyone else use it.
How long does a Kentucky notary commission last?
Four years. Apply no earlier than 60 days before expiry; if your commission has already lapsed the application is treated as a new appointment. A stamp bearing the old expiration date cannot carry over, because you must disable the device on the date shown in it.
