Kansas Notary Public Bond: A Comprehensive Guide
At a Glance:
- Average Cost: $50 for a four-year term
- Bond Amount: $12,000
- Who Needs it: All notaries public operating in Kansas
- Purpose: To ensure the public receives compensation for financial harm if the notary fails to properly perform their duties
- Who Regulates Notaries Public in Kansas: The Kansas Secretary of State
Background
Kansas Statute 53-5a22 requires all notaries operating in the state to obtain a commission from the Secretary of State before performing notarial acts. The Kansas legislature enacted this requirement to ensure that notaries engage in ethical business practices. To provide financial security for the enforcement of the commission requirement, notaries must purchase and maintain a $12,000 surety bond to be eligible for a commission.
What is the Purpose of the Kansas Notary Public Bond?
Kansas requires notaries to purchase a surety bond as a prerequisite to obtaining a notary commission. The bond protects the public from financial harm if the notary fails to comply with the regulations outlined in Kansas Statute 53-5a22. Specifically, the bond protects the public if the notary signs any documents for persons committing fraud or does not actually witness the signatures on documents being notarized. In short, the bond is a type of insurance that protects the public if the notary violates the terms of their commission.
How Can an Insurance Agent Obtain a Kansas Notary Public Surety Bond?
BondExchange makes obtaining a Kansas Notary Public bond easy. Simply log in to your account and use our keyword search to find the “Notary” bond in our database. Don’t have a login? Gain access now and let us help you satisfy your customers’ needs. Our friendly underwriting staff is available by phone at (800) 438-1162, email, or chat from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM EST to assist you.
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Is a Credit Check Required for the Kansas Notary Public Bond?
No, a credit check is not required for the Kansas Notary Public bond. Because the bond is considered relatively low risk, the same low rate is offered to all notaries in the state regardless of their credit history.
How Much Does the Kansas Notary Public Bond Cost?
The Kansas Notary Public bond costs just $50 for a four-year term.
Who is Required to Purchase the Kansas Notary Bond?
Kansas requires notaries public to purchase a surety bond as a prerequisite to obtaining a notary commission. To paraphrase Kansas Statute 53-5a02, a notary public is a public official authorized to provide the following services:
- Take acknowledgments
- Administer and verify oaths and attestations
- Serve as an impartial witness to the signing of documents
- Certifying and attesting copies
- Noting protests of negotiable instruments
Notaries who wish to become remote online notaries will not need to purchase an additional surety bond. A remote online notary is a commissioned notary public that performs notarial acts on electronic or digital records using specialized software.
BondExchange now offers monthly pay-as-you-go subscriptions for surety bonds. Your customers are able to purchase their bonds on a monthly basis and cancel them anytime. Learn more here.
How Do Notaries Apply for a Commission in Kansas?
Notaries public in Kansas must navigate several steps to obtain a commission. Below are the general guidelines, but applicants should refer to the Secretary of State’s website and the Kansas Notary Public Handbook for details on the process.
Commission Term: All Kansas Notary Public Commissions are valid for four years from the date of issuance.
Notaries Public
Step 1 – Meet the Qualifications
To be eligible to apply for a notary public commission, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
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- Be at least 18 years old
- Live or work in Kansas
Step 2 – Purchase a Surety Bond
Notaries public are required to purchase and maintain a $12,000 surety bond.
Step 3 – Purchase a Notary Seal
Prior to submitting an application, notaries public must obtain a notary seal and include an impression of the seal on the application form. If the seal is a stamp, notaries must include a copy of the stamp. Notary seals can be purchased online or at office supply stores.
Step 4 – Complete the Application
Notaries must submit a completed application to the Secretary of State’s office at the following address:
Memorial Hall, 1st Floor
230 S.W. 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1594
Notaries must complete the application in its entirety and submit the following items:
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- Image of the notary stamp/seal
- $25 filing fee by check or money order
Additionally, the surety bond section of the application must be completed by the surety company, and the oath section of the application must be signed by a commissioned notary public. The Secretary of State will mail the applicant their notary commission after approving their application.
Remote Online Notaries
Step 5 – Select a Tamper-Evident Technology
After receiving their commissions, notaries public can register to become a remote online notary. To do so, notaries must first select a RON technology provider. Kansas provides an approved vendor list, however, it is the responsibility of the notary to make sure the technology is tamper-evident.
Step 6 – Complete Notary Training and Pass the Exam
Notaries must complete an online training course and pass an exam before becoming registered as remote online notaries. Applicants will need to create an account with the Secretary of State’s online platform before gaining access to the course and exam. Both the training and exam are free of charge and notaries will receive a certificate of completion after passing the exam.
Step 7 – Complete an Application
Notaries public must submit a completed application online here. Notaries must submit the following items with the application:
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- $20 fee
- Certificate of Completion from the training and exam
How Do Kansas Notaries Public Renew Their Commissions?
Notaries must apply for a new commission before their existing one expires, as there is no specific renewal process. Notaries are encouraged to apply for new commissions 90 days before their existing ones expire to avoid a lapse in commissions. All Kansas Notary Public Commissions are valid for four years from the date of issuance. Remote online notary registrations run concurrently with traditional notary public commissions.
What are the Insurance Requirements for Notaries Public in Kansas?
Kansas does not require notaries to purchase any form of liability insurance as a prerequisite to obtaining a commission. Notaries public must purchase and maintain a $12,000 surety bond.
How Do Kansas Notaries File Their Bonds?
There is no traditional form for the Kansas Notary bond. Instead, the bond form consists of Section C of the application form. To file their bonds, notaries must submit their completed applications, including the power of attorney, to the Secretary of State’s office at the following address:
Memorial Hall, 1st Floor
230 S.W. 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1594
The bond requires a signature from the surety company that issues the bond. The surety company should include the following information on the bond form:
- Surety company’s name and address
- Date the bond was signed
What Can Kansas Notaries Do to Avoid Claims Against Their Bonds?
To avoid claims on their bonds, notaries public in Kansas must adhere to all state regulations, including some of the most important issues below that tend to cause claims:
- Do not leave any notary supplies (seal and journal) in a place where they can be easily stolen
- Do not perform notary services for entities/individuals who are engaged in acts of fraud
- Ensure that the signers of documents are who they say they are and are not misrepresenting themselves
- Witness the signatures of all documents being notarized
- Record all transactions in a notary journal
What Other Insurance Products Can Agents Offer Notaries in Kansas?
BondExchange offers free notary E&O insurance with the surety bond purchase for notaries in Kansas. Unlike a surety bond, E&O insurance protects the notary rather than the public.
How Can Insurance Agents Prospect for Kansas Notary Customers?
Kansas conveniently provides a public database of commissioned notaries operating in the state. Contact BondExchange for additional marketing resources. Agents can also leverage our print-mail relationships for discounted mailing services.
What Other States Require Notary Bonds?
29 states and the District of Columbia require notaries to purchase a surety bond as a prerequisite to obtaining a commission. Insurance agents should utilize our Main Notary Bond Page for a detailed analysis of the Notary Bond requirements nationwide.
