How to Become a Kansas Notary
Requirements
In Kansas, becoming a notary requires satisfying a few basic conditions. First, you must be at least 18 years old, a United States Citizen or permanent resident alien and a resident of Kansas. Additionally, you have to have no prior convictions of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude. After satisfying these requirements, you can proceed with the application process.
Age Requirement
In order to become a Kansas notary, all applicants must:
- be at least 18 years of age and be a legal resident of Kansas.
- be able to read, write, and understand English.
- provide their license number when they file their notary application (applicants who are licensed real estate brokers or agents only).
- obtain notary licenses from the state in which they are serving (applicants who are currently serving in any branch of the United States Armed Forces only).
Citizenship Requirement
To become a Kansas notary, you must meet the requirements set out by the Secretary of State for the state. This includes being an adult US citizen, at least 18 years old, who is a current resident of Kansas and has an address in the state. You must present valid proof of your residence, such as a driver’s license or another government-issued document. You must provide your Social Security number upon application as well as complete and pass both a background check and an exam administered by the Secretary of State prior to your appointment.
Furthermore, you will need to swear that you have read the duties and reasons behind being appointed as a notary with full understanding:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a valid proof of residence.
- Provide your Social Security number.
- Complete and pass both a background check and an exam.
- Swear that you have read the duties and reasons behind being appointed as a notary with full understanding.
Residency Requirement
In order to become a notary in Kansas, you must meet a few basic requirements. Most importantly, you must be a resident of the state of Kansas at the time of your application and have an established physical presence there. A physical presence includes having an address where you receive regular mail and actually living in the state, whether temporarily or permanently.
You must also be at least 18 years old at the time of application and remain so throughout your term as a notary. Kansas notaries must complete an education/training course, provided by either the Secretary of State or by an approved agency, to confirm their knowledge about acceptable notarial practices and procedures. Additionally, all applicants are required to pass a criminal background check multiple times during their tenure as a notary public in Kansas. Finally, applicants are required to submit the Notary Public application in full with all accompanying fees.
Application Process
Becoming a Kansas Notary is not a difficult process, but there are several steps you must go through in order to be successful. The first step is to submit a notary application to the Secretary of State’s office. You must include a criminal background check, a fee, and other required documents. Once your application is accepted, you will be required to take an oath of office and be officially sworn in.
Let’s take a closer look at the rest of the application process:
Gather Required Documents
One of the first steps you will need to take when starting an application process is gathering all of the required documents. Depending on the type of application you are completing, there may be specific documents required to demonstrate your qualifications or ability to fulfill the requirements. Common documents needed include:
- Identification
- Resumes
- References
- Educational records
- Transcripts
- Certifications
- Any other evidence of your skillset
Obtaining these records ahead of time gives you ample time to ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date. Additionally, if your resume cannot sufficiently illustrate the breadth and depth of your experience or knowledge base in areas related to the job you are applying for which are not documented in existing resume entries then make sure to include signed letters from supervisors who can attest to this knowledge or experience.
Submit Application
Before submitting your application, it is important to take the time to review all the directions and make sure you are including all the required information. When writing your answers, be clear and concise yet provide enough detail so that the evaluators can get a well rounded picture of you as a potential applicant.
Your application should include a resume, cover letter (if applicable), transcripts, additional documents (such as letters of recommendation or SAT/ACT scores) and any additional materials required by the institution. Be sure to proofread your application before submitting it to ensure that there are no typos or errors.
Once you have submitted your application you will receive confirmation that it has been accepted for review. You may need to check back with the college or university for updates on your status and whether further information has been requested from you. It is important to remain patient throughout this process, as many institutions have multiple rounds of consideration and can take several months before any decision is made.
Take Notary Training Course
In order to become a Kansas Notary, applicants must first take a required four-hour training course. The class must be taken through the Office of the Kansas Secretary of State and the cost is $30. The training will cover the following topics:
- Notary Law and Procedures
- Jurisdictional Authority of a Notary Public
- Understanding Acknowledgments & Jurats
- Identity Proofing & Document Execution
- Administration of Oaths & Affirmations
- Understanding Notarizations for Non-Residents
- Using Modern Technology in Notarizations
- Beneficial Uses of Electronic Records and Signatures
- Best Practices for Professional Conduct & Ethics
Once you have passed the course with at least 70% accuracy, you’ll receive a certificate that is valid for two years, that you can use to apply for your notary commission.
Exam
In order for Kansas notaries to become certified and legally qualified to perform notarial acts, they must pass a written exam. This exam covers the following topics:
- Overview of notary public duties and responsibilities
- Lawful notarial acts
- Notarial certificates
- Using the Kansas notary journal
- Kansas statutes and regulations
After passing the exam, the new notary public can apply for their notary commission.
Prepare for the Exam
When you’re ready to sit for the notary exam, make sure you have the items required of each applicant. You’ll need to provide proof of your identity such as a government-issued ID like a driver’s license or passport. You’ll also be required to submit an application, along with the exam fee, and any other documentation noted in the filing instructions menu on the state website.
In preparation for your notary public examination, it’s recommended that you review and become familiar with Kansas’s notary laws and statutes. This will help ensure that you are aware of any changes that have taken place since passing your last test.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to brush up on some of the basics such as:
- Document recording requirements
- Fees
- Proper endorsements
before taking your examination. Be sure to access study materials available online or through publications sold by local office supply stores in order to adequately prepare for the test.
Take the Exam
Taking an exam is a necessary part of the educational journey, but it does not have to be overwhelming. Preparing for the exam and taking the steps required to make sure you are ready for test day can help you reduce stress and feel more in control.
Knowing what to expect when you take an exam can help ease feelings of anxiety and make it easier to stay focused on the task at hand. Before taking any exam, check with your testing center or instructor to find out exactly how much time you will have, what type of questions will be used (multiple-choice, essay, true/false), how many questions there are, and if calculators or other tools will be allowed. Additionally, following standardized testing guidelines is recommended; these guidelines often include not talking during a timed test and raising your hand if you need assistance from the proctor.
When preparing for an exam, some experts recommend:
- Starting by studying difficult topics first when your mind is fresh and then saving simpler topics for closer to test time.
- Breaking up study time into shorter increments as opposed to one long session; this helps keep challenging material fresh in your mind instead of having a marathon study session leading up to the big day.
- Looking over practice problems that mirror those that will appear on the actual test in order to get familiar with types of questions being asked.
- Getting plenty of rest on the days before your exam so that you can enter the testing center feeling refreshed and well-prepared for success!
Receive Results
Once you have completed your exam, you will receive your results within a few days. If you pass the test, you will receive a certificate of commission that must be presented to the county clerk or county register of deeds office in order to complete the notary application, get your seal and begin serving as a Kansas Notary Public. If you fail the Exam, there is no penalty; however, you may retake it after 24 hours. Visit the Kansas Secretary of State website for updates to notary rules and regulations.
Once you have received a certificate of commission from the state and have completed an application for appointment as a Notary Public with the county official where your principal place of business is located, you may begin serving upon taking an oath and having your signature recorded by the official. Upon completion, you will receive your seal from the county official after paying any applicable fees.
Bond
One of the requirements to become a Kansas Notary is to obtain a surety bond. This bond is intended to protect the public from any financial losses resulting from a notarial act performed by the notary.
The purchaser of the bond must obtain it from a surety bond company licensed to do business in the state of Kansas. Once you have obtained a surety bond, you will need to file the bond with the Secretary of State’s office.
Obtain a Surety Bond
For the process of becoming a Notary in the state of Kansas, you must obtain a surety bond. A surety bond is a three-party agreement between you (the principal), your surety provider (the obligor), and your state government’s Secretary of State Office (the obligee). It serves as a financial promise that you will perform your duties as notary faithfully and according to the laws of Kansas.
The surety bond must be purchased from a Kansas-approved surety provider, typically an insurance company or bonding agency. You are required to pay an annual premium for the term of your commission, usually between $15 – $50 depending on coverage options. The amount of coverage for your bond is equal to the maximum liability for any single act or omission that may result in damages or financial loss related to your notarial act. In other words, it guarantees that should someone make a claim against your Notary duties due to negligence or misconduct, it would be covered up to that amount.
Once you receive your bond approval from the Secretary of State office you are officially registered as a Notary Public in Kansas.
File Bond with Secretary of State
In order to be appointed and commissioned as a Notary Public in Kansas, you have to file a surety bond with the Secretary of State’s office. A surety bond is broken into two parts:
- Obligee – The person protected by the bond (Secretary of State)
- Principal – The person responsibility for fulfilling their duties as a Notary Public (you)
The surety bond you must file is an amount of $7,500. This amount is what will be paid out if you fail to fulfill your duties correctly or if you misuse your authority as a Notary. It is not an insurance policy for yourself, but rather an assurance for the public that you will fulfill Your Duties as a Notary Public with care and accuracy. It also covers any financial loss anyone may incur in case of such failures.
The surety company that backs your bond must be licensed to write Surety Bonds in Kansas and should be listed with the Secretary of State’s Office. In addition, they must complete and return all required documents if requested by the Secretary of State.
You are liable for everything stated in your surety bond until it is officially cancelled by either party involved; this includes any penalties due at that time. So make sure to keep copies on hand and check back with your Surety Company regularly about when it might need to be renewed or updated for any reason whatsoever.
Commission
In order to become a commissioned Kansas Notary, applicants must first meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the Kansas Secretary of State. These include:
- being over 18 years of age
- being a resident of the state of Kansas
- having a valid driver’s license
- maintaining a reputation for honesty and integrity
Furthermore, an applicant must complete the application process, which typically involves submitting an application and fees to the Kansas Secretary of State’s office.
Receive Commission Certificate
After an applicant has been found to be qualified and the commission form provided by the Secretary of State issued, they must pay a $20 filing fee online. Once payment is made, Kansas notaries are issued their commission certificate within 10 days. The certificate will include your name, county of residence, expiration date and official signature of the Secretary of State.
The official signature is necessary for notaries to perform out-of-state notarization requests. It is important for each Notary to recognize that the signing and taking oaths on behalf of the state are serious matters, so care should be taken when performing all actions throughout their commission period. A Notary’s authority begins upon receipt of their commission certificate and ends on their expiration date indicated on the certificate itself.
Activate Commission
Activating a commission account is the first step to earning money when customers purchase products through an affiliate program. After setting up a commission account, you will begin to earn a percentage of the sales you generate. It is important to understand how much commission you are eligible to receive and when payment will be remitted.
To activate your commission account, log in to the affiliate dashboard and complete the following steps:
- Select “Commissions” from the left-hand side of the page
- Enter your banking details for direct deposit
- Read and accept the terms and conditions of service
- Submit your information
- Wait for confirmation from the merchant
Once approved, your account will be activated and you can start promoting products associated with this particular merchant in order to earn commissions!
Start Working as a Kansas Notary
In the state of Kansas, anyone who wishes to serve as a notary public must apply for a commission. Becoming a notary public can be useful for verifying contract signatures and other documents that require authentication. Following are the steps to take to become a notary in Kansas:
- Determine Eligibility: In order to become a notary, you must meet certain legal requirements, such as being at least 18 years of age and having lived in the state of Kansas for at least 30 days prior to filing your application. Additionally, you must have no felony convictions and no misdemeanor convictions relating to fraud or dishonesty.
- Gather Requirements: You will need to submit additional documents along with your application for a notary commission. These can include proof of residency (such as your driver’s license or another official identification document) and two character references from people who know you personally and are willing to vouch for your integrity as a notary public.
- File Application: The application form is available online or through the mail-in packet available at participating county clerks’ offices. Each county has its own filing fee, so make sure you understand any applicable fees associated with applying in your county before submitting your request.
- Publish Notice: Once you receive the certificate of appointment from the Secretary of State’s office, you will need to publish notice in The Topeka Capital-Journal Newspaper within 60 days republishing once every 60 days thereafter until you officially resign or have received notification that your commission has expired or been revoked by the governor’s office in writing without their knowledge submitted on file with that office thereafter from each locality wherein transactions by such Notaries may be had shall also be published.
- Make Bond Payment & stamps Purchase: Notaries Public are required by law to purchase an official stamp bearing their name and complete expiration term date which should appear on all affidavits any documentation requiring their official signature affixed thereto; also, each Notary is expected maintain key bond account may be held one two surety insurance companies approved state. Amount this bond adjusted periodically due inflation therefore necessary stay date information provided official website insure proper payment made meet term requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What qualifications do I need to become a Kansas notary?
A: To become a notary public in Kansas, you must be at least 18 years of age, a legal resident of Kansas, and have no criminal record.
Q: How do I apply to become a notary public in Kansas?
A: You must complete an application and submit it to the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office, along with the appropriate fee. You will also need to submit proof of your identity, such as a valid driver’s license.
Q: How much does it cost to become a notary public in Kansas?
A: The cost to become a notary public in Kansas is $30.00, which covers the application fee and the cost of the notary seal.