Notary Permits & Licenses in Bowling Green, KY

Required for all LLCs to register with the state. Annual report also required ($15 fee, due by June 30 each year).

Applies to all LLCs; failure to file leads to loss of good standing.

Prerequisites: 18+, KY resident, high school diploma or equivalent, pass state exam, $10,000 surety bond, take oath. Commission term 4 years. Exam fee $25, administered by county clerks.

Requires new bond, updated education proof (6-hour course every 4 years after first renewal, $60-100 course fee), and reapplication. Journal required for electronic/remote notarizations.

Required if LLC uses trade name/DBA. Renew every 5 years ($15). Applies to all businesses using assumed names (KRS 365.015).

Not uniform statewide; notary services may qualify as professional service subject to gross receipts tax. Check specific county clerk. State-level no general business license.

Sales tax applies only to taxable items sold by the business. Notary services are exempt from Kentucky sales tax per KRS 139.525. Register via the Kentucky Online Gateway (KOG): https://kog.ky.gov

Required for all employers in Kentucky. Registration includes obligation to withhold Kentucky income tax from employee wages. Register via KOG: https://kog.ky.gov

All employers with at least one employee must register. New employer rate is 2.7% on first $10,500 of each employee’s annual wages. Rate adjusts based on claims history. Register at: https://kyunemployment.ky.gov

Applies to all LLCs doing business in Kentucky, regardless of revenue or activity level. Must file Form 720, Kentucky Limited Liability Entity Tax Return. Not a gross receipts tax; based on capital structure. First return due the year after formation.

Kentucky allows local jurisdictions to impose business license taxes. Not all cities require this. Examples: Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government requires a Business Tax Registration; Louisville Metro has a similar requirement. Check with city/county clerk. No statewide database; local compliance required.

Single-member LLCs with no employees may use owner’s SSN, but EIN is required for banking and formal business operations. Apply online at: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

Employers must file Form 941 (Kentucky Withholding Tax Return) monthly or quarterly. Filing frequency determined by DOR based on annual liability. All returns and payments must be filed electronically via KOG.

All LLCs in Kentucky must file Form 720 annually, even if no activity or income. Failure to file may result in administrative dissolution. Payment due with return.

LLC does not pay federal income tax directly. Single-member LLCs report income on Schedule C of owner’s 1040. Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065 (informational return). Notary income is self-employment income subject to SE tax (Schedule SE).

Applies to net earnings from self-employment (Schedule C). Paid via Form 1040-ES. Notary income is subject to self-employment tax. Estimated payments required if tax liability exceeds $1,000.

Required for all businesses; notary services classified under professional services

Applies to all occupations including notaries; separate from city requirements

Must comply with zoning code Chapter 111; no client visits allowed for professional services

The FTC requires that all advertising be truthful, not misleading, and substantiated. Notaries must avoid deceptive claims (e.g., implying affiliation with government beyond being commissioned). This applies to websites, social media, and printed materials. While not specific to notaries, it applies to all businesses engaging in commerce.

Notary public services do not involve the use or disposal of hazardous materials, emissions, or regulated waste. Therefore, EPA regulations (e.g., under RCRA, CERCLA, or Clean Air/Water Acts) do not apply to typical notary operations. This requirement is not applicable unless the business expands into non-traditional activities.

There is no federal license required to become a notary public in the United States. Notary commissions are issued at the state level (in Kentucky, by the Secretary of State). This is a state-level requirement, not federal. No federal agencies (e.g., FDA, ATF, FCC, DOT) regulate notary public services.

If the notary LLC pays $600 or more to an independent contractor for services, it must issue Form 1099-NEC by January 31. This applies to payments for services, not rent or employee wages. Failure to file can result in significant penalties.

All Kentucky LLCs must file an annual report with the Secretary of State. The report is due each year during the anniversary month of the LLC's formation. Failure to file may lead to administrative dissolution.

Kentucky notaries are commissioned for a 5-year term. The renewal must be submitted before the current commission expires. A new oath of office and filing with the county clerk are required upon renewal. This applies to individuals, even if operating under an LLC.

After being commissioned, a notary must file their oath of office and certificate of commission with the county clerk in the county where they reside. This must be repeated upon each renewal. This is a one-time filing per commission term, not annual, but required for each renewal cycle.

A $1,000 surety bond is required for most notaries unless exempt (e.g., public officials). The bond is valid for the 5-year commission term. The LLC structure does not exempt the individual notary from this requirement.

The notary must keep their commission certificate available for public inspection upon request. While not required to be physically posted, it must be available at the location where notarial acts are performed.

Kentucky does not currently mandate a journal for traditional notarial acts, but it is strongly recommended. However, for remote online notarizations (RON), a journal is required by law. As of 2023, Kentucky allows RON under KRS 428.700–428.799.

Verify zoning district allows professional office/home occupation (per Zoning Ordinance 17.125)

Notary office typically doesn't trigger unless ADA modifications or expansions

Comply with Sign Code Chapter 111.05; home occupation signs limited to 4 sq ft

Required for public assembly or business occupancy per Fire Code

Required for monitored systems; annual renewal

Not required for continuing home office use

A $5,000 surety bond is required as part of the application process for a notary public commission in Kentucky. The bond protects the public from financial loss due to improper notarial acts. It is filed with the Secretary of State and remains in effect during the 4-year commission term. The notary or their employer typically pays the bond premium.

Kentucky law (KRS 342.600) mandates workers' compensation coverage for employers with one or more employees. Sole proprietors operating as an LLC with no employees are exempt. Coverage must be obtained through private insurers or the Kentucky Assigned Risk Pool.

General liability insurance is not mandated by Kentucky state law for notaries or LLCs. However, it is strongly recommended to protect against third-party claims of bodily injury or property damage. The Kentucky Notary Handbook does not list it as a legal requirement.

E&O insurance is not legally required for Kentucky notaries. However, it is highly recommended to protect against claims of negligence or mistakes in notarial acts. The Kentucky Secretary of State does not require it, but many notaries obtain coverage independently.

Kentucky law (KRS 304.20-020) requires all motor vehicles registered or operated in the state to have liability insurance. If the LLC owns a vehicle used for business (e.g., mobile notary services), commercial auto insurance is legally required. Personal auto policies may not cover business use.

Notaries in Kentucky do not typically sell physical products. Therefore, product liability insurance is not required. If a notary business were to sell tangible goods (e.g., stamps, journals), such coverage would be advisable but remains legally optional.

Liquor liability insurance is required for businesses holding an alcohol license in Kentucky. Notary services do not involve alcohol sales or service; this requirement does not apply unless the business operates a venue where alcohol is served.

All LLCs, including those with a single member, are required to obtain an EIN. Even if the notary operates as a single-member LLC with no employees, an EIN is still recommended and often required for business banking and compliance. Notaries functioning as sole proprietors without employees may use their SSN, but an LLC structure legally separates the owner and requires an EIN.

A multi-member LLC is taxed as a partnership and must file Form 1065; a single-member LLC taxed as a disregarded entity files Schedule C with personal return. An S-corp LLC files Form 1120-S. Due date is March 15 for calendar-year filers.

Kentucky does not impose a franchise tax on LLCs by default. However, if the LLC is taxed as a corporation, it may need to file Form 720 (Corporate Income/Franchise Tax Return). Most LLCs report income on owners’ personal returns.

Notaries operating as sole proprietors or single-member LLCs must pay estimated taxes quarterly if they expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal taxes. Multi-member LLCs may require partners to pay quarterly estimates.

Employers must display current federal and state labor law posters (e.g., minimum wage, OSHA, EEO). These must be visible to employees. Not required for owner-only notary LLCs without employees.

Kentucky requires LLCs to maintain records including articles of organization, operating agreements, financial statements, and records of ownership. These must be available to members and managers. Retention period is at least 3 years after dissolution.

Most notary services are not subject to sales tax in Kentucky. However, if the business sells physical goods (e.g., stamps, journals), it may need to collect and remit sales tax. Registration is required before making taxable sales.

Frequency of filing depends on the volume of taxable sales. Most small businesses file quarterly. Due date is the 20th day of the month following the reporting period.

A Kentucky LLC operating as a notary is taxed as a disregarded entity (single-member) or partnership (multi-member) by default. The LLC itself does not pay federal income tax, but profits pass through to the owner(s) who report on Form 1040 (Schedule C). Multi-member LLCs must file Form 1065. The business must file Form 1120-S if electing S-corporation status.

Notary public income is subject to self-employment tax. Owners must file Form 1040-ES and make quarterly estimated tax payments if they expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year.

All employers, including LLC notary businesses, must complete Form I-9 for each employee to verify identity and work authorization. Employers must retain Form I-9 for 3 years after hire or 1 year after employment ends, whichever is later. This does not apply to independent contractors.

If the notary LLC hires employees, it must comply with FLSA requirements, including minimum wage ($7.25/hour), overtime pay (1.5x regular rate for hours over 40/week), recordkeeping, and youth employment rules. Independent contractors are not covered.

FMLA requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical and family reasons. A notary LLC in Kentucky is unlikely to meet the 50-employee threshold unless part of a larger organization. Applies only if condition is met.

All employers with employees must comply with OSHA’s general duty clause and applicable standards. Most small notary offices with office-based work are low-risk and exempt from routine inspections, but must still provide a safe workplace. Employers must report fatalities within 8 hours and hospitalizations within 24 hours.

Notary services are considered a "place of public accommodation" under ADA Title III. Businesses must ensure physical access (if operating a physical office) and communication access (e.g., serving clients with disabilities). Websites may be subject to accessibility standards if used for service booking. Applies even to small businesses.