Commission, Appointment, and Administration
What the domain covers
Commission, Appointment, and Administration tests the lifecycle of a Kansas notary commission: eligibility, application, bond and oath, term, stamp, renewal, and oversight by the Secretary of State.
Core rules
- Appointment and term. The Kansas Secretary of State commissions notaries. A commission runs for a fixed term-four years-and is not automatic. You must apply and be approved.
- Eligibility. Applicants must be at least 18, of good moral character, and meet Kansas residency or place-of-business requirements. A criminal history or prior revocation can disqualify you.
- Bond and oath. Kansas requires a surety bond and an oath of office before you act. Follow the Secretary of State's instructions for filing; an unfiled bond or unsigned oath means you are not ready to notarize.
- Official stamp. Obtain the required stamp after commissioning. Use it only for lawful notarial acts. When your commission ends, stop using it and dispose of it so it cannot be misused.
- Renewal and changes. Apply to renew before expiration. Report a legal name change or address change as directed, and do not notarize under an old name after a name change.
- Oversight. The Secretary of State may investigate complaints and suspend or revoke a commission. Violations can also create civil liability and criminal penalties.
Worked example
Your commission expires June 30. On July 1 a client asks you to notarize a document dated June 30. You cannot backdate the certificate or perform the act on July 1. Your commission has lapsed. You must decline, renew or obtain a new commission, and then notarize with the actual date. Signing “June 30” would be a false certificate and could invalidate the document.
Traps that cost marks
Assuming a commission renews automatically is wrong. Using a stamp after expiration, after a name change, or after revocation is prohibited. Do not notarize before your bond and oath are properly filed. Do not claim the Secretary of State “approves” documents-the office commissions notaries, not the documents they notarize.