Is Remote Online Notarization Legal in Kentucky? (2026)

Remote online notarization is legal in Kentucky under KRS 423.300–423.455, the state’s RULONA adoption. Fees follow the Kentucky fee schedule under KRS Chapter 64, with platform costs disclosed separately. Notaries must register for RON authority through the Secretary of State.

Is remote online notarization legal in Kentucky? Yes — Kentucky authorizes remote online notarization under KRS 423.300 through 423.455, the state’s adoption of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA). Kentucky’s RON fees follow the general notarial fee schedule under KRS Chapter 64, with platform costs disclosed separately. Notaries must register for RON authority with the Secretary of State.

Kentucky’s RULONA Adoption: A Uniform Framework

Kentucky adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) through KRS 423.300–423.455, bringing the state into alignment with the growing number of states using this nationally consistent framework. RULONA’s structure provides well-established provisions for electronic and remote notarial acts, interstate recognition of notarizations, and technical standards — giving notaries and businesses operating across state lines a familiar legal foundation to work from.

The RULONA framework in Kentucky covers all standard notarial acts for remotely located individuals: acknowledgments, oaths and affirmations, jurats, signature witnessing, and copy certifications. Identity verification must meet RULONA standards — credential analysis plus knowledge-based authentication, personal knowledge, or a credible witness. Real-time two-way audio-video communication, electronic journal maintenance, and session recording retention complete the core requirements.

Fee Structure Under KRS Chapter 64

Kentucky’s RON fees are governed by the general notarial fee schedule established in KRS Chapter 64. This schedule sets the maximum per-act fees that Kentucky notaries may charge for all notarial acts, including remote ones. Platform and technology costs may be charged separately, provided they are disclosed to the signer in advance of the session.

Kentucky notaries should confirm the current fee schedule under KRS Chapter 64 — the schedule may be adjusted through the legislative process over time. Pricing RON services in Kentucky requires understanding both the statutory fee cap and the platform cost structure to build a transparent, compliant pricing model for clients.

Louisville’s Financial and Healthcare Economy

Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city and economic center. The city hosts Humana (one of the country’s largest health insurance companies), Brown-Forman, Kindred Healthcare, and a significant banking and financial services sector. This concentration of major corporate employers generates consistent demand for notarized corporate governance, benefits, insurance, and financial documents — a natural market for RON services with corporate and institutional clients.

Louisville’s healthcare sector — anchored by the University of Louisville Health System and a network of regional providers — creates demand for healthcare directives, medical power of attorney, and related estate planning documents. RON provides Louisville’s senior population with convenient, at-home access to these important planning instruments.

Kentucky’s Bourbon, Equine, and Agricultural Sectors

Kentucky’s distinctive economic heritage — bourbon distilling, thoroughbred horse breeding and racing, and tobacco farming — generates unique notarization demand. Horse farm purchase agreements, breeding rights contracts, and equine partnership documents are notarized in substantial numbers in the Bluegrass region. Distillery agreements, licensing documents, and distribution contracts are part of the bourbon industry’s legal infrastructure. RON enables remote execution of these often high-value documents without requiring parties to travel to Lexington or Louisville for signing.

Getting Started in Kentucky

For Kentucky notaries pursuing RON authorization under KRS 423.300–423.455 — including SOS registration, fee schedule compliance, platform selection, and step-by-step guidance — see the Kentucky RON notary how-to guide.