KS - Notary Notary Qualifications and Application Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a mandatory qualification for an individual seeking to become a Notary Public in Kansas?
- Be a resident of Kansas for at least one year.
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Be a legal resident of Kansas or a resident of a bordering state who is regularly employed in Kansas. (Correct answer)
- Hold a valid Kansas driver's license.
Correct answer: Be a legal resident of Kansas or a resident of a bordering state who is regularly employed in Kansas.
Kansas law requires a notary applicant to be a legal resident of Kansas OR a resident of a bordering state (Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, or Oklahoma) who regularly carries on a business or profession in Kansas or is regularly employed in the state. The minimum age is 18, not 21, and there are no specific durational residency or driver's license requirements mentioned in the statutes.
Question 2: A first-time notary applicant in Kansas is preparing their application packet for the Secretary of State. What is the required surety bond amount they must obtain?
- $5,000
- $7,500
- $10,000
- $12,000 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: $12,000
Effective January 1, 2022, Kansas law requires all new and renewing notary applicants to secure a $12,000 surety bond for their four-year commission term. This bond protects the public from financial harm due to notarial errors or misconduct.
Question 3: An individual was convicted of a felony five years ago. They have since completed their sentence and wish to apply for a notary commission in Kansas. How does their past conviction affect their eligibility?
- They are eligible to apply immediately.
- They are permanently disqualified from becoming a notary. (Correct answer)
- They can apply after a 10-year waiting period from the conviction date.
- They must obtain a special waiver from the district court.
Correct answer: They are permanently disqualified from becoming a notary.
According to Kansas statutes, a conviction of any felony is a disqualifying factor for a notary public commission. The law does not provide for a waiting period or waiver process for felony convictions, making the individual permanently ineligible.
Question 4: Before submitting their application to the Kansas Secretary of State, an applicant must complete several steps. Which of the following is a required action during the application process?
- Complete a 6-hour state-approved training course.
- Pass a state-administered notary examination.
- Take an oath of office before another commissioned notary public. (Correct answer)
- Submit two character references from Kansas residents.
Correct answer: Take an oath of office before another commissioned notary public.
The Kansas notary application form includes an oath of office. The applicant must sign this oath in the presence of a currently commissioned notary, who will then notarize the applicant's signature. While training is required for remote online notarization, it is not required for a traditional commission, and there is no general state exam or requirement for character references.
Question 5: A Missouri resident works a full-time job at an office in Overland Park, Kansas. They are 19 years old, a U.S. citizen, and can read and write English. Are they eligible to apply for a Kansas notary commission?
- No, because they are not a legal resident of Kansas.
- No, because the minimum age is 21.
- Yes, because they meet the age, citizenship, and border state employment requirements. (Correct answer)
- Yes, but they can only perform notarial acts for their employer.
Correct answer: Yes, because they meet the age, citizenship, and border state employment requirements.
Kansas law allows residents of bordering states to become Kansas notaries if they are regularly employed or conduct business in Kansas. Since the individual works full-time in Kansas and meets the other qualifications (over 18, U.S. citizen, proficient in English), they are eligible to apply. Once commissioned, their authority is not limited to their place of employment.
Question 6: What is the standard term of a notary public commission in Kansas?
- Two years
- Four years (Correct answer)
- Five years
- Ten years
Correct answer: Four years
A Kansas notary public commission is valid for a term of four years, after which the notary must complete the renewal process to continue performing notarial acts.
KS - Notary Notary Qualifications and Application Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a mandatory qualification for an individual seeking to become a Notary Public in Kansas?