What statute governs Kentucky acknowledgment forms?

KRS 423.160 sets the short forms of acknowledgment, within Kentucky's version of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts in KRS Chapter 423.

Does a Kentucky notary need a stamp?

No. A seal is not required by law. A Kentucky notarization is valid with the signature, title, notary ID number, and commission expiration date.

Does the signer sign in front of the Kentucky notary?

Not for an acknowledgment. The document may be pre-signed, but the signer must appear before the notary and prove identity to acknowledge it.

How long is a Kentucky notary commission?

Four years, commissioned by the Secretary of State, with a statewide jurisdiction and a notary identification number assigned to each notary.

Kentucky Notary Acknowledgment: Free Fillable Form & 2026 Wording

This content is educational and informational, not legal advice. The wording reflects Kentucky Revised Statutes 423.160 under Kentucky's version of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, but the law can change. Confirm the current form with the Kentucky Secretary of State before relying on it.

Quick answer: A Kentucky acknowledgment certifies that a named person appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing a document. The short form in KRS 423.160 reads "The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this (date) by (name)." The venue names the state and county. Kentucky is unusual: a seal is not required by law, but a notary must first file with the county clerk. Fill the certificate below.

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Fillable Kentucky acknowledgment certificate

Enter the details and the certificate updates live with the statutory Kentucky wording. Copy the text or print it, then attach it to your document. The notary completes and signs the final certificate after verifying identity; this tool just prepares the correct form.

What is the exact Kentucky acknowledgment wording?

Kentucky's individual acknowledgment short form under KRS 423.160 uses the traditional "foregoing instrument" language, with the venue naming the state and county.

State of Kentucky
County of ______

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ______ (date) by ______ (name of person).

___________________________________
Signature of Notary Public

Title or rank Notary ID number: ______
My commission expires: ______

Does a Kentucky notary need a seal?

No, a Kentucky notary is not required by law to use a seal or stamp, which makes the state unusual. A Kentucky notarization is valid with the notary's signature, title, notary identification number, and commission expiration. Many notaries still use a stamp because documents recorded out of state, or with some agencies, are expected to carry one, and its absence can cause an out-of-state recorder to question the act. Within Kentucky, though, the signature and required details are enough.

What must a Kentucky acknowledgment include?

A Kentucky acknowledgment must include the state and county venue, the date, the signer's name, and the notary's signature, title, notary identification number, and commission expiration. The notary determines identity from personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence and may not sign the certificate until the act is performed. Kentucky's notary identification number, assigned by the Secretary of State, is part of what identifies the notary on the certificate in place of a mandatory seal.

Element	What goes there
Venue	State of Kentucky and the county
Date	The date the instrument was acknowledged
Signer	Name of the person acknowledging
Notary	Signature, title, notary ID number, commission expiration

Who commissions notaries in Kentucky?

The Secretary of State commissions Kentucky notaries, but a notary cannot act until they file their commission and oath of office with the county clerk in their county of residence. This county clerk filing is a Kentucky-specific step that catches new notaries who assume the state commission alone is enough. The term is four years, the jurisdiction is statewide, and the notary receives a notary identification number. Kentucky adopted its version of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts effective January 1, 2020.

When do you use an acknowledgment instead of a jurat in Kentucky?

You use an acknowledgment when the signer confirms they signed a document willingly, and a jurat when they swear the statement is true. For an acknowledgment, Kentucky lets the document be pre-signed; the signer appears, is identified, and acknowledges the signature. A jurat requires signing before the notary and an oath. Kentucky records acknowledgments and jurats differently for real property, so deeds and mortgages should use the acknowledgment the recorder expects.

Kentucky acknowledgment: frequently asked questions

What statute governs Kentucky acknowledgment forms?: KRS 423.160 sets the short forms of acknowledgment, within Kentucky's version of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts in KRS Chapter 423.
Does a Kentucky notary need a stamp?: No. A seal is not required by law. A Kentucky notarization is valid with the signature, title, notary ID number, and commission expiration date.
Do Kentucky notaries file with the county clerk?: Yes. A notary must file their commission and oath of office with the county clerk in their county of residence before performing any notarial act.
Does the signer sign in front of the Kentucky notary?: Not for an acknowledgment. The document may be pre-signed, but the signer must appear before the notary and prove identity to acknowledge it.
How long is a Kentucky notary commission?: Four years, commissioned by the Secretary of State, with a statewide jurisdiction and a notary identification number assigned to each notary.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Kentucky Revised Statutes 423.130, 423.160 and 423.400 (KRS Chapter 423); the Kentucky Secretary of State notary resources. Confirm current wording before relying on it.