<P> A Notary Public: Special Commission is either a resident or non-resident of Kentucky who is commissioned to perform notorial acts either inside or outside the borders of the Commonwealth on documents that must be recorded in Kentucky . The main difference in the appointment process is that, unlike a Notary Public: State at Large, a Notary Public: Special Commission is not required to post bond before taking the oath / affirmation nor are they required to be a resident or employed in Kentucky . In addition, where a Notary Public: State at Large is commissioned directly by the Secretary of State, a Notary Public: Special Commission is appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Secretary of State . It is permitted to hold a commission as both a Notary Public: State at Large and a Notary Public: Special Commission, however separate applications and filing fees are required . </P> <P> A Kentucky Notary Public is not required to use a seal or stamp and a notarization with just the signature of the notary is considered to be valid . It is, however, recommended that a seal or stamp be used as they may be required on documents recorded or used in another state . If a seal or stamp is used, it is required to have the name of the notary as listed on their commission as well as their full title of office (Notary Public: State at Large or Notary Public: Special Commission). A notary journal is also recommended but not required (except in the case of recording protests, which must be recorded in a well - bound and indexed journal). </P> <P> Louisiana notaries public are commissioned by the Governor . They are the only notaries to be appointed for life . The Louisiana notary public is a civil law notary with broad powers, as authorized by law, usually reserved for the American style combination "barrister / solicitor" lawyers and other legally authorized practitioners in other states . A commissioned notary in Louisiana is a civil law notary that can perform / prepare many civil law notarial acts usually associated with attorneys and other legally authorized practitioners in other states, except represent another person or entity before a court of law for a fee (unless they are also admitted to the bar). Notaries are not allowed to give "legal" advice, but they are allowed to give "notarial" advice - i.e., explain or recommend what documents are needed or required to perform a certain act - and do all things necessary or incidental to the performance of their civil law notarial duties . They can prepare any document a civil law notary can prepare (to include inventories, appraisements, partitions, wills, protests, matrimonial contracts, conveyances, and, generally, all contracts and instruments in writing) and, if ordered or requested to by a judge, prepare certain notarial legal documents, in accordance with law, to be returned and filed with that court of law . </P> <P> Maine notaries public are appointed by the Secretary of State to serve a seven - year term . Maine is one of three states (Florida and South Carolina are the others) where a notary public can solemnize the rites of matrimony (perform a marriage ceremony). </P>

A notary public's term of appointment is for how many years