Notary Public Underwriters Blog
Notary Misdeeds That Can Send You to Jail in Kansas
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- Published: December 1, 2025
Although notaries in Kansas are trusted to perform honest, accurate, and lawful notarial acts, this trust carries legal responsibility. While most notaries do their best to follow the rules, even a minor misstep can lead to serious consequences.
In fact, some violations of Kansas notary law are classified as misdemeanors, which means criminal charges and even jail time are real possibilities.
Mistakes That Can Become Misdemeanors
If you’re a commissioned Kansas notary public, be aware of these violations that could result in criminal penalties:
- Using the phrases “notario” or “notario publico” or any equivalent non-English term in any business card, advertisement, notice or sign, when the notary is not also an attorney licensed to practice law in Kansas. This is considered a Class B nonperson misdemeanor.
- Advertising in any manner, or representing, that you may assist persons in drafting legal records, give legal advice, or otherwise practice law, if you are not also a licensed Kansas attorney. (Class B nonperson misdemeanor) Advertising in any manner, or representing, that the notary public may assist persons in drafting legal records, give legal advice, or otherwise practice law, if you are not also a licensed Kansas attorney. This is also a Class B nonperson misdemeanor.
- Willfully neglecting or refusing to include your commission expiration date on a notarial certificate may seem minor, but under Kansas law, it’s a Class C nonperson misdemeanor.
Why These Laws Exist in Kansas
These laws help prevent fraud, protect vulnerable populations, and maintain public trust in notaries. The use of misleading terms or incomplete notarial acts may seem harmless, but they undermine the integrity of the notary office—and Kansas takes that seriously.
Even Honest Mistakes Have Consequences
Mistakes may not always be intentional—but that doesn’t make them excusable under Kansas law. Something as simple as a word in an ad or a missing date on a notarial certificate can lead to trouble.
Stay informed. Follow best practices. And make it a habit to review Kansas’s notary laws and rules regularly—because even small oversights can carry big consequences.
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