How to Notarize a Caregiver Affidavit in Kentucky

You've filled out the caregiver authorization affidavit for a child in your care. Now it needs to be notarized before any school or doctor will accept it. Kentucky law requires that the affidavit be signed under penalty of perjury and acknowledged before a commissioned notary public. Here's how to get that done.

Where to Get Notarization in Kentucky

County clerk offices are a common place to ask about notary services across Kentucky's 120 counties, but availability varies, so call ahead. A notary must disclose any fee in advance, and county clerks may assess fees for notary-related services. Kentucky does not set a general $2-per-signature cap for notarizing this affidavit.

Banks and credit unions often provide free notary services to account holders. If you have a checking or savings account, call ahead and ask if their notary is available.

UPS Store, FedEx Office, and shipping centers offer notary services, usually for $5 to $15 per document. They don't require an appointment in most locations.

Mobile notaries will come to your home, which can be valuable if you're caring for small children and can't easily get to an office. Expect to pay $25 to $75 for the house call plus the per-signature fee. Search for mobile notaries in your county or ask your local legal aid office for referrals.

What to Bring

• Your completed affidavit — filled in but not yet signed. You'll sign it in front of the notary.
• Your current government-issued photo ID — a Kentucky driver's license or state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID. If you do not have a current ID, call the notary about accepted alternatives.
• ID for each parent, de facto custodian, guardian, or legal custodian who will sign. If a required signer is unavailable, include the statement explaining the circumstances and your efforts to locate them.

Do not sign the affidavit before you arrive. The notary must witness your signature. An affidavit signed beforehand and then brought in for notarization is technically defective.

If the Parent Is Signing Too

When a parent, de facto custodian, guardian, or legal custodian identified in the affidavit is available and willing to approve the authority, that person's dated signature is required. Signatures can be notarized at the same appointment or separately if a signer is in a different location. Each signer should bring their own government-issued photo ID.

If the parent is incarcerated, contact the facility's administrative office to ask whether it can arrange for the parent to sign and have the signature notarized inside the institution.

Common Mistakes That Cause Rejection

• Signing before the notary appointment — the notary must watch you sign
• Relying on an expired ID — it does not meet Kentucky's standard ID credential rule; ask the notary whether personal knowledge or a credible witness can establish your identity
• Leaving required fields blank — every field specified in KRS 405.024(2) must be completed
• Missing the unavailability statement — if the parent isn't signing, you must include a detailed explanation of why and what efforts you made to find them

How Long Does It Take?

The notarization itself takes a few minutes. The longer part is making sure your affidavit is complete and correct before you go. Once notarized, the affidavit is valid for one year.

Our Kentucky school and medical consent guide includes a pre-notarization checklist that walks you through every field on the affidavit so nothing gets missed at the appointment.

See more Kentucky guides →