Kentucky UPL Statute Summary

Kentucky Revised Statutes §524.130, Unauthorized practice of law.

  1. Except as provided in KRS 341.470 and subsection (2) of this section, a person is guilty of unlawful practice of law when, without a license issued by the Supreme Court, he engages in the practice of law, as defined by rule of the Supreme Court.
  2. A licensed nonresident attorney in good standing, although not licensed in Kentucky, is not guilty of unlawful practice if, in accordance with rules adopted by the Supreme Court, he practices law under specific authorization of a court.
  3. Unlawful practice of law is a Class B misdemeanor.

Enforcement Mechanisms/Complaint Processes for UPIL

Victims may file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit under the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act. The complaint form can be accessed here. The website can be accessed here.

One may also file a complaint with the Kentucky State Bar Association. A complaint form may be accessed here. By Supreme Court Rule, all complaints against lawyers must be made in writing and must be notarized.  No complaints can be accepted by e-mail, fax or telephone. Although it is not required that a complaint be on the KBA form, there is a form available.

Reporting Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

Ineffective assistance of counsel information can be found here.

Contact Information for Relevant Agencies

Secretary of State:

Mailing address
Notary Branch
P.O. Box 821
Frankfort, KY 40602-0821
Physical address
700 Capital Ave.
Suite 156
Frankfort, KY 40610
Tel: (502) 564-3490
Fax: (502) 564-5687

Attorney General:

Office of Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 200
Frankfort, KY 40601
Tel: (502) 696-5389
Fax: (502) 564-2894
Hotline: (888) 432-9257

Kentucky Bar Association:

Office of Bar Counsel
514 West Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601-1812
Tel: (502) 564-3765

Becoming a Notary Public

Before submitting an application for a new notary commission be sure you meet the following qualifications:

  • Be 18 years of age
  • Be a resident of or principally employed in the county from which he/she makes application
  • Be of good moral character and capable of discharging the duties imposed upon him/her by law.

To apply for a Kentucky Notary Public State at Large appointment or reappointment, download the form and return it with a $10.00 fee made payable to Kentucky State Treasurer to:

Notary Commissions
P.O. Box 821
Frankfort, KY 40602-0821

You can also submit the form online. For more information, you can refer to the Notary Public Handbook. The Secretary of State also has an online tool to search current notary commissions, accessible here.