Can a person who is a convicted felon with a suspended sentence become a notary public... Missouri & Kansas

Based up the information below, it would appear that a person convicted of a felony cannot become a notary in Kansa, but can become one in Missouri. I checked out some other states also. The eligibility requirements sure do differ depending on which state it is.


From the following site: National Notary Association - Become a Notary You pick the state about which you want to inquire in the upper right-hand corner.

Eligibility in Kansas
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Minimum Age: 18 years of age
Minimum Residency: Not Required
Other Requirements: Must read, write English; no felony conviction or loss of professional license; commuting non-resident may apply

From the same site:

Eligibility in Missouri
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Minimum Age: 18 years of age
Minimum Residency: Not Required
Exam: N/A
Other Requirements: Must read, write English; must be a registered voter of the county in which commissioned or U.S. resident alien. Must complete a computer-based or other Notary Training Course approved by the Secretary of State. Any attorney licensed to practice in Missouri is also a Notary Public.

However, Clough. Many felons are not able to even able to register to vote. So this may not work in Missouri. Therefore if a felon is not able to register to vote, they cannot be a Notary in Missouri either, unless of course Missouri is one of the states that allows felons to register to vote.

First I guess does it really matter? You barely make enough money to pay for your required errors and ommissoins coverage and the cost of your stamp. Normally you would be a notorary if you worked in an office where it was needed, real estate, bank insurance and the such.

You are right on the money Chuck, sorry that was a little tongue in cheek.

But as a Notary myself for many years, one does not make a living being only a notary as notaries are found almost everywhere these days and your coverage, as Chuck states, costs more than you will make.

Yes, I did not even keep mine up any longer, for example if you want something notorised, here you go to your bank where you have your account and they do it free, Even the real estate offices will do it free for you. ( want you to come in and talk, expect to leave with a flyer on homes for sale)

Here in TN and I guess other states, what little you can change is set by the state,

Now the only thing they can do is take statements for court, but most attorneys all have their owns in their offices that they use.

I'm with you. When I left my company and my state, moved here to TN I did not re-up my notary. For the examples you set forth above it was not even worth the trouble.

For someone to be able to put on a resume that they are a Notary Public, even if they don't make much money, if any money at all, can be a plus for them when they go for a job when they are trying to get their "feet back on the ground" so to speak, and are trying to re-enter society as a productive citizen again.

Sure, there are costs that are incurred by becoming one. But, if the person can afford it, becoming a Notary Public is one of the ways that a person that has been convicted of a felony can show others that they are really trying to not be remembered for possibly the worst thing that they ever did and are trying their best to integrate themselves back into society as a law-abiding, beneficial-to-others citizen.

From: Registering and Voting

I was convicted of a felony, but I have served my time and am on probation. Can I register to vote?

No. A convicted felon may not register to vote unless unconditionally discharged from custody. When you are no longer on probation and have received a copy of your discharge papers you will be allowed to register.

From: Missouri Voter Registration Info, Forms, & Requirements - DMV.ORG

Voter Eligibility
In order to vote in Missouri, you must:

Be a U.S. citizen
Be a Missouri resident
Be at least 18 years old by the day of the election
You must also be registered in the jurisdiction of your domicile before the election. You cannot vote if you:

Have been declared incapacitated
Are imprisoned
Were convicted of a felony or misdemeanor related to voting
Are on probation or parole after a felony conviction

Clough, we were in no way trying to say you were wrong. However, being a Notary myself, I do know some of the ins and outs that are only taught during the course one must take prior to getting their "stamp" of approval.

As for the voting, this is a state by state issue, many states you will not be able to vote if you are a convited felon, ( some of these states allows the felon to go back to court and get the judge to allow it)
So while Missouri may allow it at some point, many do

And if they want to be one that is great,