How to Become a Notary Public in Arkansas
Arkansas does not require an exam to become a notary public. The application process is handled through the Arkansas Secretary of State using their online Notary Management System. Arkansas offers one of the longest commission terms in the nation at 10 years.
Arkansas Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Residency | Arkansas resident or work in Arkansas |
| Exam Required | No |
| Education Required | No |
| Surety Bond | $7,500 |
| Commission Term | 10 years |
| Application Fee | $20 |
Why Become an Arkansas Notary?
- No exam required - Straightforward application process
- 10-year commission - Longest term in the nation
- Low costs - Affordable bond and fees
- No set fee limits - Notaries set reasonable rates
- eNotary available - Perform Remote Online Notarization (RON)
- Military spouse friendly - Can apply even if not a resident
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Step-by-Step: How to Become an Arkansas Notary
Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements
To become an Arkansas notary public, you must:
- Be a United States citizen or permanent resident
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be an Arkansas resident OR regularly work in Arkansas
- Be able to read and write English
- Have no felony convictions in the past 10 years
- Have no revoked notary commissions in the past 10 years
- Military spouses stationed in Arkansas may also qualify
Step 2: Obtain Your Surety Bond
Before applying, obtain a $7,500 surety bond:
- Bond Amount: $7,500
- Bond Term: 10 years (matches commission term)
- Typical Cost: $35-$55 for the 10-year term (excellent value!)
- Provider: Must be from an approved surety company
The bond protects the public from potential errors or misconduct during notarial acts.
Step 3: Create Account and Apply Online
Apply through the Arkansas Secretary of State Notary Management System:
- Create an account on the Notary Management System
- Complete the online application
- Pay the $20 application fee
- Upload your surety bond
- Print and notarize your application
- Submit the notarized application and bond to the Secretary of State
Submit to: Arkansas Secretary of State Business & Commercial Services Division 1401 W. Capitol Avenue, Suite 250 Little Rock, AR 72201
Step 4: Receive Your Commission
Once approved:
- You'll receive two oath of commission certificates
- Take both to your county Recorder of Deeds
- Sign the oaths
- Pay the county filing fee (typically $15 for first page, $5 for additional pages)
Step 5: Purchase Notary Supplies
After receiving your commission, purchase required supplies:
Official Notary Seal (Required):
- Rubber stamp OR metal embosser
- Must be clear, legible, and reproducible
- Blue or black ink only
- Must include: Your name, county where bond is filed, "Notary Public," "Arkansas," commission expiration date, and commission number
- Cannot include the Great Seal of Arkansas or state outline
- Cost: $25-$50
Notary Journal (Recommended):
- Not legally required for paper notarizations
- Required for electronic notarial acts
- Strongly recommended for record-keeping and legal protection
- Cost: $15-$30
Arkansas Notary Fees
Arkansas does not set maximum notary fees by state law.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum fee per act | No state limit |
| Fee requirement | Must be reasonable |
| Fee disclosure | Required before notarization |
| Fee agreement | Both parties must agree |
Important Guidelines:
- Fees must be reasonable
- Fees must be disclosed to and agreed upon by the client before the notarial act
- You are not required to charge for your services
Arkansas-Specific Requirements
Seal Requirements
Your Arkansas notary seal must include:
- Your name exactly as you sign your official signature
- The county where your bond is filed
- The words "Notary Public" and "Arkansas"
- Your commission expiration date
- Your commission number issued by the Secretary of State
Ink Color: Blue or black only
Prohibited: The Great Seal of Arkansas or an outline of the state
New Seal Required: If your name or county changes, you must get a new seal (destroy the old one).
Journal Requirements
For Paper Notarizations:
- A journal is not required by law
- However, it is highly recommended by the Secretary of State
- A journal helps you recall past notarial acts if you need to testify in court
For Electronic Notarizations:
- An electronic recordbook/journal is required
Certificate Requirements
Every notarial certificate must include:
- Your official seal impression (blue or black ink)
- Your signature
- Your commission expiration date (on seal)
- Your commission number (on seal)
Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Arkansas
Arkansas permanently authorized RON on April 29, 2021 (SB 340, Act 1047).
Becoming an Arkansas eNotary
To perform RON in Arkansas:
- Be an Arkansas notary in good standing
- File an amendment for "eNotary initial application" ($25 fee: $20 application + $5 convenience)
- Complete mandatory eNotary training and exam ($30 fee)
- Pass the exam - Course and exam are online, self-paced
- Complete refresher training every 2 years
No additional bond required for RON in Arkansas.
RON Technology Requirements
- Must use an SOS-approved RON solution provider (listed on Secretary of State website)
- Examples include DocVerify, Pavaso, SIGNiX
- Cannot use FaceTime, Zoom, or other general video conferencing
RON Location Requirements
- Notary must be in Arkansas when performing RON
- Signer can be anywhere - in the US or internationally
RON Record Retention
- Recording of the remote notarial act must be retained by the solution provider for 5 years
- Fraud is classified as a Class D felony
Total Cost to Become an Arkansas Notary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Surety Bond (10 years) | $35-$55 |
| Application Fee | $20 |
| County Filing Fee | $15-$25 |
| Notary Seal | $25-$50 |
| Journal (optional) | $15-$30 |
| Total Estimated | $110-$180 |
For eNotary (additional):
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| eNotary Amendment Fee | $25 |
| eNotary Training/Exam | $30 |
| eNotary Total | $55 |
Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Obtain bond | Same day (online) |
| Complete application | 1 day |
| Processing time | 1-2 weeks |
| File at county | 1 day |
| Total | 2-3 weeks |
Renewing Your Arkansas Commission
Arkansas notary commissions are valid for 10 years - the longest in the nation!
Important: There is no formal renewal process:
- You must reapply for a new commission before expiration
- Applications can be submitted up to 60 days before expiration
- Need to purchase a new bond and pay the $20 application fee
- Need a new seal with updated expiration date
Start Your Arkansas Notary Career Today
Arkansas offers an excellent opportunity to become a notary public with no exam, no mandatory education, and a 10-year commission term. The low costs and long commission make it one of the most accessible states to become a notary.