Notary Requirements for Arkansas: 2025 Updated

This guide provides comprehensive information on becoming and renewing as a notary public in Arkansas as of May 2025. It covers eligibility, the application process, renewals, required tools, remote notarization rules, and answers common questions.

• Eligibility Requirements
• Application Process for New Notary Commission
• Surety Bond Requirements
• Notary Seal and Journal Requirements
• Oath of Office and Recording the Commission
• Commission Term and Expiration
• Commission Renewal Process
• Remote Online Notarization (RON)
• Official Resources
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for an Arkansas notary commission, you must:

• Age and Residency/Employment: Be at least 18 years old AND be a legal resident of Arkansas OR live in a bordering state and work/operate a business in Arkansas. (Nonresident spouses of U.S. military members stationed/employed in AR are also eligible).

• Citizenship/Legal Status: Be a U.S. citizen OR a permanent resident alien (must file recorded Declaration of Domicile with application).

• Language: Be able to read and write English.

• Criminal History/Prior Commission: Not have a felony conviction AND not have had an Arkansas notary commission revoked in the past ten years.

• Understanding Laws: Affirm understanding of Arkansas notary law and duties.

Get a notary stamp that meets Arkansas’ official requirements, available in multiple formats and shipped within one business day.

Order Arkansas Notary Stamp

Application Process for New Notary Commission

Primarily online via Arkansas SOS Business & Commercial Services portal.

1. Obtain a $7,500 Surety Bond: Purchase from an authorized surety insurer or registered Arkansas business. Name on the bond must exactly match the desired official seal name.

2. Create Online Notary Account: At bcs.sos.arkansas.gov. (New account needed if created before 1/25/2024).

3. Complete Notary Exam: Free, online via SOS portal. 80% or higher score required. Study Notary Public Handbook and FAQs beforehand.

4. Complete Online Application: Fill out a form with personal information. Sign electronically (matching bond name). Upload copy of surety bond and exam certificate. List residential address (and AR business address if non-resident).

5. Submit Payment: Pay $20 application fee online (plus convenience fee) via credit/debit card.

6. Receive Oath of Commission Certificates: After SOS approval, two (2) Oath of Commission Certificates will be mailed or available in portal. Verify name and county.

   • Important: Further steps (county filing) required before notarizing.

Surety Bond Requirements

A $7,500 notary bond is mandatory.

• Purpose: Guarantees faithful performance; protects the public.

• Provider: Any company authorized for surety bonds in AR or registered AR business.

• Name: List name on bond exactly as for official seal.

• Renewal: New $7,500 bond required for 10-year renewal.

Notary Seal and Journal Requirements

Official Seal: Mandatory. Either a rubber stamp or metal embosser.

• Ink: Blue or black.

• Content:

  1. Official name (exactly as on commission).

  2. County of commission (where bond filed).

  3. “Notary Public” and “Arkansas.”

  4. Commission expiration date.

  5. Commission number.

• Prohibitions: Cannot include AR state seal or outline of Arkansas.

• Format: Clear, legible, reproducible. If an embosser used, ink it.

• Obtaining: Purchase from vendor after commission issued. New seal if name/county changes (destroy old).

Journal (Notary Register): Not Required by Law (but recommended). Arkansas does not legally require a journal, but it is strongly recommended by SOS.

• Recommendation: Provides official record, invaluable if notarization questioned. If kept, log: date, act type, document type, signer name/address/signature, ID method, fee, notes. Keep secure.

Oath of Office and Recording the Commission

After SOS approval and receiving Oath of Commission Certificates:

1. Sign and File with County: Take both Oath certificates and original notary bond to the county recorder of deeds (usually circuit clerk) in your commission county.

   • Sign each oath certificate before the clerk, swear oath. Clerk signs.

   • Clerk files one Oath certificate and original bond (local filing fee applies).

2. File with Secretary of State: Send one completed, file-marked Oath of Commission Certificate to AR SOS (mail or in person). Commission not valid until filed with county AND SOS. (Many counties forward to SOS, but verify).

3. Receive Certificate of Commission: After SOS processes filed oath, official AR Notary Public Commission certificate issued.

4. Purchase Seal & Begin Notarizing: After receiving commission certificate, purchase seal. Sign notarizations in blue/black ink, affix seal.

Commission Term and Expiration

Term: Ten (10) years. Expiration: Date on commission certificate. Jurisdiction statewide within AR. Cannot notarize outside AR.

Commission Renewal Process

Online via SOS portal.

1. Timing: Within 60 days before expiration.

2. Application (Amendment): Log into notary account, file amendment to renew.

3. Exam and Bond: Retake notary exam (80%+). Obtain new $7,500 surety bond. Upload bond/exam cert.

4. Fee: Pay $20 fee (+ convenience fee).

5. Name/Address Changes:

   • Name: Within 30 days, mail Notary Change form, certified legal document. SOS issues updated commission. New seal needed.

   • Address (same county): Amend online.

   • Address (new AR county): Transfer commission via new county circuit clerk. New seal needed.

6. Finalizing: SOS approves, new Oath of Commission Certificates issued. File/return one as before. Receive new Commission certificate. Obtain a new seal with updated 10-year expiration.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Arkansas

Legal under Act 1047 of 2021.

• eNotary Commission: Must be an AR notary. Obtain A eNotary commission via amendment ($25 fee). Mandatory eNotary training/exam required.

• Approved Technology: Use SOS-approved RON solution provider (listed on SOS site, e.g., DocVerify, Pavaso, SIGNiX). Notary must be physically in Arkansas. Signers can be anywhere in the U.S. or internationally.

• Record Retention: RON sessions recorded; recordings retained by provider for at least five years.

• Fraud: Misuse of RON is a Class D felony.

• Process: After eNotary commission, use an approved platform (no additional RON-specific registration beyond eNotary).

Official Resources

• Arkansas SOS – Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (2025): Official guide.

• Arkansas SOS – Notary Public (Business & Commercial Services): sos.arkansas.gov (applications, info).

• Arkansas SOS – eNotary and RON Information.

• Arkansas SOS – Notary Public FAQs (PDF).

• Arkansas Code – Title 21, Chapter 6 (Notaries Public).

• Arkansas SOS – Notary Commission Search & Application Portal: (bcs.sos.arkansas.gov).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Who is eligible to become an Arkansas notary public?

A: ≥18, AR resident (or bordering state + AR employment), U.S. citizen/permanent resident (Declaration of Domicile for LPRs), read/write English, no felony, no AR notary revocation (10 yrs).

Q: How long is an Arkansas notary commission valid?

A: Ten (10) years from date of oath filed.

Q: Where may I perform notarial acts?

A: Anywhere in Arkansas. Cannot notarize outside AR.

Q: Is formal training required to become a notary?

A: No formal training for traditional notaries, but a free online exam (80% pass) is mandatory. (Separate training/exam for eNotary/RON).

Q: Do I have to keep a notary journal or record book?

A: Not required by law, but strongly recommended by SOS.

Q: Who provides the notary seal or stamp?

A: Purchase from a private vendor after commission. Must meet AR specs (blue/black ink, name, county, "Notary Public, Arkansas," expiration, commission #).

Q: How do I renew my notary commission?

A: Online via SOS portal (amendment). Retake exam, new $7,500 bond, $20 fee. File a new oath.

Q: What if I change my name or address while commissioned?

A: Notify SOS within 30 days.

• Name change: mail form, legal doc proof; get new seal.
• Address (same county): amend online. Address (new county): transfer via new circuit clerk; get new seal.

Q: My employer paid for my notary bond and stamp. Can they take away my commission if I leave the job?

A: No. Commission belongs to the individual, not the employer.

Q: What do I do after I receive the Oath of Commission certificates?

A: Take both certs and bonds to the county clerk. Sign oaths before the clerk. Clerk files one oath/original bond. Send another file-marked oath cert to SOS. After SOS processing, get an official commission cert, then buy a seal.

Always rely on official Arkansas SOS resources for the most current information.