Arkansas Notary

Compared to other states, Arkansas has few eligibility requirements to become a notary. The process is simple and affordable.

To become a notary in Arkansas, you must:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be a United States citizen or a permanent resident alien with proof of Declaration of Domicile.
• Be a legal resident of Arkansas, a legal resident of an adjoining state who is employed in or operating a business in Arkansas, or a nonresident spouse of a United States military service member employed or operating a business in Arkansas.
• Be able to read and write the English language.
• Not have been convicted of a felony.
• Not have a notary commission revoked during the past ten years.

Follow the steps below to become a notary in Arkansas:

1. Review the Arkansas notary law.

   All Arkansas notary public applicants are required to review and understand the Arkansas notary laws. Reading the Arkansas notary manual will help you understand duties, powers, and prohibited acts. Click here to download the Arkansas notary manual.

2. Pass the notary exam administered by the secretary of state. 

   All first-time notary applicants and notaries who would like to renew their notary commissions  have to take a multiple-choice exam and must receive a passing grade of 80% or higher. Click here to access the Arkansas notary exam.

3. Order a ten-year, $7500 Arkansas notary bond. 

   The bond is required by the secretary of state to protect the public from errors made by the notary. Click here to order your Arkansas notary bond.

4. Complete an Arkansas notary application on the state’s website. 

   Create a free account on the Arkansas Secretary of State’s online filing portal, go to “Notary Forms,” and click on “New Notary Public Application” to complete the application online. You will be asked to upload copies of the signed notary bond and exam certificate and pay the $20 filing fee online. Allow three to five days for processing of your application.

5. Download the oath of office.

   Once your application is approved, download your oath of office from your account on the Arkansas Secretary of State’s online filing portal. Take the oath of office to the county clerk in your county. The clerk will swear you in and complete the oath of office.

6. Mail your oath of office to the Arkansas Secretary of State. 

   Mail the completed oath of office to the Arkansas Secretary of State to complete the approval process. Upon receipt of the completed oath of office, the secretary of state will place you in “good standing” and issue you a certificate of commission.

7. Purchase a notary stamp and a notary journal to authenticate and record notarized documents.

   All of our Arkansas notary stamps and seals are made in house and come with a lifetime warranty. No questions asked! We will ship your notary supplies once we receive a copy of your Arkansas notary commission certificate. Click here to order an Arkansas notary stamp and a record book.