How to Become a Notary in Arkansas

How do I renew my notary commission in Arkansas?

Arkansas notaries may apply for reappointment no earlier than sixty days before the expiration of their notary commissions. The application for reappointment process is the same as the initial application for appointment process and procedures, which includes a new application, a surety bond, and the fee of $20. Every renewal application received before the sixty-day time period will be rejected and returned. To apply for reappointment as a notary public, log in to your Notary Management System Account.

Who appoints notaries in Arkansas?

The Arkansas Secretary of State appoints notaries public, processes all applications for appointment and reappointment, issues notary public commissions, and maintains the records relating to notaries. Contact information for the secretary of state is as follows:

Arkansas Secretary of State
Business and Commercial Services Division
1401 West Capitol, Suite 250
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1094
Phone: 501-682-3409 or toll free: 888-233-0325
Email: notary@sos.arkansas.gov

Can a non-resident of Arkansas apply for a commission as a notary public?

Yes. A legal resident of an adjoining state who is employed or operating a business in Arkansas may apply to become an Arkansas notary public (ACA 21-14-101[b][1]An).  Likewise, a nonresident spouse of a United States military service member who is employed or operating a business in Arkansas may apply for an Arkansas notary commission.  Non-residents must:  

1. Satisfy the same qualifications as Arkansas residents.
2. Follow the same application for appointment procedures as Arkansas residents.
3. File the original commission certificate, surety bond, and oath of office with the circuit clerk of the county where they are employed or operate a business in Arkansas.
4. If you are applying as a nonresident spouse of a United States military service member who is employed or operating a business in Arkansas, you must submit a copy of a United States Department of Defense DD Form 1173 or a United States Department of Defense DD Form 1173-1, otherwise known as a Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card.
5. List a physical residential address from the home state and the employer’s physical address in Arkansas.

Note: “An Arkansas notary commission for an out-of-state resident is only valid as long as he or she maintains employment in Arkansas or, if a nonresident spouse of a United States military service member, maintains employment or operates a business in Arkansas” (Arkansas Notary Public and eNotary Handbook).

How long is a notary public's commission term in Arkansas?

The term of office of an Arkansas notary public is ten years commencing with the date specified in the notary public commission. However, a notary’s commission may be rendered void:

1. By resignation, death, or revocation.
2. When a notary is no longer a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States. 
3. When a notary is convicted of a felony.
4. When a nonresident notary is no longer employed in Arkansas.
5. When a nonresident spouse of a U.S. military service member is no longer employed or operating a business in Arkansas.

Is notary training or an exam required to become a notary or to renew a notary commission in Arkansas?

Yes. All new and renewing applicants seeking an appointment as a notary public in Arkansas are required to complete and pass an online exam with the Arkansas Secretary of State. To prepare notary applicants for the online exam, the secretary of state offers all the answers to the exam through:

1. A free online notary training course available through the Notary Management System.
2. FAQs.
3. The Arkansas Notary Public and eNotary Handbook. 

To take the initial online exam, each applicant must first create a Notary Management System Account and log in with a username and password on the secretary of state’s website. If the applicant passes the online exam, they will be allowed to access the notary application.

How much does it cost to become a notary public in Arkansas?

To become a notary in Arkansas, you will have to pay:

1. A $20 fee to process an application for appointment or reappointment.
2. A $50 fee for a four-year, $7,500 surety bond.
3. The fee to have the oath of office section notarized on your application.
4. The fee to file your bond at your circuit clerk’s office.

Other expenses include the cost of purchasing:

1. A notary stamp (available from $21.95 from AAN).
2. A journal, if a notary wishes to adhere to the recommendations of the secretary of state that Arkansas notaries maintain a journal of their notarial acts (available from $11.95 from AAN).
3. An errors and omissions insurance policy to protect yourself if you are sued for unintentional mistakes or if a false claim is filed against you. Click here to view policy premiums and coverage. (This step is optional.)

Do I need a notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to become a notary in Arkansas?

A notary errors and omissions insurance policy is optional in Arkansas and is not required to become an Arkansas notary public or to renew your notary commission. However, the American Association of Notaries strongly recommends that every Arkansas notary obtain a notary errors and omissions insurance policy. This insurance protects you if a client sues you as a notary. A notary errors and omissions insurance policy covers unintentional notarial mistakes and pays for legal fees and damages based on the coverage an Arkansas notary public selects.

You can order an Arkansas notary errors and omissions insurance policy online at the American Association of Notaries website at https://www.arkansasnotary.com/notary-insurance.

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary in Arkansas?

Yes. An Arkansas notary bond in the amount of $7,500 is required for all new and renewing applicants seeking an appointment as a notary public in Arkansas. A notary bond can be either:

1. Executed and issued by a surety company qualified and authorized to do business in Arkansas
2. Purchased through a surety contract from a general business Arkansas corporation which has registered with the Arkansas Insurance Department and otherwise complied with all the requirements under Arkansas law.

Arkansas notaries must file their original surety bonds with the circuit clerks (recorders of deeds) for the counties in which they reside, or, in the case of a resident of an adjoining state or a nonresident spouse of a United States military service member, in the county in Arkansas of his or her place of employment or business. In addition, a copy of the surety bond must be attached to the application of appointment or reappointment sent to the secretary of state. 

You can order a four-year Arkansas notary bond online at the American Association of Notaries website at https://www.arkansasnotary.com/arkansas-notary-bond.

Do I need to order a notary stamp in Arkansas?

The Arkansas notary statute requires all notaries public to use either a rubber stamp seal or a seal embosser in blue or black ink under or near a notary’s official signature on every notarial certificate (ACA 21-14-107[b][1]). 

Notary seal dimensions: The Arkansas notary statute does not provide the legal specifications regarding the size, shape, or layout of a notary’s official seal.

Required elements of a notary seal: The official seal must include the following information:

1. The notary public’s name exactly as the notary writes his or her official signature.
2. The name of county where the notary’s bond is filed.
3. The words “Notary Public”
4. The word “Arkansas”
5. The notary’s commission expiration date.
6. The notary’s commission number issued by the secretary of state.

Note: The notary’s official seal must be clear and legible and capable of being photographically reproduced. The official seal may NOT include:

1. The words the “Great Seal of the State of Arkansas”
2. An outline of the state of Arkansas.

The American Association of Notaries offers quality notary stamps and seals at savings of up to 40% or more compared to the same products elsewhere. Click here to order your Arkansas notary seal, complete notary package, and other notary supplies.

How much can an Arkansas notary public charge for performing notarial acts?

Arkansas notary fees are not set by state notary statute. Section 21-6-309an states, “A notary public authorized to perform notarial acts in this state may charge and collect a fee for a notarial act if:  

1. The fee is a reasonable amount as determined by the notary public.
2. The fee is disclosed to and agreed upon by the client or principal before executing the notarial act.”

Arkansas notaries may not overcharge notarial fees; to do so is punishable by a fine of no less than $100 for each offense (ACA 21-6-309[b]).

Is a notary journal required in Arkansas?

A notary journal (also known as a record book, log book, or register book) is your first line of defense in proving your innocence if a notarial act you performed is questioned or if you are requested to testify in a court of law about a notarial act you performed in the past. A properly recorded notarial act creates a paper trail that will help investigators locate and prosecute signers who have committed forgery and fraud. Properly recorded notarial acts provide evidence that you followed your state laws and notary’s best practices.

 

Notary journal requirements in Arkansas:

• Traditional Notarizations – Arkansas notaries are not required to keep a record of their official acts, but the secretary of state recommends that each notary keep a register or journal. The journal can be maintained on a tangible medium or in an electronic format.
• Electronic Notarizations (In-Person Electronic Notarizations and Remote Online Notarizations) – An Arkansas eNotary is required to keep a secure electronic record of all electronic documents notarized.

 The American Association of Notaries offers a wide variety of notary journals.

Click here to purchase a tangible notary journal.

Click here to become a member and access our electronic notary journal.

What information must Arkansas notaries record in their notary journals?

For Traditional Notarizations – If you choose to maintain a notary journal, you should record the following information:

1. The date of the notarial act.
2. The type of act performed.
3. The type of document involved.
4. The name and address of each person whose signature was notarized.
5. The signature of each person whose signature was notarized.
6. A “notes” section of personal annotations.
7. An itemized list of fees collected.

For Electronic Notarizations (In-Person Electronic Notarizations and Remote Online Notarizations) – The electronic record is required to contain the following information for each online notarial act performed:

1. The date and time of the online notarial act.
2. The type of online notarial act.
3. The type, the title, or a description of the electronic document or proceeding.
4. The printed name and address of each principal involved in the transaction or proceeding.
5. Evidence of identity of each principal involved in the transaction or proceeding in the form of:
   • A statement that the person is personally known to the online notary public.
   • A notation of the type of identification document provided to the online notary public.
   • A record of the identity verification made under § 21-14-309, if applicable.
   • The following:
     i)  the printed name and address of each credible witness swearing to or affirming the person’s identity; and
     ii) for each credible witness not personally known to the online notary public, a description of the type of identification documents provided to the online notary public.
6. A recording of any video and audio conference that is the basis for satisfactory evidence of identity and a notation of the type of identification presented as evidence.
7. An audio and video copy of the performance of the notarial act.
8. The fee, if any, charged for the notarization.

NOTE: Your electronic notary solution provider should supply you with an electronic record of all electronic notarial acts performed.

Where can I perform notarial acts in Arkansas?

An Arkansas notary has statewide jurisdiction and may perform notarial acts in any county anywhere within the borders of the state of Arkansas. A notary’s jurisdiction is not only limited to the notary’s county of commission. Likewise, a notary public may not perform notarial acts outside the state of Arkansas.

What notarial acts can an Arkansas notary public perform?

An Arkansas notary public is authorized to perform the following notarial acts (ACA 21-14-104 through 21-14-106):

• Taking acknowledgments
• Administering oaths or affirmations
• Protesting instruments
• Swearing witnesses
• Taking affidavits
• Taking depositions under Rule 28 of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 28 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
• Performing copy certifications of non-recordable documents

Note: Depositions that are not attested to by a certified court reporter will not be accepted in Arkansas courts in accordance with the Arkansas court rules. Arkansas notaries who are not certified court reporters should not accept depositions as an act of their notarial office.

Can I perform electronic notarizations in Arkansas?

Yes. In Arkansas, an eNotary can perform electronic notarizations for remotely located individuals (also known as RON). Remote Online Notarizations involve the signing of electronic documents with an electronic signature and electronic seal and using an approved solution provider.

What is the process to become an Arkansas electronic notary public?

To become an electronic notary (eNotary), an applicant must be an Arkansas notary in good standing and:

1. Complete the Online Application for Electronic Notary Commission, which requires a $25 fee to be paid electronically ($20 application fee and $5 convenience fee).
2. Upon notification of acceptance of the application, complete the eNotary training and exam.
3. Upon successful completion of the exam, register with an approved solution provider.
4. Take a refresher course every two years.

Can I perform online notarizations in Arkansas?

Yes. In Arkansas, an eNotary can perform electronic notarizations for remotely located individuals (also known as RON). Remote Online Notarizations involve the signing of electronic documents with an electronic signature and electronic seal and using an approved solution provider.

How long is the term of an electronic notary in Arkansas?

The electronic notary (eNotary) term runs concurrently with the traditional notary public commission. After renewing your traditional notary commission, you can reapply for your electronic authorization.

How do I update my address on my Arkansas notary commission?

An Arkansas notary must file an address change with the secretary of state online using the Notary Management System within thirty days of a change in their address. 

If the address change involves a change of county (or a new county of employment for nonresident notaries and nonresident spouses of U.S. military service members) the Arkansas Secretary of State will issue a certificate verifying the notary’s new county of residence (or the nonresident notary’s new county of employment).

The notary must then file with the circuit clerk of the new county of residence (or new county of employment) their original bond or certified copy of their original bond. The secretary of state will then issue a new identification card reflecting the change in county of commission. The notary will need to purchase a new notary seal that reflects the new county of commission.

How do I change my name on my notary commission in Arkansas?

Whenever there is a change in the notary’s name that involves a court order, an Arkansas notary must:

1. File your name change online using the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Notary Management System, which will allow you to print a completed amendment form.
2. Submit the printed application and a certified copy of your marriage license, divorce decree, or court document concerning your legal name change to the secretary of state.

Note: A certified copy designating the name change such as a marriage license, divorce decree, or other court document must include an official seal of the county, and many times it will have a raised or embossed seal with an original signature of the authorizing county official. A plain photocopy of the legal document will not be accepted.

1. Purchase a new notary seal that reflects your new name once the secretary of state issues you a new identification card.

Revised:

October 2023