How to become a notary in Arkansas
Eligibility, an exam, a $7,500 bond, fees and the oath, in the order you'll do them — from the Arkansas Secretary of State - Business & Commercial Services.
Step by step
- Check that you qualify — 18+, Legal resident of Arkansas; or legal resident of an adjoining state (TX, OK, MO, TN, MS, LA) who is employed or operates a business in Arkansas; or a non-resident spouse of a U.S. military service member working or operating a business in Arkansas (Act 215 of 2019). Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien (permanent residents include a recorded Declaration of Domicile); Able to read and write English; no felony conviction; no notary commission revoked in the past 10 years; must have reviewed Arkansas notary law.
- Pass the notary exam — Online multiple-choice exam required for every new and renewing applicant, accessed through the online application; 80% to pass. Upload the exam certificate with the application. A separate eNotary training exam is required for an electronic commission.
- Buy a $7,500 surety bond — $7,500 surety bond from a surety insurer authorized in Arkansas (or a qualifying registered Arkansas business), in the name you will use on your seal; a copy is uploaded with the application and the original is filed with the county recorder of deeds. Bond must cover the 10-year term.
- Apply to the Arkansas Secretary of State - Business & Commercial Services — Pay the $20 state fee. Other fees: Online card payment convenience fee; separate county fee to file the oath and bond with the circuit clerk (amount varies by county); bond premium and seal cost extra.
- Take the oath and file it — After approval the SOS issues two Oath of Commission Certificates. Sign both before the recorder of deeds of your county of commission (usually the circuit clerk) and file the original bond there; return one file-marked certificate to the SOS. The commission is not active until the SOS receives the recorded oath.
- Get your seal and journal — Seal: Required: rubber stamp or metal embosser in blue or black ink showing the notary's name, 'Notary Public', 'State of Arkansas', the county of commission, commission expiration date and commission number; must not include the Great Seal of Arkansas; must be photographically reproducible. Journal: Recommended.
Notary packages & supplies
- National Notary Association — state packages: bond, seal, journal and any required training
- Notaries.com — lower-cost state packages with bond, stamp and supplies
Bond, stamp and journal in one order; check that the package matches Arkansas's rules. Some links may be affiliate links.
Arkansas notary requirements
| Commissioned by | Arkansas Secretary of State - Business & Commercial Services |
| Who can apply | 18+ · Legal resident of Arkansas; or legal resident of an adjoining state (TX, OK, MO, TN, MS, LA) who is employed or operates a business in Arkansas; or a non-resident spouse of a U.S. military service member working or operating a business in Arkansas (Act 215 of 2019). Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien (permanent residents include a recorded Declaration of Domicile). |
| Course | Not required Free online notary training is offered by the SOS but is optional for traditional notaries. Electronic notaries must complete SOS eNotary training, with refresher training every 2 years. |
| Exam | Required Online multiple-choice exam required for every new and renewing applicant, accessed through the online application; 80% to pass. Upload the exam certificate with the application. A separate eNotary training exam is required for an electronic commission. |
| State fee | $20 |
| Other fees | Online card payment convenience fee; separate county fee to file the oath and bond with the circuit clerk (amount varies by county); bond premium and seal cost extra. |
| Surety bond | $7,500 $7,500 surety bond from a surety insurer authorized in Arkansas (or a qualifying registered Arkansas business), in the name you will use on your seal; a copy is uploaded with the application and the original is filed with the county recorder of deeds. Bond must cover the 10-year term. |
| E&O insurance | Optional |
| Background check | None |
| Term | 10 years |
| Oath / filing | After approval the SOS issues two Oath of Commission Certificates. Sign both before the recorder of deeds of your county of commission (usually the circuit clerk) and file the original bond there; return one file-marked certificate to the SOS. The commission is not active until the SOS receives the recorded oath. |
| Seal | Required: rubber stamp or metal embosser in blue or black ink showing the notary's name, 'Notary Public', 'State of Arkansas', the county of commission, commission expiration date and commission number; must not include the Great Seal of Arkansas; must be photographically reproducible. |
| Journal | Recommended |
| Max fee per notarization | No set maximum: any fee must be reasonable and disclosed to and agreed by the signer before the act (A.C.A. 21-6-309). |
| Remote online notary | Allowed Requires an electronic notary commission (online amendment, SOS eNotary training and exam, no extra state fee mentioned). RON only through an SOS-approved RON solution provider; notary must be located in Arkansas. eNotary commission runs concurrently with the traditional commission; refresher training every 2 years. |
| Renewal | File a renewal online when the commission is expired or within 60 days of expiration: new $7,500 bond, $20 fee, pass the exam again, and re-file the oath with the county. |
Arkansas has one of the longest terms (10 years). The online filing system (bcs.sos.arkansas.gov) replaced paper filing in January 2024 - accounts created before 01/25/2024 must be recreated. Moving to another county requires transferring the commission through the circuit clerk and buying a new seal; name/address changes must be filed within 30 days.
Sources: Arkansas SOS - Notary / eNotary · Arkansas Notary Public and eNotary Handbook (Rev. 1-2025) · Notary/Apostille Customer Manual (July 2026) · A.C.A. 21-14-101 (qualifications, $20 fee). Checked 2026-10. Values marked verify haven't been confirmed against an official source yet.
Earn more as a loan signing agent
Many notaries add mortgage closings: title and escrow companies pay signing agents per loan package. It needs a notary commission plus signing-agent training and a background screening.
- Loan Signing System — loan signing agent training to earn from mortgage closings ($347)
- NNA Notary Signing Agent certification — the certification and background screening title companies ask for
- Notaries.com signing agent course — budget signing agent course ($109)
Some links may be affiliate links.
Get a Arkansas notary checklist and renewal reminder
A printable checklist of every step and an email before your commission expires. Free.
Notary course and exam rules across the US
Other Arkansas licenses
Life & Health insurance license · Property & Casualty insurance license · Adjuster insurance license · All Arkansas insurance licenses · Mortgage loan officer (MLO) license
Questions
How much does it cost to become a notary in Arkansas?
The state fee is $20, plus Online card payment convenience fee; separate county fee to file the oath and bond with the circuit clerk (amount varies by county); bond premium and seal cost extra.. Add the premium for the $7,500 bond, a seal and a journal.
How long does it take to become a notary in Arkansas?
2-4 weeks.
Do I need to take a class or exam to be a notary in Arkansas?
Arkansas requires an exam, a $7,500 bond.
How much can a notary charge in Arkansas?
No set maximum: any fee must be reasonable and disclosed to and agreed by the signer before the act (A.C.A. 21-6-309)..
Can I be an online notary in Arkansas?
Yes. Requires an electronic notary commission (online amendment, SOS eNotary training and exam, no extra state fee mentioned). RON only through an SOS-approved RON solution provider; notary must be located in Arkansas. eNotary commission runs concurrently with the traditional commission; refresher training every 2 years.