Arkansas Notary Bond Requirements

Is a notary bond required in Arkansas?

Yes. The Arkansas Secretary of State’s Notary Public & eNotary Handbook states that a $7,500 surety bond is required as the first step to becoming a notary. Applicants must obtain either a surety bond executed by a surety insurer authorized to do business in Arkansas, or a surety contract from a general business Arkansas corporation that has registered with the Arkansas Insurance Department.

The bond protects the public. After a notary is approved and receives their commission certificate, they take the required oath and file the Oath of Commission Certificate together with the original bond with the recorder of deeds in their county of commission — in most counties this is the circuit clerk, and occasionally the county clerk. The clerk administers the oath, signs the certificates, files the original bond, and affixes a file mark.

Because the bond guarantees the notary’s faithful performance, an injured member of the public can claim against it, and the surety can seek reimbursement from the notary. Arkansas commissions notaries through the Secretary of State’s Business and Commercial Services Division.

How to become a notary in Arkansas

1. Obtain your $7,500 surety bond from an authorized surety insurer or a registered Arkansas surety-contract provider.
2. Complete the online application. Arkansas uses an online notary management system; you create or log into your notary account to apply.
3. Pass the multiple-choice exam. An exam is required for all new and renewing notary applicants.
4. Receive your commission certificate from the Secretary of State once your application is approved.
5. Take the oath and file your Oath of Commission Certificate and original bond with the recorder of deeds (usually the circuit clerk) in your county of commission.
6. Obtain your notary seal — you are responsible for buying your own seal from a stamp or office-supply vendor.

Bond vs. E&O insurance in Arkansas

The $7,500 bond is mandatory and exists to protect the public, not the notary. If the surety pays a claim, it can seek repayment from the notary. Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is a separate, optional product intended to protect the notary by helping cover legal costs and losses from unintentional mistakes. Arkansas does not require E&O insurance, so carrying it is the notary’s choice.

Renewing your Arkansas commission

An Arkansas commission runs for a ten-year term — one of the longest in the country. To renew, or to reinstate an expired commission, you file an amendment through your online notary account. Renewal applications cannot be submitted earlier than 60 days before the expiration date. Renewing applicants must also pass the exam, and because a new bond is needed for the new term, plan to have a current $7,500 bond in place and re-file it with your county recorder.

Remote online notarization in Arkansas

Arkansas provides for electronic and remote online notarization. The eNotary process has its own term, renewal, refresher-training, journal, and identity-verification requirements described in the Secretary of State’s handbook. If you want to notarize electronically or for remotely located individuals, review the eNotary sections of the handbook and complete the additional registration before performing those acts.

Non-resident notaries in Arkansas

Arkansas allows certain non-residents to serve. In addition to Arkansas residents, an applicant may qualify if they are a legal resident of an adjoining state who is employed or operating a business in Arkansas, or a non-resident spouse of a U.S. military service member employed or operating a business in Arkansas. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens, be able to read and write English, not have had a prior commission revoked in the past ten years, and not have a felony conviction.