For Notaries · Arkansas
How to Become a Notary in Arkansas
To become a notary in Arkansas, you must be 18 or older, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and an Arkansas resident who can read and write English. Pass the Secretary of State's free online exam (80% to pass), obtain a $7,500 surety bond, and pay the $20 application fee. Commissions last 10 years.
Need a document notarized instead? This guide covers becoming a commissioned notary in Arkansas. If you are looking for a notary today, compare where to get a document notarized in Arkansas or notarize it online in minutes.
Last updated: July 9, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
Arkansas stands out for how long its notary commissions last and for requiring an exam up front. The Arkansas Secretary of State's Business and Commercial Services division appoints every notary public in the state. Before you can even open the application, you must pass a free, online multiple-choice exam with a score of 80% or higher. You then post a $7,500 surety bond for the full 10-year term and pay a $20 filing fee. Unlike many states where commissions run four years, one Arkansas commission lasts a full decade before renewal. Once you are commissioned and in good standing, you can add an eNotary endorsement to perform remote online notarizations for signers who appear over live audio-video.
Arkansas Notary Requirements at a Glance
| Eligibility | 18 or older; a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien with proof of a Declaration of Domicile; a legal Arkansas resident (or a resident of an adjoining state, or a nonresident military spouse, who is employed in or operates a business in Arkansas); able to read and write English; no felony convictions; and no notary commission revoked in the past 10 years. |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | $7,500 surety bond, filed for the full 10-year commission term |
| State filing fee | $20 application fee, paid to the Arkansas Secretary of State |
| Commission term | 10 years |
| Notary education | No mandatory pre-appointment training course is required for a traditional commission (the online exam is the knowledge check). eNotary applicants must complete American Society of Notaries (ASN) training and exam, plus refresher training every two years. |
| Exam | Required. Before accessing the application, every new (and renewing) applicant must pass a free, online multiple-choice exam administered by the Arkansas Secretary of State, scoring at least 80% (about 24 of 30 questions correct). Applicants get two attempts within a 12-month period. |
Arkansas requires every new notary applicant to pass a free online multiple-choice exam administered by the Secretary of State with a score of at least 80% before they can access the commission application. — Arkansas Secretary of State — Notary Public & eNotary Handbook
How to Become a Notary in Arkansas: Step by Step
- 1
Confirm you're eligible
You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien with a Declaration of Domicile, able to read and write English, and either an Arkansas resident or a qualifying adjoining-state resident or military spouse who works or does business in Arkansas. You cannot have a felony conviction or a notary commission revoked in the last 10 years.
- 2
Pass the free online notary exam
Take the Arkansas Secretary of State's online multiple-choice exam and score at least 80%. You must pass this exam before the system lets you access the commission application. The exam is free, and you are allowed two attempts within a 12-month period.
- 3
Obtain a $7,500 surety bond
Purchase a $7,500 notary surety bond from a licensed bonding company, filed for the full 10-year term. The bond protects the public if you make an error in office; it is not insurance for you, so consider separate errors-and-omissions coverage.
- 4
Submit your application and $20 fee
File your notary application, with proof of your bond, through the Arkansas Secretary of State's Notary Online Filing Portal and pay the $20 application fee. The Secretary of State appoints notaries and issues commissions.
- 5
Receive your 10-year commission and start notarizing
Once approved, you receive a commission valid for 10 years. Order your official notary seal or stamp and a record book (journal), then you're ready to notarize documents across Arkansas.
How to Become an Online (Remote) Notary in Arkansas
Arkansas has fully operative remote online notarization. A commissioned Arkansas notary in good standing can apply to become an eNotary, complete American Society of Notaries training and an exam, and register with a state-approved RON solution provider to notarize for signers who appear over secure live audio-video. The notary must be physically located in Arkansas; the signer may be elsewhere.
Online / remote notary application fee: $25 eNotary application ($20 filing + $5 convenience), plus roughly $30 for the required ASN training and exam
Operative since April 29, 2021, when Act 1047 (SB 340) permanently authorized online remote notarization.
See how RON is authorized in Arkansas — and state by state →
The commission, the RON registration and the platform account are three separate things — which of them you can do entirely online sorts them out.
Walk through the Arkansas remote online notarization process →
Need a document notarized in Arkansas instead? Notarize online with a Arkansas commissioned notary.
Traditional Notary vs. Remote Online Notary in Arkansas
Arkansas allows remote online notarization, so once you hold a Arkansas commission you can register to notarize for signers who appear over live video — and take on assigned online signings.
| Traditional (in-person) notary | Remote online notary (RON) | |
|---|---|---|
| How the signer appears | In person, in the same room | Over a live, recorded audio-video call |
| Available in Arkansas? | Yes | Available now — register once commissioned |
| What you need | Seal and journal | An approved RON platform, identity-proofing, and a digital certificate |
| Where the work comes from | Local, walk-in and mobile appointments | Nationwide — e.g. assigned online signings through USA Notary |
What Does It Cost to Become a Notary in Arkansas?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State application fee | $20 (fixed by the state) |
| $7,500 surety bond (10-year term) | Premium typically about $35-$55, varies by bonding company |
| Notary exam | Free |
| Seal or stamp, journal & supplies | Varies by provider |
| eNotary / RON add-on (optional) | $25 application + about $30 for ASN training and exam |
See what USA Notary costs a Arkansas notary for platform-side details.
What an Arkansas Notary Can Charge
The costs above are what you pay to get commissioned — this is the other side of the ledger. Arkansas is one of the states that sets no statutory maximum on the in-person notarial fee, so the per-act price is whatever you and the signer agree to.
| Maximum in-person fee (per notarial act) | No cap |
|---|---|
| Maximum remote online notarization (RON) fee | No cap |
A statutory maximum is a ceiling, not a price list, and it covers the notarial act only — travel, printing and after-hours convenience are quoted as separate line items. See how Arkansas compares with every other state in the how Arkansas fees compare across all 50 states.
Verified July 2026 against the National Notary Association "Notary Fees by State" table and primary state statutes/Secretary of State rules. Several states (WA, VA, NC) raised caps in 2023–2024. Fees are per notarial act/signature; a notary may charge less, never more. Confirm your state before relying on a figure.
Renewing Your Notary Commission in Arkansas
Commission term in Arkansas
10 years
No state renews a commission automatically, and notarizing on a lapsed one is treated as acting without authority — start the renewal before the date above arrives.
For timelines, typical costs, and what to do if you've already let a commission lapse, see our step-by-step notary commission renewal guide.
Turn Your Arkansas Commission Into Income
USA Notary connects commissioned notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — so your commission actually earns. How Arkansas notaries earn · membership cost · platform requirements · other states · compare RON platforms for Arkansas notaries
Join USA Notary as a notaryFrequently Asked Questions
How long is an Arkansas notary commission valid?
An Arkansas notary public commission is valid for 10 years from the date of issuance, one of the longest terms in the country. You must renew before it expires (including passing the exam again) to keep notarizing.
Do I have to pass a test to become a notary in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas requires all new and renewing applicants to pass a free, online multiple-choice exam administered by the Secretary of State with a score of at least 80% (about 24 of 30 questions correct) before you can even access the application. You get two attempts in a 12-month period.
How much does it cost to become a notary in Arkansas?
The Secretary of State charges a $20 application fee, and you must post a $7,500 surety bond (the premium is often around $35 to $55 for the 10-year term). The exam is free. You'll also buy a seal or stamp and a journal. Adding an eNotary endorsement costs a $25 application fee plus about $30 for the required training and exam.
Does Arkansas allow remote online notarization?
Yes. Arkansas has fully operative remote online notarization, permanently authorized by Act 1047 effective April 29, 2021. A commissioned Arkansas notary in good standing can become an eNotary and, using an approved solution provider, notarize for signers who appear over secure live audio-video.
Do I need a regular notary commission before becoming an eNotary in Arkansas?
Yes. You must already hold an active Arkansas notary commission in good standing (including the $7,500 bond). Only then can you file the eNotary application, complete the American Society of Notaries training and exam, and register with an approved RON solution provider.
Do I have to be an Arkansas resident to become a notary?
Not necessarily. You qualify if you're a legal Arkansas resident, a resident of an adjoining state who is employed in or operates a business in Arkansas, or a nonresident spouse of a U.S. military service member who works or does business in Arkansas. You must also be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien with a Declaration of Domicile.
How much can a notary charge in Arkansas?
Arkansas sets no statutory maximum on the in-person notarial fee — it is whatever the notary and signer agree, disclosed before the appointment.
How much can a Arkansas notary charge for online notarization?
Arkansas sets no statutory cap on the fee for a remote online notarization.
When does a Arkansas notary commission expire?
The Arkansas commission term is: 10 years. No state renews a commission automatically — once yours lapses you cannot perform notarial acts until the renewal or reappointment is complete, so calendar the expiration date and start the paperwork early.
Where to go from here
The rest of the questions are the same in every state, so they live in one place each:
- How long it takes to become a notary — application, processing queue, and the waiting you can't control.
- What it costs to become a notary — the same line items as the Arkansas cost table, priced across every state.
- Notary bond vs. E&O insurance — which one is a state requirement and which is your own call.
- what a Arkansas loan signing agent does and earns — the highest-earning specialization once your commission arrives.
Becoming a Notary in Other States
Requirements differ by state — here are nearby West South Central guides and other popular states. See the full 50-state directory.
About the author
Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC
CEO & Founder, USA Notary Services LLC
Andrew Ray Yon is the founder and CEO of USA Notary Services LLC and the architect of the SharpNote remote online notarization platform. A Certified Notary Signing Agent since 2005, he has handled mortgage and title loan signings for two decades — personally completing more than 10,000 notarizations — and holds an MBA and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation. Based in Virginia’s Greater Richmond region, he leads the company’s strategy, compliance, and platform development.
Connect on LinkedInOfficial sources
- Arkansas Secretary of State — Notary Public & eNotary
- Arkansas Secretary of State — Notary Public & eNotary Handbook (2025)
- Arkansas Secretary of State — eNotary
- National Notary Association — How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Arkansas
This guide summarizes public requirements from Arkansas's notary authority and is for general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees can change — always confirm current details with your state before applying.