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How to become a notary public in Arkansas

Arkansas licenses notaries statewide through the Arkansas Secretary of State (SOS).1 For the Notary Public license you need a passing score on the Arkansas Notary Public exam (online, multiple choice)1 and a criminal background check1. The board lists $20 for the application2. You renew every 10 years1.

Last checked · 7 official sources

Who issues it

Arkansas Secretary of State (SOS)

Exam

Arkansas Notary Public exam (online, multiple choice)1

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $202

Renewal

Every 10 years1

From another state

Military service members and spouses1 Details

On this page
  1. Arkansas notary public licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Notary Public license
  4. Requirements for a Notary Public license
  5. How much a Notary Public license costs
  6. How to apply
  7. Renewal and continuing education
  8. Moving to Arkansas with a license from another state
  9. Electronic Notary Public
  10. City and county rules
  11. Check a license or report a problem
  12. Laws and rules
  13. Common questions
  14. Notary public licenses in other states

Arkansas notary public licenses

Arkansas issues 2 notary public credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversExamApplication or license fee
Electronic Notary Public (eNotary)Notarizes electronic documents with a digital signature and seal through an approved solution provider, in person; eNotaries using an approved remote online notarization (RON) provider may notarize for signers who are not physically present, as long as the notary is in Arkansas.3Yes4$203
Notary PublicActs as an official, unbiased witness to the identity of a person taking an oath, giving testimony or acknowledging a signature. Arkansas notaries are not required to charge; any fee must be reasonable and agreed in advance.5Yes1$202

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every Arkansas notary public license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Minimum age
18 years old1

How to apply

Renewal

How often
Every 10 years14
Renewal fee
$2014

Who needs a Notary Public license

Acts as an official, unbiased witness to the identity of a person taking an oath, giving testimony or acknowledging a signature. Arkansas notaries are not required to charge; any fee must be reasonable and agreed in advance.5

Requirements for a Notary Public license

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Exam
Arkansas Notary Public exam (online, multiple choice)1
Given by: Classmarker (online test platform linked from the SOS notary page)6
Passing score: 80%1
When you can take it: Taken before submitting the application; the exam certificate is uploaded with the application.1
Background check
Background check required1
Applicant states on the application that they have not been convicted of a felony and that no prior notary commission was revoked in the past 10 years.1
Residency or citizenship
Must be a legal resident of Arkansas, a legal resident of an adjoining state employed or operating a business in Arkansas, or a nonresident spouse of a U.S. military service member employed or operating a business in Arkansas; and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien (with a recorded Declaration of Domicile).1
Surety bond
$7,5001
Also required
Must be able to read and write English.1
Also required
Applicant must have reviewed the notary law and understand the duties of a notary public.1
Also required
Seal of office (rubber stamp or embosser, blue or black ink) bought from a vendor of your choice after the commission is issued; the SOS does not sell stamps.1
Also required
Free online notary training and study resources are offered by the Secretary of State (not mandatory for traditional notaries).1

How much a Notary Public license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$202SOSThe traditional notary filing fee

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

  1. Buy a $7,500 notary surety bond from an authorized surety, in the exact name you want on your seal.1
  2. Create a free account on the BCS online filing portal (a new account is needed even if you had one before 01/25/2024).1 bcs.sos.arkansas.gov5
  3. Take the online multiple-choice notary exam (80% to pass) and save the certificate.1
  4. Complete the New Notary Public Application online, upload the bond and exam certificate, sign electronically and pay by card (convenience fee added).6
  5. When approved, print the two Oath of Commission Certificates and take them with your bond to the county recorder of deeds (usually the circuit clerk); sign before the clerk and pay the county fee.1
  6. Return one recorded Oath of Commission Certificate to the Secretary of State; the commission is not valid until it is filed with both the county and the SOS.1
  7. After you receive the Certificate of Commission, buy your seal of office.1

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires
Ten-year commission. Renew online (Notary Public Renewal amendment) when the commission is expired or within 60 days of expiring, with a new bond, the application fee and a passed notary exam.6
If it expires
An expired commission is renewed through the same online renewal amendment (new bond, fee and exam).1

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Arkansas Notary Public license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Arkansas with a license from another state

These are the routes SOS publishes for the Notary Public license. The other notary public licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
Arkansas does not accept another state's notary commission. Residents of an adjoining state who work or operate a business in Arkansas can apply for an Arkansas commission (county of employment), meeting all the usual requirements.1
Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
A nonresident spouse of a U.S. military service member who works or operates a business in Arkansas may apply; include a copy of DD Form 1173 or 1173-1 with the application.1

Electronic Notary Public

Notarizes electronic documents with a digital signature and seal through an approved solution provider, in person; eNotaries using an approved remote online notarization (RON) provider may notarize for signers who are not physically present, as long as the notary is in Arkansas.3

Requirements

Education or training
ENotary training course provided by the Secretary of State (delivered online by the American Society of Notaries)3
Who may teach it: Course and exam are offered online by the American Society of Notaries on behalf of the Secretary of State.3
Experience
Must already hold a traditional Arkansas notary commission in good standing.2
License you must hold first: Ar-notary-public-commission (good standing)4
Exam
Arkansas eNotary exam4
Given by: American Society of Notaries (ASN), on behalf of the Secretary of State3
Passing score: 80%2
When you can take it: After the SOS accepts the eNotary application.3
Retakes: Up to two attempts in a twelve-month period; otherwise repeat the application process.4
Background check
Background check required4
Felony-conviction attestation on the application.7
Also required
Must register with an approved eNotary or RON solution provider after passing the exam; provider fees vary.3
Also required
Must give the SOS a primary and a secondary email address.1

Fees

You pay SOS (2 fees) and American Society of Notaries (ASN) (exam fee).

FeeAmountPaid to
Application fee$203SOS
Convenience fee$53SOS
Exam fee$303American Society of Notaries (ASN)

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Hold a traditional Arkansas notary commission in good standing (you cannot apply for both at once).2
  2. File the "enotary initial application" amendment in your BCS online account and pay $20 plus a $5 convenience fee.3 bcs.sos.arkansas.gov5
  3. After acceptance, complete the online eNotary course and exam through the American Society of Notaries ($30).3
  4. Upload the training certificate by filing the eNotary Training Amendment.1
  5. Register with an approved eNotary or RON solution provider of your choice.3

Renewal

When it expires
Runs concurrently with, and expires on the same date as, the traditional commission. Renewal: application form, $20 fee and training with exam; apply no more than 30 days before expiry.1
Required topics
Refresher training through the Secretary of State every two years ($30 through ASN); access is suspended by the solution provider if not completed.4
Approved courses
Refresher course offered on behalf of the SOS by the American Society of Notaries.3
If it expires
If refresher training is late, the solution provider suspends access until training and a new eNotary amendment are completed.1

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
Only Arkansas notaries in good standing may apply; another state's electronic or remote notary commission is not recognized.2

Military service members, veterans and spouses: A nonresident spouse of a U.S. military service member who works or operates a business in Arkansas may apply; include a copy of DD Form 1173 or 1173-1 with the application.1

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Notary PublicAfter the Secretary of State approves the application, take both Oath of Commission Certificates and the surety bond to the recorder of deeds (usually the circuit clerk) in your county of commission, sign the oath before the clerk and pay the county filing fee.1

Electronic Notary Public (eNotary)No local license; eNotary commissions are issued only by the Secretary of State.3

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a notary public in Arkansas, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Arkansas is on the Arkansas license lookup page.

Look up a license
bcs.sos.arkansas.gov5
File a complaint
sos.arkansas.gov5

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

Can I transfer my notary public license to Arkansas?

Arkansas does not accept another state's notary commission. Residents of an adjoining state who work or operate a business in Arkansas can apply for an Arkansas commission (county of employment), meeting all the usual requirements.1 Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Notary Public license in Arkansas?

Every 10 years1. The renewal fee is $201.

Notary public licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. Notary Public and Enotary Public Handbook (2025)Arkansas Secretary of StateChecked November 6, 2026
  2. eNotary Public FAQ (December 2020 Edition)Arkansas Secretary of StateChecked November 6, 2026
  3. eNotary - Arkansas Secretary of StateArkansas Secretary of StateChecked November 6, 2026
  4. 21 CAR Part 20, Rules for Electronic Notarial Acts in the State of Arkansas, sections 20-101 to 20-111Code of Arkansas Rules (Arkansas State Government)Checked November 6, 2026
  5. Notary - Arkansas Secretary of StateArkansas Secretary of StateChecked November 6, 2026
  6. Notary System User Guide (July 2026)Arkansas Secretary of StateChecked November 6, 2026
  7. Act 1047 of 2021 (SB340) remote online notarizationArkansas State LegislatureDated April 29, 2021Checked November 6, 2026