What must a new or renewal notary application contain

Thanks for allowing the Notary Learning Center to help you in renewing your Notary Public commission.

Because the qualifications and requirements are different for each state, use the "Select another State" menu above for information specific to becoming a Notary Public in that State.

State Contact: Office of the Secretary of State
Appointing Authority: Secretary of State

Notary Public Office:
Secretary of State
Business and Commercial Services
Victory Building
1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 250
Little Rock, AR 72201

• Be at least 18 years of age
• The applicant must be a legal resident of Arkansas or a legal resident of an adjoining state and employed in Arkansas
• The commission will be issued for the county of residence or, in the case of out-of-state notaries, the county of employment and will be valid for the entire state
• The applicant must be a United States citizen or a permanent resident alien. In the case of a permanent resident alien, a Declaration of Domicile form must be included with the application. This form can be downloaded here: Arkansas Declaration of Domicile for Notaries Public.
• The applicant must be able to read and write English.
• The applicant must not have had a prior notary commission revoked in the past ten (10) years.
• The applicant must either reside in or be employed in the State of Arkansas

Term of Office
10 years

Appointment
Secretary of State

Notary Education
Arkansas Online Notary Training

Notary Exam
Arkansas Online Notary Exam

Study Course
"Notary Public Education Course"
FREE when you purchase a Notary Supply Package at The Notary's Store

Bond
$7,500 (Ordered before receiving your commission)

Seal of Office
Rubber Stamp Seal with reproducible ink or Embossing Seal

Notary Journal
Officially recommended by the state

Step 1: Complete the Notary Public Application

• Select the "notary" drop down box to select the type of application.
• NEW Applicants will select "Notary Public Registration".
• Continue to follow the procedures to become a Notary Public in Arkansas.

New and Renewing Notary Packages
Renewing Notary Packages do not come with a notary journal

Our New and Renewal Notary Packages DO NOT include your required $7,500 Arkansas Notary Bond. The State of Arkansas requires purchasing your notary bond, which you will need to send along with your notary application.

Step 2: Purchase a $7,500 Arkansas Notary Bond you will need to order your notary bond separately.

Each applicant for the office of notary public for the State of Arkansas is required to purchase a 10-year $7,500 notary public surety bond. To order, enter the required information, scroll down through the page to locate the $7,500 Arkansas notary bond and oath form, and follow the instructions through checkout. Once you receive your official Arkansas notary bond from Notary Rotary, Inc. make a copy of the actual bond to include with your application.

Please visit The Notary's Store, you will be entering the Arkansas section for your notary supplies. We offer a New Notary Supply Package and a Renewing Notary Supply Package which includes your officially recommended Arkansas Notary Seal/Stamp and Arkansas Notary Journal, and other needed notary supplies at a special reduced price, but you will need to order your required 10-year $7,500 Arkansas Notary Bond separately. Arkansas law does not require a notary to keep a record of his/her official acts, but it is recommended to do so. A log book or journal will offer an excellent way of recalling past notarial acts. If a notary is called upon to testify in court, a log book or journal may help establish what actually took place. The Arkansas Notary Journal was specifically designed for this purpose, and contains many elements not available in other notary journals. To order, enter all required information and scroll down through the page to locate the notary packages, or you can purchase your notary supplies separately. Follow the onscreen instructions through checkout and your supplies will be sent to you as soon as your order is processed, and will be shipped usually in no more than 1-3 business day.

Step 3: Check your Application Package and send to the Secretary of State's Office

• Your completed application form
• A copy of your official surety bond
• A check or money order for the application fee made payable to the "Secretary of State" in the amount of $20.00
• If you are a permanent resident alien you will also need to include your completed "Declaration of Domicile" form.

Secretary of State
Business and Commercial Services
State Capitol
Little Rock, AK 72201-1094

Step 4: Receive your three originals of the Notary Public Certificate/Notary Public Oath forms and prepare them for filing

One original Certificate/Oath form as well as the original surety bond must be filed with the Circuit Clerk in the county of commission.

You will retain one original of the Certificate/Oath form after the clerk signs it for your own records.

Either you or the Circuit Clerk will need to return the final original completed Certificate/Oath form to the Secretary of State. You will need to check with the Circuit Clerk for instructions as each county handles this differently.

Be sure to make a copy of the actual bond for your records.

Once you have all of your paperwork and have received your supplies you will be ready to begin your duties as a notary public for the State of Arkansas.